Recruitment process

To become a Career Firefighter, you’ll need to complete our Recruitment Process. Each step must be completed successfully before progressing to the next.

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The Recruitment Process

We run the Recruitment Process at a national level twice a year. It takes 6-9 months from the time you submit your application to your placement on a Recruit Training Course.

Information and Practice Day

Cognitive Testing and Psychometric Assessment

If you are successful at the online application, you will be asked to complete the tasks below. We are looking for the cognitive abilities and personality preferences needed for the role of firefighter, along with the necessary skills and knowledge to understand job-related concepts for the role.

General Ability Screen

This is a timed, 10-minute assessment that covers numerical ability, verbal ability, deductive reasoning (drawing logical conclusions from available information), and abstract reasoning (identifying patterns in nonverbal stimuli).

Candidates will undergo a cognitive verification test prior to the Physical Pre-Entry Test.

Online Application

This is the formal application stage. Make sure you’re familiar with our entry requirements.

Applications to become a Career Firefighter open nationally twice per year. Applications must be made via our careers website. Once submitted, you will receive an email to confirm that your application has been received.

Cognitive Testing and Psychometric Assessment

Cognitive Testing and Psychometric Assessment

If you are successful at the online application, you will be asked to complete the tasks below. We are looking for the cognitive abilities and personality preferences needed for the role of firefighter, along with the necessary skills and knowledge to understand job-related concepts for the role.

General Ability Screen

This is a timed, 10-minute assessment that covers numerical ability, verbal ability, deductive reasoning (drawing logical conclusions from available information), and abstract reasoning (identifying patterns in nonverbal stimuli).

Candidates will undergo a cognitive verification test prior to the Pre-Entry Physical Test.

Physical Pre-Entry Test (PPT)

The Physical Pre-Entry Test ensures that candidates who are successful through the recruitment process have the minimum level of strength and fitness for the 12-week Recruit Training Course.

The test is comprised of two parts:

1. Job-related tasks

This includes 8 exercises simulating scenarios that may be experienced by a firefighter

 2. Strength and endurance test

This includes 4 exercises that test a candidate’s general strength

You will be timed from the start of the first job-related task until completion of the last task. Your total time must be 8 minutes and 15 seconds or less.  There will be then a 7-minute rest before commencing the strength and endurance test.

To view the full physical test, download the PPT Assessment Guide [PDF, 1.2 MB]

Final assessments

You will also be required to complete 2 final assessments for:

  • Heights – you will perform simple tasks while working on a 10.5 metre ladder
  • Confined Spaces – designed to test your ability to operate and follow instructions in an enclosed space and dark, unfamiliar environment

For training guidelines see our PPT Training Tips [PDF, 2.2 MB] and PPT Training Plan [PDF, 4.7 MB].

Watch the video below to see what the test entails and how to prepare:

Practical Assessment Centre (PAC)

At the Practical Assessment Centre, you will undergo a series of individual and team activities, where you will be assessed on your ability to:

  • Work and communicate with people, both within a team environment as an individual
  • Solve problems by identifying and implementing solutions
  • Understand and follow verbal and written instructions
  • Adapt and respond to changing circumstances and cope with various pressures and setbacks while carrying out tasks
  • Display practical skills to achieve objectives

The PAC is held at a Training Centre in the following locations: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. It will take approximately 3 hours.

You will be required to complete your PAC assessment at the centre nearest to your preferred location unless prior arrangements have been made with the Recruiting Team.

Formal Interview

Successful candidates will be invited to attend a behavioural and situational based interview.

The interview will take approximately 1 hour with questions asked around the core competencies of a firefighter. There will be up to three panel members.

Check out some tips and general guidance on how to prepare (external link) for behavioural interviews.

Background Checks

After your successful interview the following background checks are required:

Police Vetting

Make sure there are no surprises by requesting a copy of your own police check before commencing the application process. The Ministry of Justice website has information on getting a copy of your criminal record (external link)

Medical Check

You will be asked to do a medical evaluation to assess your suitability for the role and to identify any potential health related issues prior to employment.

The cost of your initial medical examination will be met by Fire and Emergency New Zealand. We will ask you to arrange a pre-employment medical appointment with your usual medical centre, and a hearing appointment with an audiologist.

Reference Check

We conduct two work-related reference checks which requires your referees to fill in an online questionnaire.

Final Acceptance and 12-Week Recruit Training Course

Congratulations you’ve arrived at the final stage of the process!

You will be given a conditional offer of employment which means that in order for Fire and Emergency to confirm your training and employment, and before you can start your recruit training, we require the following:

  • Results from a police/security vetting that is satisfactory to Fire and Emergency.
  • Results from a medical screening that is satisfactory to Fire and Emergency.
  • Reference checks completed to our satisfaction that confirm your suitability for appointment and this role.
  • Confirmation that there has not been a successful application for review of your appointment.
  • Proof of your right to work in New Zealand.
  • You have passed a Physical Pre-Entry Test (PPT) revalidation just prior to the start of your scheduled course at Fire and Emergency National Training Centre (NTC).

Successful candidates will attend a paid 12-week live-in course at our National Training Centre in Rotorua. Meals and accommodation are provided for the duration of the course.

Recruit Training Courses normally commence in January, April, July, and September each year.

We'll keep in touch with you throughout the process and do our best to meet your preferred start date wherever possible. 

The Recruit Training Course is the most challenging, but the most rewarding part of the whole process. It includes studying and practicing to develop the mental and physical resilience needed to start work as a firefighter.

The reality of USAR and Live Fire training

 

Life as a firefighter after graduating from NTC

 

If you want to join us, start by showing us your courage

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