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Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service to trial changes to entry criteria for firefighters
Overview
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is set to trial changes to its hiring process for wholetime firefighters in early 2027 to remove unnecessary barriers and attract a more diverse workforce. The trial will lower minimum qualification requirements from five GCSEs to a Level 2 qualification, introduce treadmill assessments as an alternative to bleep tests, incorporate behavioural assessments using realistic scenarios, and modify the swim test.
Key points
- Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service announced a trial of new entry requirements for wholetime firefighters starting in early 2027.
- Minimum qualifications will be reduced from five GCSEs (including Maths and English) to a Level 2 qualification, which is equivalent to two GCSEs.
- The changes follow feedback from focus groups held in Peterborough last year involving various community groups and ages.
- The trial will offer a treadmill assessment for candidates who fail the bleep test.
- Behavioural assessments utilizing realistic scenarios will be introduced during the interview stage.
- An element of the swim test will be removed as part of the trial adjustments.