Firefighting is a difficult and demanding job, so we have to test whether new joiners are fit and able to perform all aspects of the role that may be required for operational duties.
Therefore, when you apply to be a firefighter, you will be required to attend an assessment to check your level of aerobic fitness and general physical capability – this will be on the same day as the practical assessment. The fitness testing is held at Five Rivers Health & Wellbeing Centre, adjacent to Service HQ in Salisbury.
For an overview of the fitness requirements for being a firefighter, click here.
You will be required to demonstrate a standard of 42 VO₂ max, which is the national minimum standard for someone joining the fire and rescue service. This is achieved by a bleep test (shuttle run), which involves running continuously between two markers 20 metres apart.
The running speed is determined by an audio bleep and the interval between the bleeps decreases as you complete each level. You will need to run for roughly eight minutes and 30 seconds to achieve Level 8 Shuttle 8, which is the equivalent of a VO₂ max of 42.3.
Please visit www.bleeptests.com for more information about a bleep test to help you to prepare, and also follow this useful guide for training to pass the bleep test. You can also watch the video below.
- Next stage – practical assessment