Orange Triangle

We are able to accommodate and support people with additional individual needs through the application process and also once successful and in a posting.

Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service On Call Recruitment processes is one of the fastest in the country.

We understand our On Call Firefighters have a busy lifestyle looking after their families and primary employment. Our 8 step recruitment process, from submitting your application to starting takes roughly 4 months assuming you’re successful at each stage. Pre planning is essential so you’ll need to pencil in your diary the key dates.

Should you need any further support please feel free to contact Martyn Hazelwood our On Call Liaison Officer either via email or mobile.

E: martyn.hazelwood@suffolk.gov.uk M:07935 00 99 85

On Call Recruitment Road Map 2022 2023 – click here

On Call Recruitment Road Map June 2023 to Feb 2024 – click here

On-call Fitness, Tests & Qualifications

To become a firefighter, you will need to pass fitness, practical and written tests.

Every firefighter is expected to maintain their fitness throughout their career, and will have their fitness assessed every year.

Written tests

All applicants will be required to take a maths and English test at aptitude.

You can copy and paste the  link below to try our practice test:

https://forms.office.com/e/BDBWr3WJ2F

Fitness, aptitude and practical tests

  • 20 metre bleep test (you will be required to achieve level 8.8)
  • 1 x 35kg overhead press
  • 1 x 60kg single rope lateral pulldown
  • 28kg single rope lateral pulldown: 23 pulldowns in 60 seconds
  • ladder climb with leg lock
  • confined space crawl
  • equipment assembly
  • equipment carry

Watch examples of these tests below.

Fitness, Aptitude & Practical Tests

Part of the requirements for joining the fire service include fitness, aptitiude and practical tests but they’re nothing to be scared of and can be achieved with a bit of training. Watch the videos below for an idea of what to expect:

Wholetime Fitness, Tests & Qualifications

Every firefighter is expected to maintain their fitness throughout their career, and will have their fitness assessed every year.

Written tests

All applicants will be required to take and pass the maths and English assessment. This will be completed at aptitude, we recommend you attempt our practice test by following the link below:

https://forms.office.com/e/BDBWr3WJ2F

Psychometric tests

You will be required to complete an online assessment, which will tell us more about you. It has been specifically designed to capture how you go about tackling challenges, allowing us to objectively measure how you naturally approach problems and react to changes in requirements, risk and uncertainty.

Fitness tests

To learn more about our fitness tests please click here.

Your journey to becoming a firefighter

On your journey to becoming a firefighter, you’ll be able to track your progress with our Milestone Chart. This is a record of all the important dates throughout the process so make sure to make a note of these*.

Suffolk fire and rescue service On-call recruitment dates 2023-2024

Approved to ride 5th February

Recruitment Window Opens 1st Aug 2023
Recruitment window Closes 31st Aug 2023
Information evening 18th Sept 2023
Aptitude day 19th Oct 2023
Interviews 27th Oct TBC
Medical dates 2nd Nov +16th Nov 2023
Contract start and inductions 11th-13th Dec 2023
6 week Pre-Approved to ride drills 18th Dec 2023
Approved to ride course at WTC 5th Feb 2024
Pass out parade + alerter issued 16th Feb 2024
Beginning of On-call From 17th  Feb 2024
Suffolk fire and rescue service On-call recruitment dates 2023-2024

Approved to ride 15th April

Recruitment Window Opens 1st Nov 2023
Recruitment window Closes 30th Nov 2023
Information evening 6th Dec 2023
Aptitude day 4th Jan 2024
Interviews 12th Jan 2024
Medical dates 18th jan + 1st Feb 2024
Contract start and inductions 28th Feb 2024
6 week Pre-Approved to ride drills 4th March 2024
Approved to ride course at WTC 15th April 2024
Pass out parade + alerter issued 26th April 2024
Beginning of On-call From 27th April 2024
Suffolk fire and rescue service On-call recruitment dates 2023-2024

Approved to ride 3rd June

Recruitment Window Opens 1st Dec 2023
Recruitment window Closes 31st Dec 2023
Information evening 24th Jan 2024
Aptitude day 15th Feb 2024
Interviews 1st March 2024
Medical dates 14th + 28th March 2024
Contract start and inductions 17th April 2024
6 week Pre-Approved to ride drills 22nd April 2024
Approved to ride course at WTC 3rd June 2024
Pass out parade + alerter issued 14th June 2024
Beginning of On-call From 15th June 2024
Suffolk fire and rescue service On-call recruitment dates 2023-2024

Approved to ride 29th July

Recruitment Window Opens 1st Feb 2024
Recruitment window Closes 28th Feb 2024
Information evening 6th March 2024
Aptitude day 11th April 2024
Interviews 26th April 2024
Medical dates 2nd and 26th May 2024
Contract start and inductions 10th- 12th June 2024
6 week Pre-Approved to ride drills 17th June 2024
Approved to ride course at WTC 29th July 2024
Pass out parade + alerter issued 9th Aug 2024
Beginning of On-call From 10th Aug 2024
Suffolk fire and rescue service On-call recruitment dates 2023-2024

Approved to ride 7th October

Recruitment Window Opens 1st April 2024
Recruitment window Closes 20th April 2024
Information evening 22nd May 2024
Aptitude day 20th June 2024
Interviews 1st July 2024
Medical dates 4th + 18th July 2024
Contract start and inductions 19th-21st Aug 2024
6 week Pre-Approved to ride drills 26th Aug 2023
Approved to ride course at WTC 7th Oct 2024
Pass out parade + alerter issued 18th Oct 2024
Beginning of On-call From 19th Oct 2024
Suffolk fire and rescue service On-call recruitment dates 2023-2024

Approved to ride 2nd December

Recruitment Window Opens 1st June 2024
Recruitment window Closes 30th June 2024
Information evening 17th July 2024
Aptitude day 15th Aug 2024
Interviews 30th Aug 2024
Medical dates 5th + 19th Sept 2024
Contract start and inductions 15th – 16th  Oct 2024
6 week Pre-Approved to ride drills 21st Oct 2024
Approved to ride course at WTC 2nd Dec 2024
Pass out parade + alerter issued 13th Dec 2024
Beginning of On-call From 14th Dec 2024
Suffolk fire and rescue service On-call recruitment dates 2023-2024
Recruitment Window Opens 1st Aug 2024
Recruitment window Closes 31st Aug 2024
Information evening 18th Sept 2024
Aptitude day 10th Oct 2024
Interviews 21st Oct 2024
Medical dates 31st Oct + 14th Nov 2024
Contract start and inductions 9th-11th Dec 2024
6 week Pre-Approved to ride drills 16th Dec 2024
Approved to ride course at WTC 3rd Feb 2025
Pass out parade + alerter issued 14th Feb 2025
Beginning of On-call From 15th Feb 2025
Suffolk fire and rescue service Wholetime recruitment dates to be confirmed
Recruitment Window Opens TBC
Recruitment window Closes TBC
Information evening TBC
Aptitude day TBC
Interviews TBC
Medical dates TBC
Contract start and inductions TBC
Pre course drills TBC
Training course at WTC TBC
Pass out parade TBC
Begin on stations TBC

*subject to change due to Covid restrictions. Please ensure you review all emails from us for any changes to location as required.