The application process involves two stages:
Stage 1. Application (25%)
Applications will open on 2 December 2024 and will close on 20 December 2024 at 23:59 hrs.
The application will include the following:
- A safeguarding statement
- Two role-related questions
- A supporting statement
These areas will be assessed against the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Leadership Framework for Leading Yourself, the Firefighter Role Profile and the national Core Code of Ethics.
You must set up your account and apply through Oracle Recruitment Cloud (ORC), the Cornwall Council's recruitment system.
Your responses and statements must not exceed 4,000 characters, including spaces.
You must meet the minimum benchmark at application to be invited to the assessment centre.
We encourage you to submit your application as soon as it's done. Though please note, once submitted, changes may not be considered for shortlisting, even if the closing date hasn't passed. You will be notified if you have been successful at this stage during the week commencing 13 January 2025.
Competent firefighters who joined CFRS before the introduction of the National Firefighter Selection Tests (2006), must take the following written tests unless they have already passed them as part of a previous recruitment process:
- Problem solving and situational awareness (1 paper)
- Understanding information
- Working with numbers
Those needing to take these tests will be offered a date and time between 27-31 January 2025.
Due to many applications, we won't give feedback to those who fail at the application stage.
Stage 2. Assessment Centre (75%)
The Assessment Centre will take place 3-7 February 2025. You will receive an invitation to attend one full day during these time periods.
The day will consist of two parts:
Part one: Practical activities to test applicants against the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Leadership Framework for Leading Yourself, the Firefighter Role Profile, the national Core Code of Ethics,
Part two: A formal interview based on the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Leadership Framework for Leading Yourself, the Firefighter Role Profile, the national Core Code of Ethics, and knowledge of the CFRS Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) and the supporting strategies.
Scoring
Scores from the Assessment Centre stage will be added to the scores from the Application stage.
Those unsuccessful at the assessment centre may request feedback relating to their personal performance. This will be via Teams or, if appropriate, in person.
Successful candidates will be able to request feedback regarding their overall performance. (For those who have progressed to the assessment centre and beyond, it is their responsibility to request feedback.)
Pre-employment
Those offered a May 2025 start date will get a conditional job offer in the week of 17 February 2025. Employment depends on passing a standard DBS check and getting references. They will then receive a contract and formal offer of employment.
Induction and start dates
Successful candidates will undertake a bespoke training course prior to appointment.
Those offered a 2025 start date will attend a non-residential training course from 6–16 May 2025 at CFRS HQ, Tolvaddon.
Candidates offered a start date in 2025 will commence work on their designated stations on 19 May 2025.
Candidates could be offered a position at any of the eight wholetime stations in Cornwall.
For questions about our wholetime transferee recruitment, please email us at peopleteam@fire.cornwall.gov.uk.