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Firefighter

Royal Air Force • Internship • United Kingdom • 12m ago

Currently recruiting

Helping people Sport & fitness Travelling the world

INITIAL ANNUAL PAY

£26,300+

+ BENEFITS

As an RAF Firefighter you will provide 24/7 fire and crash rescue protection. You will be organised and trained to respond to any emergency with highly specialised equipment like powerful cutting tools.

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What will you do?

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What will you do?

Requirements & eligibility

Apprenticeship information

Career, training & education

Benefits

Application process

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What will you do?

RAF Firefighters provide a deployable Aerodrome & Rescue Firefighting capability to Defence in the UK and overseas. You could:

Play a role in Air Operations when deployed in the UK or Overseas
Work as part of a close-knit team, deployable on short-notice to any location world-wide
Resolve incidents involving aircraft, buildings, hazardous substances and incidents caused by hostile activities

Requirements at a glance

Be aged 17 – 47 (Must attest before 48th birthday)
Have GCSEs at Grade C/4 or Scottish National 5 at Grade C in English Language and Mathematics/Application of Mathematics or equivalent qualifications including Functional Skills
You will need to meet specific Nationality and Residency criteria. Please see full details in the Entry Requirements section below
Commit minimum 3 years post Phase Two Training
Meet the health and fitness criteria
Pass the Defence Aptitude Assessment
Pass a Fitness test - Details below
Attend a Specialist Interview at Moreton-in-Marsh

View all entry requirements below

ENTRY

REQUIREMENTS

You must be aged between 17 and 47 years old (Must attest before 48th birthday).

Applicants must also read all of the sections below and make sure they meet all entry requirements before submitting an application.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

You must have GCSEs at Grade C/4 or Scottish National 5 at Grade C in English Language and Mathematics/Application of Mathematics or equivalent qualifications including Functional Skills.

Candidates do not need a driver's licence to apply for this role. However if you already hold a full UK manual licence, and are under the age of 20 years and 6 months at the time of applying, the licence must be free from record of conviction or penalty points, including any driving ban (even it has expired) as these preclude the holding of an LGV category licence. Candidates over this age with unexpired penalty points may be considered for the role.

If your qualifications are not listed, or you do not have any qualifications, please Contact Us to learn more about how you can join the Royal Air Force.

NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

BACKGROUND CHECKS

DISQUALIFYING FACTORS

If you don’t have any of the above, you might still be able to apply. For more information please contact us.

Apprenticeships available

The RAF is one of the largest providers of diverse apprenticeships in the UK. We offer these apprenticeships for this role:

Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Operational Firefighter

This occupation is found in 45 Fire Services across England as well as other organisations who have their own fire services such as the RAF, Airports, Ministry of Defence and those dealing with explosives and chemicals. Therefore, although the role is predominantly found in the public sector, there is a need for operational firefighters in the private sector. The size of the employer will vary but will tend to be medium to large in size.

View full details

Meet Brad

Hear about Firefighter and former apprentice, Brad’s time learning on the job and developing in his role.

CAREER, TRAINING

& EDUCATION

At any level or position your personal success is vital to make us succeed too. We are dedicated to your future, as it is essential to ours. You will receive basic and specialist training in your field and we even provide the option to pay for your education. The experience you gain with the RAF will equip you to work at the top of your field, both in the UK and overseas.

Phase one training

Basic Recruit training

10 weeks

RAF Halton

You’ll complete the Basic Recruit Training Course at the RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire.

Phase two training

Specialist training

14 weeks

DFTU Moreton-in-Marsh

The 14 weeks specialist Firefighter training course takes place at the Defence Fire Training Unit Moreton-in-Marsh.

First tour

Specialist training

4 months

As assigned

For your first tour you will be posted to one of eight UK RAF bases where you will work as part of a tight-knit team.

Additional qualifications

Ongoing development

Ongoing

As assigned

You'll have the opportunity to pursue other qualifications as part of your training and throughout your career.

Your career prospects

Ongoing development

Ongoing

As assigned

After a year, you will be eligible for promotion to Air Specialist (Class 1) if you pass a series of Trade Ability Tests.

Continued development

Ongoing training

Ongoing

As assigned

As your career progresses, we will continue to develop you in new skills.

Transferrable skills

Ongoing training

Ongoing

As assigned

Much of our in-house training is accredited and/or recognised by external awarding bodies.

WHY JOIN

THE RAF?

Thanks to subsidised food, travel, accommodation and free gym you get more money in your pocket.

Rent from £75p/m

Free gym

Subsidised food

Health care

World travel

Training

View all benefits

WHAT HAPPENS

AFTER APPLYING

Joining the RAF takes several steps. Below is an overview of the process. The purpose of this process is for us to gauge whether you’re the right person for the RAF and for you to show us all of your skills and experiences that have made you who you are.

Aptitude test

Stage 1 of 7

The aptitude test has been designed to ensure you’re a good fit for the role you’re applying for. You’ll answer six multiple choice sections which each focus on a different skill:

Verbal reasoning - use and interpretation of written information
Numerical reasoning - ability with basic fractions, decimals and formulae
Work rate - speed and accuracy of tasks
Spatial reasoning - how shapes and objects work
Electrical comprehension - working with electrical concepts
Mechanical comprehension - grasp of mechanical concepts

Click here to try the online practice test.

Selection Interviews

Stage 2 of 7

Here’s where we get to know you a little better. You’ll get to showcase your skills and experience, and we’ll answer any questions you have about joining us. Your interview will take place at a local AFCO and cover the following topics:

Family life
Education
Work experience
Special interests and hobbies
Interest in the RAF
Training
The role you’ve applied for
The RAF

You’ll be asked a series of standard questions, and you’ll be able to ask your own questions during the debrief afterwards. Some roles require a second interview and/ or test to determine your suitability. These are normally conducted over a 1-3 day period at an RAF base where you’ll be able to see, and experience, the kind of environment you’ll be working in. Details about which interviews are relevant for you will be provided during the application process.

Health Assessment

Stage 3 of 7

You’re legally required to meet certain medical standards, and must pass an occupational health assessment to show you’re fit for military duty. As part of this assessment we will check your overall health, focusing on areas like hearing, eyesight and body mass index.

We’ll also investigate any past illnesses and screen for health issues that may prevent you from carrying out your role. Please refer to entry requirements below for more information about the health standards you’ll need to meet.

Fitness Test

Stage 4 of 7

A good level of fitness is critical to joining the RAF, it’s also something that must be maintained throughout your career. You’ll need to complete a Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFC). This will take place at a local gym, and is a 2.4km run.

The performance level you’ll need to meet differs by age and gender. You can also find help, and a training plan, to assist you in your preparation here.

Specialist Interview

Stage 5 of 7

If you are successful with all previous requirements, you will then be further assessed through selection tests at the Defence Fire Training Unit in Gloucestershire. These are:

Chester Treadmill Test. This is a 12-minute graded, treadmill walk.
Weighted Pull Down Strength and Endurance Test to gauge upper body strength
Confined Space Test
Working at Height Test
Casualty Evacuation Test
Equipment Assembly Test
Ladder Lift Test
Equipment Carry Test
Appliance Functional Test
Five minute Presentation

See here for more information about the Specialist Interview at Moreton-in-Marsh

Acceptance

Stage 6 of 7

Once you’ve successfully completed each phase of the application process you’ll be invited to a provisional offer of service interview at your nearest AFCO. This is to ensure that you understand the terms and conditions of service in the RAF, are fully committed to joining, and prepared to commence training.

Training

Stage 7 of 7

Basic Recruit Training

This takes place over 10 weeks at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. It will make you fitter and more confident. It will challenge you mentally and physically, and it will prepare you for your career with us. There are 6 phases:

Arrival - You’ll be sworn into the RAF and be given a service number
General Service training - You’ll learn about marching, drills, core values and our code of conduct
Initial Force Protection training - Fighting and survival in a military environment
Exercise Blue Warrior - 4 days in the field with real battle conditions
Force development training - Apply your skills in new environments with adventurous training activities
Graduation - Learn about what’s required in your first post and display your new skills.

What next?
Now you’re a fully-fledged member of the RAF you can receive role specific training.

APPLY

NOW

Got what it takes? Start your application here.