FIREFIGHTER INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The complete guide to unlocking and passing the UK firefighter interview process.
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ABOUT THE FIREFIGHTER INTERVIEW
If you have reached this stage of the selection process then the Fire Service are interested in employing you and they want to meet you face to face in order to see what you are like as a person, and also whether you really do have the skills required to become a firefighter.
- It is a well known fact that the firefighter interview is tough to pass.
- Coupled with the fact that Fire and Rescue Services rarely recruit for wholetime firefighters it is essential that you put in plenty of preparation. If you want to pass the interview then you certainly can do it!
- There is no luck involved; it is all about how you come across during the interview and also how you provide evidence of where you meet the assessable behaviours that are relevant to the role.
PREPARING FOR THE FIREFIGHTER INTERVIEW
If I was preparing for the interview today, I would first of all ask myself the following three questions:
Q1. What areas will the Fire Service assess me on during the interview?
Q2. What would they expect to see from successful interview candidates?
Q3. Can I provide ‘evidence’ of where I meet the assessable qualities?
TOP 3 TIPS TO HELP INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF SUCCESS
TIP 1 – DRESS FOR THE INTERVIEW APPROPRIATELY
You need to dress smart for the firefighter interview. Remember, you are applying to join a disciplined and uniformed service, therefore, you need to demonstrate that you are smart, organised and professional. Wear a smart formal outfit, get your hair cut, clean your shoes and have a shave! (men).
TIP 2 – PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF WHERE YOU MEET THE NFCC LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK BEHAVIOURS
Before you go to the interview make sure you can come up with examples of where you meet each and every one of the behaviours that are relevant to the role. By carrying out this piece of advice you will be fully prepared for the firefighter interview questions.
TIP 3 – SOCIAL MEDIA (BE CAREFUL!)
Many of us have Facebook accounts and Twitter accounts, right? Well, if you do have an account be careful what you post on it! Would you feel comfortable if a member of the Fire Service interview panel could see what posts and photos you had uploaded?
Now I am not saying that the interview panel will go on your Facebook account to vet you, but if they do, would you be happy with what is on display right now? If you have any concerns then either delete offensive posts or limit the access to your Facebook account in the security settings.
Career defining knowledge.
In this video Richard McMunn shares some sample Firefighter interview questions and answers:
THE BEST WAY TO PREPARE FOR THE INTERVIEW
The interviewers will be looking for ‘evidence’ of where you can match the assessable qualities. The word evidence is pivotal and I suggest you have it at the forefront of your mind during your preparation. You have to provide as much evidence as possible as to how you match the assessable qualities.
The reason for this is simple: Anyone can say that they are a good team-worker or good at working with people from different backgrounds; however, providing evidence to back it up is a different thing altogether. So, during your preparation you should concentrate on providing specific examples of where you can meet the qualities being assessed, more on this later.
- You should also think very carefully about why you want to become a firefighter. It’s all well and good saying that you’ve wanted to do this since you were a little boy or girl, but responses like this will gain few marks.
- You have to have a genuine reason for wanting to join; something like ‘wanting to make a difference to your community’ is a much better reason for wanting to join. Firefighters are caring people, which is why they have so much respect amongst members of society.
Finally, and this is just a big a factor than any other, your ‘ likeability’ will be key to your success. Yes, there are rules and guidelines that the interviewer must adhere to when interviewing potential candidates, but you can never take away the personal element. You should try hard to come across as a genuine, reliable, professional and a conscientious individual.
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE FIREFIGHTER INTERVIEW CHECKLIST PDF BELOW:
PASS THE FIREFIGHTER INTERVIEW
- The type of questions you will get asked during the interview and how to answer them;
- Key areas that you need to research;
- Actual interview questions and sample answers;
- How to match the competencies;
- Creating the right impression at the firefighter interview;
- Key preparation tips and advice;
- What the interview panel assessors want to see and hear from you;
- Overcoming interview nerves on the day of your interview.
Sample Firefighter Interview Questions
Q. “Can you tell me about a time when you have contributed to the effective working of a team?”
“I like to keep fit and healthy and as part this aim I play football for a local Sunday team. We had worked very hard to get to the cup final and we were faced with playing a very good opposition team who had recently won the league title. The team consisted of 11 players who regularly spend time together during training sessions and at social events. After only ten minutes of play, one of our players was sent off and we conceded a penalty as a result. Being one goal down and 80 minutes left to play we were faced with a mountain to climb. However, we all remembered our training and worked very hard in order to prevent any more goals being scored. Due to playing with ten players, I had to switch positions and play as a defender, something that I am not used to. Apart from being a defender I felt my role was to encourage the other players to keep going and to not give up until the final whistle had sounded. All the other players supported each other tremendously and the support of the crowd really pushed us on. The team worked brilliantly to hold off any further opposing goals and after 60 minutes we managed to get an equaliser. The game went to penalties in the end and we managed to win the cup.
I believe I am an excellent team player and can always be relied upon to work as an effective team member at all times. I understand that being an effective team member is very important if the Fire Service is to provide a high level of service to the community in which it serves. However, above all of this, effective teamwork is essential in order to maintain the high safety standards that are set.”
Pass the Firefighter Selection Process. First Time.
Crafted for everyone, no matter your skill level or background, this guide was made to help you achieve one goal: successfully join the fire and rescue service.
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?
Scoring Criteria
Essential information about how you will be assessed during the interview stages of the selection process.
UP-TO-DATE FOR 2025
All questions have been verified by our interview panel experts for the 2025 firefighter interviews.
SAMPLE RESPONSES TO EACH INTERVIEW QUESTION
Sample answers to help you construct your own winning firefighter interview responses.
CAREFULLY CONSTRUCTED RESPONSES
Constructed answers for each question so you can be confident in learning and improving your score.
INSIDER SECRETS
Insider tips on how to answer the interview questions using the competencies and behaviours, and advice on how you will be scored.
SCORE-BOOSTING STRATEGIES
Get ahead of the competition with unique and proven strategies 16 years in the making.
Customer Success Stories
Having helped 1,000s of aspiring firefighters for over 16 years, it is no wonder our customers love us…
Useful to get prepare to become a firefighter.
Useful and informative with lots of tips and extras – makes you think and question yourself. – very helpful.
I was very pleased with how the book is set out, its a step by step guide which really does put you into the situation. Since, i have passed my interview and now i am a fire fighter. I highly recommend this!
Good buy good book. Passed my interview on my first attempted. Will recommend to friends in future.
Definitely a good book for those applying to be a firefighter or just wanting to get an understanding of what questions could be asked within any interview!
It gives detailed responses as to structure and answer many different Personal Qualities and Attributes questions that could be raised.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR CAREER PACK?
- Lots of sample interview questions to help you get ready for your firefighter interview.
- Questions that are guaranteed to be very similar to the ones you will actually sit during the real firefighter interviews.
- Advice and tips included that have been written by a former member of the emergency services.
- Written in conjunction with former serving firefighters.
- How to match the firefighter Leadership Framework behaviours in your responses.
- Sample answers to every interview question, so you can draft your own winning responses.
- The importance of ensuring you meet the minimum eligibility requirements (and understanding the role of a firefighter – hint: you will need to demonstrate this).
- Why becoming a firefighter right now is a fantastic career choice.
- Score-boosting methods verified by our panel of recruitment experts.
- Suitable for all UK fire and rescue services.
PLUS…BONUS!
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PLUS…30-Day Free Subscription Trial To The Online Firefighter Testing Platform!
As well as life-time access to the Firefighter interview download, this product also includes a 30-day free trial to Online Firefighter Testing Platform (usually £9.99 + vat per month).
- 100s of questions on each element of the Firefighter assessment process to help boost your scores!
- Practice all of the test questions under timed conditions using our online testing suite.
- Instant online access.
- Compatible on mobiles, tablets and computers.
- Scores are tracked so you can focus on areas that need improvement.
Important: This powerful free trial costs £5.95 + vat every month for everyone else! You will get unrestricted access to all of the quick-win strategies to give you the advantage right away.
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BONUS
PLUS…”Tell me about yourself” PDF guide by Richard McMunn
As well as life-time access to the Firefighter interview download, you will also get Richard McMunn’s brilliant response to the firefighter interview question, “Tell me about yourself” in a PDF guide.
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Discover why the Fire Recruitment Officer is asking you this interview question. (NOTE: There are 2 reasons why!)
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Get the 8 powerful words to use during your firefighter interview.
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You will get the perfect example answer to this firefighter interview question!
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✓ Key areas that you need to research;
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✓ Loads of sample questions and tips like this on how to respond;
✓ How to match the Leadership Framework criteria;
✓ Key preparation tips and advice;
✓ What the interview panel assessors want to see and hear from you.
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