Choosing and deciding a career is always a serious matter and to find one that offers stability, professionalism, status, variety, prospects and attractive rates of pay can be difficult. However, a career in the Fire Service can offer all this, providing you meet the demands of a service with a first class reputation.

Should you wish to become a Fire fighter, you must be of good character and fulfill the minimum requirements.

1. Be not less than 18 years of age on entry.

2. Be fit and able to pass a stringent medical examination.

(For fire fighting, a minimum fitness level is a VO2 of 45ml/kg/min at recruit level – this is not “super fit” and can be achieved by undertaking regular exercise.)

3. Vision must be excellent in each eye. Hearing must be good in each ear.

4. Be able to pass a series of strength and aptitude tests, educational exams and interviews.

5. Educational qualifications are not necessary, although a reasonable academic background may assist recruits in their career and subsequent promotions.

All members of the Fire Service start as Fire fighters , which mean that every recruit has an equal chance of promotion to senior positions. Promotion depends upon passing statutory written and practical examinations, ability and selection by an interview panel. The first promotion is to Leading Fire-fighter, followed by Sub Officer and Station Officer ranks.

You must be prepared to serve anywhere in Northern Ireland working a 42 hour shift system as a whole time Fire-fighter.

Annual leave when you join is 28 days paid leave per year. Leave increases later in your career.

Salary scales are subject to annual review.

There are also opportunities for Retained (part time) members who respond to their local station on a 12 or 24 hour basis.  Candidates must live and work within 5 minutes of their local station and attend 1 night per week for training or weekend training as defined by the Brigade.  Details can be obtained from your local Fire Station.

The Northern Ireland Fire Brigade normally recruits during April each year. Advertisements are placed in local press, and application forms are available on each Fire Station.

In excess of 8,000 application forms are regularly distributed, of which only 1% (100) are eventually offered employment as Fire fighters. Potential applicants should be aware the competition is high, however this should not discourage the submission of an application.

You would be strongly advised to carefully consider all your career options, setting yourself realistic goals.

Should you find that you fall short of the necessary criteria to satisfy our requirements you should create your own Personal Development Plan, which ideally builds on your existing qualities and identifies your development and training needs.

Assistance to satisfy your Development needs can be sought from Careers advisors, Further and Higher Educational Colleges and of course from ourselves.

The public whom the Fire Service serves demands a high quality, professional service and we in turn demand the best employees we can find.

The Northern Ireland Fire Brigade is committed to invest in the development of its most valued assets – its employees. All we ask is that you assist us by demonstrating commitment to a first class service.