FireNet Community
AVIATION => Operational => Topic started by: Nathan on May 20, 2006, 01:06:20 PM
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Just wondered what sort of things an Airport Fire fighter gets up to when they are on duty.
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Hi Gingeriron
I've been in the Airport Fire Service for about 3 years now so i'll try and inform you as much as i can.
At the start of every shift we have a Roll Call where the officers and firefighters meet and ensure that everyone is happy with their riding position for that day. Any other relevant information is passed here too.
We then do a full inspection of the appliance (checking things like water and foam levels, lights, horns, pump operation and radio's, the locker contents etc). Each firefighter must also check his/her BA set carry out a test to ensure it is operating correctly.
We then carry out more thorough tests and inspections on certain pieces of equipment for that day (as determined by a computer generated Test and Maintenance schedule). This can range from small handlamps and small gear, up to vehicle pump performance tests and vehicle performance tests (speed, acceleration etc).
These are all tested to set standards and criteria.
From mid morning to early afternoon we train. This can take the form of internal BA heat and smoke exercises, aircraft firefighting exercises, RTA (sorry RTC!) training, ladder exercises or lectures etc. The training is quite diverse as each airport may also have an attendance commitment to incidents in the buildings and roads around the airport.
From mid to late afternoon most of the guys either go to the station gym and do some phys, or do some work on the computer. (theres always things to be reading up on or studying for)
Generally from early evening to end of shift its a stand down. This your own time to do your own things. Mainly this involves the guys sitting around putting the world to rights and moaning about hard a life they've got.
Obviously you get breaks throughout the day, and the nightshift may involve doing things like hydrant and dry riser test (which can't really be done during the daytime)
Hope this has enlightened you somewhat!
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an awful lot depends on the airport category, at cat2 and below expect much bulls***and other duties such as refuelling, ops, decorating, grasscutting etc. the higher the cat, the more the bull drops away!
(15 yrs low cat drain rodder/ ratcatcher/firefighter)
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Yes they've both helped alot, i watched Airport the other day an it just got me thinking what sort of things Airport Fire Services got up to. I suppose it is another option that i could choose if i do decide to join the Fire Service.
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You will find particularly on the lower category airports, aerodromes and airfields firefighters preform number of additional roles such as:-
- Medical Service (yes I know all firefighters do this, but on some airfields personnel may man ambulances)
- gritting runways
- refuelling aircraft
- Bird scaring
- Defrosting aircraft
Some airport fire services wherever possible will cover their local neighbourhoods under agreement with the local fire service.
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You will find particularly on the lower category airports, aerodromes and airfields firefighters preform number of additional roles such as:-
- Medical Service (yes I know all firefighters do this, but on some airfields personnel may man ambulances)
- gritting runways
- refuelling aircraft
- Bird scaring
- Defrosting aircraft
Some airport fire services wherever possible will cover their local neighbourhoods under agreement with the local fire service.
Hi, sorry this post is a bit late after the original post by Firewolf, but i stumbled across it and coudlnt beleive that it hadn't been corrected:
-gritting runways???
i don't know any airport authority that would allow their runway to be gritted !!
To put the records straight - a lot of lower and higher cat rffs are involved in the anti/de-icing of runways and taxiways - this is a fluid that is applied to to the surfaces as grit would cause considerable damage to aircraft.
Essentially if the runway is covered with ice or snow, no aircraft can take off or land, thus reducing the need for the Fire Service until the task is complete.
( a handy tool for management when the word flexibility comes into the conversation )
-refuelling aircraft???
hopefully anyone that has read chapter 8 of cap 168 will know that aircraft refuelling is one of the tasks that the aerodrome fire service can not carry out. With the obvious disastrous consequences should any clothing be contaminated with fuel.
defrosting aircraft???
Again this is known as aircraft anti/de-icing and is very rarely a task that is given to the rffs, as to do the job correctly involves working at height, which would seriously impede any response and the chance of being contaminated with fluid which is sprayed from hosereels.
Sorry if this seems a bit picky, but better to know the facts
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But the caa do know that many sites DO refuelling.we cant deny it at smaller sites. on our last formal inspection, our inspector was happy that as long as whatever we did( provided it did not cause response times to be comprimised, and we had assessed it as acceptable,and recorded it) was acceptable by them. we dont like fuelling either, but cannot escape the task.
incidentaly, our fire kit suppliers now make a quick release fuellers uniform that can be torn off like a strippers,to allow the donning of fire kit.
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BLIMEY !
Well i take your word for it steve, just go's to show where the backbone of SRG has gone these days doesn't it.
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Now that description paints an interesting picture. Do you do it to music or offer charity performances?
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ner ner ner ner ner ner nert nert - backing track for the commitments !!
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It seems that some Airport FFs do refuel aircraft as well.
See here: http://www.southendairport.net/Jobs_rffs.htm
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-refuelling aircraft???
hopefully anyone that has read chapter 8 of cap 168 will know that aircraft refuelling is one of the tasks that the aerodrome fire service can not carry out. With the obvious disastrous consequences should any clothing be contaminated with fuel.
Sorry if this seems a bit picky, but better to know the facts
Having just joined and found this topic i thought i would just say a few words about CAP168 Chap 8. Or rather Appendix 8H Chap 6
RFFS personnel and Refuelling
Direct from said CAP
6.3.1 Personnel detailed to be available to operate the facility may be engaged on other
activities provided that a response to an aircraft accident meeting the objectives of
Paragraph 6 above can be made. If fuelling of aircraft is one of the activities
undertaken, then measures to ensure that fuel-contaminated clothing can be quickly
changed, shall be in place.
6.3.2 At aerodromes where the RFF category is Special, 1 or 2, personnel designated to
operate the RFF facility may be engaged on fuelling of aircraft provided that:
a) response time(s) are not compromised;
b) they remain throughout the fuelling operation immediately available to respond.
This requires the fuelling system to be of a type which allows instantaneous shut
off, preferably by release of a handgrip;
c) that fuel-contaminated clothing may be quickly removed and personnel may
quickly don personal protective clothing appropriate for use in fire fighting
activities;
d) personnel are fully trained for all relevant duties specific to the fuelling of aircraft
and the RFFS.
Just my 2pence worth.
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Hey, has anyone got any information on the day to day life at Manchester Airport as a Firefighter, also shift patterns ,salary structure and pension scheme?????
Any info would be great....
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could anyone give me the normal shift pattern for heathrow firefighters please
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Starting on a Thursday we do, 2 days 2 nights 2 off, 1 day 2 nights 2 off, 2 days 1 night 2 off, 2 days 2 nights 8 off.
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thankyou yeebsy that is great.
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Yorkie, are you applying for a job?
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yes i have my assessment on the 22nd feb
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Are you going down to pease pottage Yorkie? same as me m8.
What airport you applied for?
22nd cant come round soon enough, good luck m8 :-))
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yes mate am 1300 at pease pottage i went for heathrow, how about you? good luck mate
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Hi Yorkie, I went for Stansted mate got mine at 9.00am
Fingers crossed for us both, hope you get it :-))
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you too mate. are you a firefighter at the moment?
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No not a fire fighter at the mo mate, hope to be at the end of this though :-))
Roll on Wednesday eh.
You any idea of the timescale of all interviews/ tests? hope they are not spread out to far apart, i hate waiting !!! ;-))
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Hi guys, My name is Cam kenyon and I registered to this forum as it is somewhere I can meet other FF or people wanting to become FF's. I am currently a Senior Fire fighter at the Christchurch International Airport,which is in the South Island of New Zealand, been here for approx 4 years now, current to that i did 13 years in the NZ Army as a FF. I had my own shift and got to the rank of Sergeant. On my days off i am a Station officer at the Rolleston Volunteer Fire Brigade.
If you want to check out my work place look at www.airportfireservice.co.nz any questions about the way we do things in new Zealand, dont be shy..
Cheers and thanks for your time
CAm
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sorry mate no idea of timescale. let me know how it goes good luck
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passed the maths paper, passed the english paper then failed on the last test by 1 point.... DAM!! :-((
How pissed was i !!!!! will re apply when vacancies come up again. 18 months !!!
Got another interview next week so not all lost :-))
Lets hope L/A comes through for me. Will just keep applying until I'm successful. One Day.
How did you get on Yorkie? Hope it was better than me :-)) good luck mate.
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mine is tomorrow mate. sory u didnt pass. did u do the group disscusion and the role play assessment?
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No role play or group discussion, it was the Maths test first then you wait for them to mark it, if you pass you then have the english test, if you pass
that you have a final memory test from a tape played at the beginning of the session so take plenty of notes when they play the tape. There is also
map reading from a really sh1t map, you are asked how many miles from fire station to a point on the map, how many turns from fire station to point on the map etc, fairly easy but just look at the map well.
When you are told results if you are taken out by the woman you've passed if one of the fire officers take you out you've failed.
Out of our group of 60 at the beginning almost 3/4 did not pass the maths test. There were only about 12 left !!
Make sure you know your fractions and how to work out volumes mate for the maths. English is just basic stuff, picking out spelling errors etc.
Best of luck to you Yorkie hope you get through mate :-))
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brilliant. thanks mate, will let you know.
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Yeesby,
That is a mad shift pattern, I guess these are 12hr shifts though, Flew out of Heathrow couple of months back also flying out of there in june. Keep up the good work, where you on that 777 shout, that is what every FF is trained for, ACTION.
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Hi, I've passed my written for BAA and the next stage is the group discussion, can anyone tell me what this is about, how long it lasts and what are they looking for?
Many thanks for your help.
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I went up for the BAA assessments on Wed 21st @ 1300, failed on the maths, even though already on fire crew at Cat 2 airport for last 3 years & would like to move into BAA, it seems the same situation as L/A, apply & sit the exams. Even though already got 90 per cent of qualifications required that a BAA Ff requires (apart from NVQ L3), even attended Serco training centre @ Teeside to do the 6 week course, but that doesn't count for anything.
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Hi daz71,
Can understand how you feel, its a bit like being retained and not getting into whole-time but all you can do is keep on trying, hope you have better luck next time. At least you have got a job to go back to at the end of the day {;0)
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Well done gonzofire, although keep focused as there is a heck of a long way to go yet. Dont forget you still have another two tests to ge before you've even been interviewed and the interview is where it counts.
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Hello Gonzofire
trouble is there's only a certain amount of times you wanna keep on trying before you get sick of trying.
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Hi carefree, thanks for that I know I'm on a long road, just hope I pass all of the stages.
daz71, Keep trying, I know how you feel, I went for London fire brigade four times and got to the interview stage on each one but did'nt get in, then I joined my local retained station where I have been for about four years and still find it great (love every Min. of it), have applied for whole-time with the brigade I'm retained with and have been turned down three times, once on application, once on written, then last year I was turned down on my interview.
Well all I'm saying is, that if you really want to be a fire fighter then keep trying, you will get there in the end dont give up.
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How did you get on Yorkie?
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no good, failed the maths. maybe next time hey!
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Sorry to hear that mate!
Just gotta keep on trying mate, good luck for next time.
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Hi, Just got a text from BAA today asking me to book a day and time to go to Pease Pottage and do my group exercise, can anyone give me some info about it, what are they looking for in the exercise, your help would be much appreciated.
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From what I remember from 2 years ago, you sit in a group of six and put in order a list of statements about team work. It will range from most important to least important and 2 assessors will watch and monitor how you work in a team.
Hope this helps
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HI careym,
Thanks for the info, what airport are you at?
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PQA's. Its what they want to hear. 'Buzzwords'!! Read up on the PQA's. Be vocal. Have an opinion on things. If I can recall correctly it was about putting the qualities of a good team member in order of importance. I got through this stage and the next one, Bleep test, but failed the PQA interview. Best of luck to you.
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Remember tho, its not the firefighter PQA's that form part of the National Firefighter Recruitment! They relate to local authority fire and rescue service applicants only.
Its the job specific competencies for the BAA firefighter role that are detailed in your application pack.
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Hi airfield17 and Fireguy1230,
Thanks for your help and I'll keep in mind what you say and what to read up on, thanks for all your help again.
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Gonzofire,
Im still on the waiting list mate. I have to re sit the physical for gatwick when it comes round again in the next couple of months and the re interview as have been wating for 2 years.
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Hi caraym,
When I was down at Gatwick they said that no one was on the waiting list, well I hope you get in this time might see you at the physical if I pass the group exercise. Goodluck
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Yeah HR archived my details even though i emailed every few months.
Good luck for yourself aswell mate
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Hi everybody. I have just read all your posts. I'm from Devon and on the 26/03/08 i am attending a physical at stanstead subject to passing and the references. I will be offered a place at Heathrow. I have currently been on the list since june 2006, at times i thought they had forgotten about me.
the reason for this post.
1. I am currently a serving retained crew manager, efad, casualty carer and all the other courses related to my role. I am going to be looking for somewhere to live/ rent within a 20 mile radius of Heathrow i have a wife and 2 children so somewhere quiet. any area names would be appreciated so i can start my search.
2. I am also loooking to stay retained. not to worrried about my role, back to basics would be nice. does anyone know of any stations currently recruiting.
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Hi 514, I'm at Heathrow, good luck with it all. Where in Devon are you? The reason I ask is we have people who work at Heathrow who come from all over. We have guys who live in Leicester, wales, Ireland, loads come from Southampton and yes I believe a couple from North Devon and they all commute. If you are definitely moving I would consider a bit further out than 20 miles, we have loads of guys live down the M3 corridor which I think would suit you especially if you go back to Devon on family visits. So you could look at Camberley, farnborough, Fleet, Hartley Whitney. Hope this helps a bit.
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Thanks Yeebsy for the info. I live between Exeter and Torquay in sunny South Devon, i'll check those areas out to see what the house prices are like and to see if there are any stations recruiting. could you give me a bit more info on the current shift patterns, I know its 12.5 hours a day.
Do all the guys travel everyday or share digs there.
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Most guys travel every day except a couple, one has a narrow boat he stays on when he's here and one dosses at a mates house when he comes over from Ireland. The shift pattern starts on a Thursday 2 days 2 nights 2 off, 1 day 2 nights 2 off, 2 days 1 night 2 off, 2 days 2 nights 8 off all 12 hour shifts starting and finishing at 7 am/pm.
Fleet, Camberley and I believe Hartney Whitney have retained stations. (I will double check tomorrow as a lot of our guys live there and are retained).
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I think you can probably get property fairly cheaply in Sipson at the moment.
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I think you can probably get property fairly cheaply in Sipson at the moment.
Cheers Big A, my coffee just spurted out of my nose.
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I think you can probably get property fairly cheaply in Sipson at the moment.
Cheers Big A, my coffee just spurted out of my nose.
Nice
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Hi bambam, good luck for trying to get in. We have got a new ALP it's the T42 (yes 42M of butt clenching side swaying stomach churning machine) most of the operators are still learning to use it, I'm marked down for an operators course but I'm having second thoughts (google Montreal fire department ALP). Anyway if you have any more questions pm me.
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Just to say good luck to all of you who are going for your role-play assessments with BAA tomorrow, let us know how you got on. {;0)
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Has anyone heard anything from the assessments that took place on the 16th and 30th?
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Hi Swiftfire,
I had my assessment role-play on the 30th of April and have justed checked my emails this week and found that I passed. The fitness test is on the 23rd or the 27th of May, they said at the assessment that it was fitness and interview but the email says it just fitness. Hope you have got good news as well, has anyone else heard?
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Congratulations! Ive had no-replay yet. I'm hoping that no news is good news...What airport did you apply for?
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Hi Swiftfire,
I'm going for LGW what about you, have you checked your email yet, also log on to the BAA site and look at your emails there, goodluck.
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Wel done Gonzo Fire take it you know about the possible sell off of Gatwick?
Like Yeebsy I am at LHR so if anyone wants advice on recrutiment drop me a message, I was on the 'waiting list' for 3 years befor I got a letter telling me there was a job for me, dont give up!!
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I was on the 'waiting list' for 3 years before I got a letter telling me there was a job for me, dont give up!!
Not long enough if you ask me. :)
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514,
Are you the new recruit from Exeter that's just picked up his new shiny fire kit?
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Hi White_elephant,
Thanks for the message and I'll email you about the interview stage, if I pass the fitness. Know they are talking about a poss. sell off at Gatwick but then they could sell off Stansted, know that a lot of people are interested in Gatwick if they do sell it, cant imagine them selling LHR, so it looks like your safe there as well as any new people who come to you. Could you send me your email address for the interview stage. Thanks for your help
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gonzofire, We doubt very much that they would sell off Stanstead as there is scope to make it a huge place, Gatwick on the other hand is as big as it's ever going to get.
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Hi Yeebsy,
Yes i know Stansted has got a lot of land was there working on the rail link about 18-19 years ago god dont time go quick. I hope they dont sell any of the airports but I know that they may be broken up. Heard that Manchester airport group is looking at Gatwick but then so will a lot of other people if it does go on the market. What have you heard about the sell off and how do you think it will impact the new people starting, if there is a sell off?
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I've heard as much as you, if and it is a big if, if they sell off Gatwick then you, as being a new lad will be in a better position as you have bugger all pension with them anyway. The lads that are there now would most likely have there pensions either transfered or frozen. I don't know all the ins and outs thats why I'm a ire fighter and not a city analyst. ;)
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Gonzofire,
Had the good news today. My physical is on the 21st at Stansted. I find that slightly odd as I applied for LHR? Does anyone know if this is correct?
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Hi Swiftfire,
It is a bit strange that you are going to Stansted to do your fitness test BUT don't knock it just get it over and done with then you can concentrate on your interview, good luck with the fitness let me know how you got on.
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Hi yeebsy, Yes it was me that picked up my new kit but you didnt put in a spoon and anyway i prefer mine smooth. :)
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Cool, we'll see you when you get back from Teeside.
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Hi all, I am currently going through the recruitment process as well, with my fitness test just a few weeks away. Any tips??
How often do BAA actually recruit from this waiting list? Does anyone know how big the list will be, or criteria for selecting the next person from the list?
Any other information would be great!
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Ooooh so many questions calm down fella! LOL!!
Ok, they recruit from the list as and when people leave basically, there is no timescale its random.
I dont know how big the list is but I would educate a guess at around 10-15 people?
The criteria im sure is how you scored at various stages through the recruitment process, i.e those that scored best will get the next positions as and when they become available.
RE the fitness tests, nothing too hard, a good level of fitness and strength and you will fly through, nothing to worry about.
514 - YARM YARM YARM!!!!!!!
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514 - YARM YARM YARM!!!!!!!
Shudder!!
Tall Trees, Black Bull...Tuesdays will never feel the same again!
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Maybe, however Tuesdays in Yarm are always a good excuse for a feel! LOL!
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Typical, one track mind. You are one mucky pup W_e. I'm surprised it's not fallen off yet!!
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LOL!
How rude you are making me out to be a right man whore!
Well actually..... now you come to mention it!
Now go prepare you're lectures! ;-)
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i have my fitness and hopefully interview at stanstead on 23rd June. I have had an interview for la fire service before in surrey at passed it, but still quite nervous, What sort of things are the asking. Is it the questions like, "tell me a time when you have helped someone else to achieve a goal?" also have the mentioned when you have ot have medicals? is it as and when aplace comes up or before you go on the waiting list?
Just some general questions aswell if anyone knows. what is the current pay at stanstead? and how much holiday do you get? and finally, if we get in and have to go to the training school in Teeside i think it is. is that residential?
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Have a search about there are plenty of interview tips on here fella, look at the recruitment pages.
Secondly, Teesside is residential.........
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Hi White_elephant
Thanks for your answers! I am fairly happy with my written test results, but struggling a bit with my fitness at the moment! Training hard every day, but still not quite there yet, with only 2 weeks to go! Any tips?
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Firedaven41,
What is it that you are struggling with?
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Stick with the CV stuff and forget the weights side of things, do a interval run, say you do 5kms, do 500m fast, 500m slow, that sort of thing, buid up the distances and speeds, but for gods sake dont over do it!!
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It is the CV stuff i'm struggling with. Have been practising the Bleep Test twice a week, with training in between. I am managing level 8 ok, but obviously there is still a way to go!! I am hoping shear determination will get me through!
I am beginning to get a bit soar now though!
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After saying how confident I was with my written test results, i spelt sore wrong!
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Ha ha! Dont worry about that fella, they cant fail you on spelling!!
Keep going with the CV stuff pal, pop into your local gym and get a bit of advice.........
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hello all,
i have a question i was hoping that any serving baa firefighters may be able to answer.
i know that when ferrovial took control of baa they stopped / tried to stop the final salary pension to all new employees. did this happen? if i am successful and get offered a job as a firefighter with baa what pension can i expect to get if i serve until retirement? i know it will vary on how high (or not!) i get in the service, and will i be contributing to it myself? apologies if this is well published somewhere but ive looked and cant find it!
kind regards,
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Its not been decided yet, so currently you will get the deal we are on now...........
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Pukka, at the moment the 2 thirds final is open to all contracted staff, however, the company want to stop the final salary pesions scheme to new starters. This has not happened yet as the company is still in talks with it's members. If they do go down this route I have no idea what new members will be offered. Still I doubt anything concrete will happen within the next couple of months so if you are quick enough you may just scrape in. Even then from what I've read, if the company stop final salary to new starters it appears that the final salary for existing members will only be garanteed for a maximum of 12 years.
As for contributions, we all put into it and I believe it's about (for me anyway) 6.5%.
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Thanks White_Elephant, much appreciated!
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Welcome pal, like I said it could all change as yeebsy says, its all up in the air, so not much to tell really bloke.
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ok thats cleared that up for me, thanks a lot.
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Would you reconmend me to go to college because i want to be a fire fighter for the BAA and what courses would i take if i do?
Thank You
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You might find English language beneficial.
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You might find English language beneficial.
Harsh but true.
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"Isn't it funny, how if you sit in a library and scream, everyone looks at you and tuts...but do the same thing on an aircraft and everyone joins in!"
Your signature cracks me up!
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"Isn't it funny, how if you sit in a library and scream, everyone looks at you and tuts...but do the same thing on an aircraft and everyone joins in!"
Your signature cracks me up!
Tickled me first time I heard it.
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hi
just wondering if there is anyone here who could help me find out any info to apply for a airport firefighter,
at the moment i am a retained firefighter and really enjoy it.
any help would be great
thanks pete
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Go to BAA.com/careers and register your details, they then email you when they're recruiting. I'd assume for non-baa airports, you'd have to call their own HR department for info.
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Can anybody please tell me the salary that the BAA pay first for new starters then once qualified and after sucsessful probation thanks
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BAA Ff pay scales vary from airport to airport. Heathrow get the most, Southampton the least.