London Fire Brigade Recruit Training

[luke159]

Hi i am starting recruit training on the 4th December with the London Fire Brigade and have been unable to find any information as to what to expect / how best to prepare. I have my induction day in two weeks and imagine I will get a lot of information then but I like to be as prepared as possible and was hoping to get some insider knowledge!

Any help on fitness requirements, anything I'll need to buy kitwise and any other handy hints will be much appreciated!

Thanks, Luke

[Game on]

Try www.fireservice.co.uk there are lots of people on the bullletin board going through the same process as you and may even be on your course.

[luke159]

Thanks but I've already tried to get onto that site with no success. It will only allow me to see / post messages after i have logged on but every time I have tried it says that they aren't accepting any new registrations!?!

[Cut Fire Service Pay]

There's no real secret to it, its a bit of an old chestnut but keep your eyes open and mouth shut. There is alot to take in and you will always get those on the course that have been retained and think they know everything, well they dont. (no offence to the majority of retained)

There is a lot of theory to take in and some of it is mind numbingly boring! As for fitness, well you'll be running around alot in fire kit hose running and the like so it pays to stay in shape. Each brigade/training centre runs their courses differently but they all have to meet the home office standards. Ladders, hoses, pumps (alot of theory as well as practical), hydraulics (zzzzz) and not just the cutting and spreading type! Breathing apparatus which for those totaly new to it can be a daunting experience but vital in todays service and very enjoyable. There are also the interesting delights of building construction theory not to mention all of the new dimension and water safety stuff!

My advice is turn up and enjoy, its a fantastic career & job if you can ignore all of the side issues such as rank to role and IRMP (well for the moment at least). O and don't be put off by the course winger as every course has one!

Good Luck hope it helps a bit.

[luke159]

Many thanks Pete for the advice. I'm looking forward to the course so I'm hoping my enthusiasm should carry me through. I've noticed a couple of the "side issues" you mentioned whilst looking around this site but I think you find that in most jobs nowadays. What with being new and everything being all white and fluffy to start with hopefully I won't have to worry about any of them for a while!

It's the basics of the training course I want to get under my belt to start with, such as what time is the best to get to the station (roll call is at 8:30 but I've heard it gets real busy at around 8ish). I'm coming from essex so I kinda need to plan my travelling arangements pretty well in advance!

[Mike Buckley]

Don't be late!!!!!!!! I would advise get there early, if you find you are very much too early you can alter your travelling in line with this. Remember to build in time for possible delays on your transport missing trains, buses, breakdowns etc.

The training course will be harder and stricter than the rest of your career. Remember that during the course it is the light at the end of the tunnel.

The main rule is give everything you've got and more, particularly on the physical side with the drills.

Best of luck with your career, I enjoyed my time in the FS and never regretted joining.

[luke159]

Thanks Mike. I'm keen to get to there ASAP every morning as I imagine that in the eyes of the training team being late is high on their most serious crimes list! I think I'll do like you said, get there stupidly early to start with and then work out how long it takes me to get ready and adjust accordingly.