National Firefighter Selection Tests

THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT UNIT
Supporting assessment for development and selection across the FRS
Confused about the National Firefighter Selection process and how it relates to transferring from the Retained Duty System to Wholetime Duty Systems? We are grateful to Sue Evans at the National Assessment Unit for providing the following article on what is happening nationally to progress this important issue. 
National Processes and Retained Duty System (RDS) staff
The national processes for assessment for recruitment, selection and progression have been designed for use with all staff groups irrespective of duty system or conditions of service. The processes are being used to provide access to fair, open and objective assessment for all staff. The assessment processes are based on the Personal Qualities and Attributes which have been agreed for each level.
Whilst the difficulties of implementing national processes are recognised FRAs are required to apply these to all staff and the National Assessment Unit is working with the FRS to establish ways of managing the processes so that RDS staff are treated equitably.  The National Firefighter Selection (NFS) Tests are used to identify those with the potential to be developed into Firefighters. RDS staff are already employed as Firefighters and it is wholly inappropriate to apply the NFS tests to serving staff.
The tests are NOT to be used as a transfer tool.
Working with the NFS Forum the NAU is proposing a transfer mechanism based on using the PQA element of the application form, the PQA based interview and work place assessment. This will allow the FRS to recognise the skills existing in the RDS whilst allowing those staff access to the competitive recruitment process.
These proposals will be discussed with the National Assessment Steering Group. CFOA Strategic HR Committee and the FRS Practitioners Forum.
Sue Evans
Head of the National Assessment Unit
ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
Moreton in Marsh, Gloucestershire GL56 0RH  01608 653948