mr luvpants

Hi
just wanted to know if you found it hard work getting into the Oz fire service or whether you change occupations completely?

hindon

Hi
My husband is a Retained Firefighter here in the UK. He is changing jobs completely when we get there Aug/Sept 07.
When we went on our reccy last year we spoke to some Firefighters and they said it wasn't that easy. You first had to do voluntary work of some kind as well as voluntary Firefighting, then you had some tests to go through which you pay for yourself. After all this you can apply if you have passed, and you will be posted somewhere that no one else wants, then after you have proved yourself you can then apply to be nearer your home town when a vacancy comes up.
i hope this gives you some idea, one good thing is that there is no age limit to applying, even at 40+ you are still allowed.
We stopped 2 firefighters while they were shopping at Coles for chocolate bars, they were really nice and friendly and from Queensland.

mr luvpants

What state did you find that info from? And thanks.

JOHN

hindon

Queensland

hindon

There is a website that gives you all the info you need and a list of stations and tests you need to do.

Pollyana

www.fire.qld.gov.au
www.cfa.vic.gov.au
www.bushfire.nsw.gov.au

are a few fire related sites I have bookmarked. Each State has its own rules for recruiting so you really need to contact the one that you are moving to.

rugbymatt

Love the user title Polly!

BadgeIsBack

Victorian CFA and MFB are recruiting now. I've applied for both.

Ideal age would probably be 30s with a trunk license, bit of life experience.

Aot of guys I know fail or dread the aerobic tests, you need this as well as functional strength to get through the tests.

Previous UK experience just may not count for much. I know one bloke who eventually got a instructor's job.

The country or outer brigades physical tests are slightly easier, if similar, with the Mets seeming to have the highest selection criteria. WA's if I recall seemed a bit easier than VIC MFB but comparable to VIC CFA. You start out with a written test - the score here ranks you into a pool from which they draw on for panel selection.

I also know women who have the tests.

MD09

suck

rugbymatt

Not sure if this is meant for me or for Polly, either way its a little out of place for this thread dont you think.
If you want to stalk me then post in TIO or the lounge, i will un-subscribe to this thread for fear of it being hijacked to join me elsewhere ok?

Pollyana

Like Rugbymatt, I don't know which of us your offensive post is meant for, and it doesn't really matter which of us. The fact is that it is offensive. Your posts on other threads today/tonight have been similarly antagonistic, and it will not be tolerated.
Please take this as a final warning to be less abusive.

task

you've got more chance of becoming a space man than a FF in oz
had all the tests and they ar'nt interested,14yrs experience in uk it beggars belief.A country with plenty of fires and they dont want anyone that is already trained to a high standard.
Maybe thats the problem we are to experienced,and will find out how little they know about the real world of firefighting.
good luck task (soon back to uk)

welshpom

They want you, they just won't pay you to do it for a living. Here in South Australia there are over 16,000 volunteer firefighters and over 430 brigades, compared to the 35 brigades with paid firefighters.

There are hundreds of applicants for each advertised job as a paid firefighter. They really don't need to import the skills. Presumably they prefer to train someone from scratch and start them on the lowest rung of the salary ladder than re-train an experienced person.

task

I maybe your right i dont fancy working all week then being a volunteer.
no life springs to mind.i gave it my best shot but the life style in oz is not for me so maybe its an omen.
a few months left to enjoy the sights.
task