RECRUITMENT 2011

[Tammey]

well done, what number did you get ranked at?

No ranking given, even at the interview I asked if we would find out where we were ranked and they said no. It's just an invite to the PAT 2 & uniform fit-out, medical, step-test - 3 different dates.

[gasman]

well looks like attempt number six is on the cards then !!

[BT085]

Well done tammy... No news for me unfortunately.. Was this ur first attempt and how old are u mate?

[Monger]

well done, what number did you get ranked at?

No ranking given, even at the interview I asked if we would find out where we were ranked and they said no. It's just an invite to the PAT 2 & uniform fit-out, medical, step-test - 3 different dates.

What is the step test??

[Tammey]

In the letter it states theres a 'Respiratory Test' and they've allocated 30mins for it, just from experience is sounds like a step test- theres a box you have to step up on in time with beeps on a tape, you wear a heart rate monitor, the beeps get closer together as the levels increase. They record your heart rate at each level.  I'm not 100% sure if this is the test but this is what it sounds like.  Please no one hold me to this it's just an educated guess really.  If it was just a spirometry test (thats the one you blow into a tube and they measure your lung capacity) they wouldnt need 30mins.

BT085 - yes it was my first attempt, however, prior to leaving the UK 14 months ago i was a full time operational firefighter and had been for 6 1/2 years.  I'm 31.  Don't throw in the towel yet, my opinion is the emails today are only referring to those that have been allocated a place on the 1st training course.

[Thor]

So have I got this right? Yr saying that today's yes results r for the first squad?? If so how reliable is this info? Worth asking Mara?

[Monger]

In the letter it states theres a 'Respiratory Test' and they've allocated 30mins for it, just from experience is sounds like a step test- theres a box you have to step up on in time with beeps on a tape, you wear a heart rate monitor, the beeps get closer together as the levels increase. They record your heart rate at each level.  I'm not 100% sure if this is the test but this is what it sounds like.  Please no one hold me to this it's just an educated guess really.  If it was just a spirometry test (thats the one you blow into a tube and they measure your lung capacity) they wouldnt need 30mins.

Gasman- yes it was my first attempt, however, prior to leaving the UK 14 months ago i was a full time operational firefighter and had been for 6 1/2 years.  I'm 31.  Don't throw in the towel yet, my opinion is the emails today are only referring to those that have been allocated a place on the 1st training course.

I think its a lung function test not step test. Exhale in to tube and the strength and volume is monitored by a computer.

[Tammey]

So have I got this right? Yr saying that today's yes results r for the first squad?? If so how reliable is this info? Worth asking Mara?

Definitely, this is only my opinion and from the impression i got from speaking to Mara earlier.  Fingers crossed though that this is the case and theres still some good news to come.

[Tammey]

Thanks Ferret I will probably have to make a call to clarify for certain.  When i joined the fire brigade in the UK around 7-8 years ago we did a step test as part of the recruitment. The letter said 'The examination will take approximately 30 mins' and I assumed it wouldnt take 30mins to blow into a tube! What did you have to do when you joined?

[Thor]

Yeah I got a yes for Thursday 14th. Surely it wouldn't take all week to pat2 20 of us???

[Tammey]

Yeah I got a yes for Thursday 14th. Surely it wouldn't take all week to pat2 20 of us???

Great news mate, mines at 2.30pm, what times yours?  I can't see it taking more than 2 days to pat2 test 20 of us.

[Thor]

Thanks and well done. What I was thinking is pat2 starting on the Monday. If so it would seem it's not just the top 20. So we need to establish how many r doing the pat 2. Hopefully yr right??

[BT085]

Well done thor.. Was this ur first crack at it also? Did u use up the whole hour in ur interview and feel u did heaps well??

[Tammey]

I'm fairly convinced that it's only the 20 (18 + 2 reserves) who are earmarked for the first training course who are being invited to the PAT 2 and uniform fitting. My understanding is that it is a pass or fail and you are not in direct competition with everyone else. My information is that when they are ready to run the next course they will PAT2 test the next 20.
It would seem silly at this stage to uniform fit those that have not been allocated a place on the course. This is only my opinion but it is based on information received which I have no reason to disbelieve. As always though I stand to be corrected.  

[BT085]

Out of interest tammy and thor are you guys aware if they contacted ur referees prior to your letter today?

[Tammey]

yeah referees will be after pat2 and medical

I have no idea personally, I'm not aware that they have. Ferret is more informed than me so I'm going with what he said.

[Thor]

Hey Tammey. I start at 100pm.  Whats got me confused is that Mara said they were running the pat2 all week starting monday.  So unless they are only doing 4 a day than there is a lot more than 20 doing it.

[Monger]

Hey Tammey. I start at 100pm.  Whats got me confused is that Mara said they were running the pat2 all week starting monday.  So unless they are only doing 4 a day than there is a lot more than 20 doing it.

I was only guessing at 20. Maybe they are doing enough for 2 squads. Each pat2 takes over an hour by the time you watch the DVD again, get kitted up and then do the testing.

[Thor]

Man it's frustrating. Was expecting to get a rank number to know where I stood.  How full on is the medical!??

[BT085]

Man it's frustrating. Was expecting to get a rank number to know where I stood.  How full on is the medical!??

no reason to be frustrated thor... U made the next stage...

[Thor]

Hey guys, so is anyone game enough to contact Mara and ask her how it actually works. Was it 20 or so that got a yes yesterday and the rest at a later time? Or did all 100 or so get their yes result yesterday. Who's callin her????? :|

[BT085]

Mate- it doesnt matter... Your in the next stage.. I think its safe to assume they wouldnt send 'yes' letters out to all people ranked in top 100 as there is no gaurantee that they will hav another drill squad.. It depends on retirements etc.. Who knows though.. Thats just my opinion

[Monger]

Mate- it doesnt matter... Your in the next stage.. I think its safe to assume they wouldnt send 'yes' letters out to all people ranked in top 100 as there is no gaurantee that they will hav another drill squad.. It depends on retirements etc.. Who knows though.. Thats just my opinion

In the past they have selected the numbers for the first drill squad and then given the remaining succesful applicants( those who have "passed" the interview) a cab ranking number so as they need new drill squads they select from this pool.Then they do the pat2 etc

[gasman]

heres hoping they do the same again this time around...... Just an answer would be nice though

[BT085]

well looks like attempt number six is on the cards then !!
Hey gasman, how many times out of your 5 applications have u made the interview?