Set Yourself up for a Firefighting Career with Haix Firefighter Boots

Nobody would ever claim that being a firefighter isn't a tough job. Physical hazards, extreme temperatures, hectic working conditions – these are all par-for-the-course in a job in which lives are often on the line. That's not to mention how difficult it is to even get into the profession, with a gruelling vetting process in place to screen out all but the most dedicated and resilient candidates. But being a firefighter can be one of the most satisfying careers out there; it gives you the opportunity to save lives, protect the environment and really make a difference in your neighbourhood. In this article we explore what it takes to become a firefighter, as well as the hazards of the job and the need for dependable safety equipment and firefighter boots, such as Haix boots.

 

What you'll need to do to become a firefighter

So you're aware of the challenges and you still want in? Well good - hang on to that enthusiasm and it'll serve you well through the application process. Competition for firefighter positions is high, and since the introduction of the National Firefighter Tests, a rigorous multi-stage screening process has helped the fire service to select the best candidates.

 

Do you need to have to have a prior qualification?

 

Though by no means a pre-requisite, completing a course in fire science or fire engineering prior to applying can be an excellent preparation for the assessment process. Besides showing your commitment to a career in firefighting, it also offers the chance to develop a solid bedrock of knowledge and experience in:

 

 

  • Fire safety and suppression
  • The social and psychological effects of fire
  • Technology for predicting and preventing fire
  • Explosion investigation
  • Flame retardancy and the relative flammability of various materials
    (this is important to assess the risk given the environment but it also has a bearing on the choice of  fire boots and protective clothing)
  • Fire modelling and dynamics
  • Mitigation of and protection against dust, gas and vapour hazards caused by fires.

 

There are a number of courses in the UK that cover this subject area, with probably the most highly-regarded being the University of Central Lancashire's BEng in Fire Engineering (they also offer a foundation course for those who don't meet the entry requirements), the University of Ulster's MA programme in Fire Safety Engineering, and the wide range of short courses offered by the University of Leeds.

 

 

Getting your foot in the door

 

There is no set time of year when recruitment campaigns take place. Instead, individual Fire and Rescue Services advertise for positions when they receive funding to do so, or when existing personnel leave their positions. Sign up for their Recruitment Text Service to keep up to date on the latest vacancies. The recruitment process can take anywhere from a few days to a full year to complete, and includes a wide array of tests.

 

 

Be the type of person they're looking for

 

After that, your chances of getting to the interview stage rest on whether the answers you give in the National Firefighter Questionnaire highlight why you are the right candidate for the job. Besides highlighting your skills, qualifications and past work experience, you should also bear in mind the type of person they're looking for. In part, the questions are used to gauge a number of PQAs (Personal Qualities and Attributes) possessed by the candidate, including:

 

 

  • An openness to change. This means you need to be able to adapt to, and actively seek, changes in standard practice to improve the Fire and Rescue Service.
  • Resilience and confidence in one's own abilities.
  • Works well with others and can form lasting relationships with team members. 
  • An effective communicator. This not only applies to verbal communication with other firefighters, but also delivering health & safety presentations to schools.
  • Commitment to development of self and others.
  • Understanding how to apply training and relevant information to solve problems. An example would be using the correct procedure to erect a ladder on site.
  • Situational awareness. This is crucial for acting appropriately in any number of hectic scenarios.

 

As you can't be expected to know everything about the job before you even begin training, these behavioural indicators are used to help the fire service assess which candidates would be able to meet the challenges of the role. In addition, many of the questions at the interview stage will be behavioural, and will often prompt the interviewee to give responses that demonstrate these core behaviours.

 

 

The Physical Tests

 

A major component of the selection process is a series of rigorous physical tests designed to assess your capabilities. Bear in mind that on-the-job you’ll need to be able to perform these tasks wearing

Firefighter boots and protective clothing.

These are:

 

  • The ladder climb. This is to test your proficiency in working at height, and you will be assessed on your ability to scale a 13.5m ladder in full PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), as well as performing a 'leg lock'.
  • Casualty evacuation. This test entails carrying a 55kg casualty while moving backwards in fill PPS.
  • Lower simulation/Ladder lift. In full PPE, the candidate is tasked with raising a bar wighing between 5kg and 20kg from a height of 75cm to 182cm
  • Enclosed space. A test of whether you can handle working in claustrophobic surroundings with limited visibility.
  • Equipment assembly.

 

Have a look at this video by the North Wales Fire Service to get an idea of what all of this entails. Better get gyming if all looks like too much for you!

 

The Psychological tests

 

The psychological component of the assessment process aims to test a candidate's numeracy and problem-solving abilities. There are six scenarios given and 36 questions: these may include interpreting written safety and training instructions, and acting with common sense in a given scenario. Again, one of the main things they're looking for is the right type of person, so keep those PQAs in mind and you'll be set. It certainly helps to be prepared for this, so check out some of the books on offer on the Fire and Rescue Service's website.

 

 

Standard issue equipment

 

If, after all of this, you get the job offer then congratulations. The assessment process is extremely challenging, and given the number of candidates that usually apply for these positions you must have beaten a fair few hopefuls to earn your place. As soon as you begin training you'll be issued with your Personal Protection Equipment. This includes:

 

  • Firefighter gloves, which are manufactured to meet the demand of fire fighting while providing comfort to the person wearing them.
  • Firefighter helmets are made out of durable fibreglass, and protect the wearer's head from falling debris and sparks.
  • Clothes made from fire retardant fabrics. These need to comply with rigid international standards, including BS 8469:2007 and BS ISO 16073:2011
  • Firefighter boots, which need to be waterproof and provide adequate protection against protruding debris, airborne toxins and corrosive materials.

 

Standard issue boots may be uncomfortable so many firefighters choose to buy their own boots, for comfort.

 

 

 

Boots on the ground: Haix Fireboots

Many of our firefighter customers feel that a particularly important investment is a good pair of firefighting boots - any discomfort in your feet will only prove to be a distraction and can add to the stress of the job. Despite the fact that the fire service issues standardised equipment, many firefighters find standard-issue fireboots particularly uncomfortable for their own gait and as a result we supply many people in the fire service. One of the most popular brands we stock is Haix Firefighter Boots.

The Haix story

 

The design of Haix boots is informed by real industry experience. The company's current owner Ewald Haimerl was a firefighter himself, and he was dissatisfied with the standard-issue boots he received in the Marburg fire services. Determined to do better, he began manufacturing robust, third party safety boots to industry. Haix boots soon became a byword for quality amongst law enforcement and fire services, and by 1999 the company was manufacturing 100,000 pairs of boots per annum, a figure that has ballooned to 600,000 in recent times.

 

Safety Requirements and how Haix fireboots meet them.

 

All Haix fireboots are fully compliant with EN ISO 20345:2011 / EN 15090:2012. In addition, the Haix Fire Hero 507001 is compliant with EN 15090 + SRC, one of the most stringent international standards for fire safety equipment in the UK regulatory environment.  

 

Comfortable and long-lasting

 

Haix firefighter boots are made to last, which is why we offer a two year warranty from point of sale. Key features to make them comfortable and durable include:

 

  • A 4 layer CROSSTECH moisture barrier which is resistant to chemicals, bacteria and airborne pathogens
  • Haix Climate System. This creates air circulation with each step taken
  • Haix MSL (Micro Soft Light) System. Low-weight foam is injected into the soles to serve as a shock absorber and heat insulation
  • An anatomically-formed insole which is highly moisture absorbent
  • Haix Secura Liner. This is an inner lining that is firmly fastened within the boot's leather exterior, preventing internal wrinklage

 

Invest in Haix fireboots and you won't regret it

 

Whether you’re starting out in the service or a long-standing professional, if you’re working as a  firefighter, you want to give yourself every opportunity to perform at your best. Haix firefighter boots are used by fire services the world over because of their reliability, comfort and safety features. Order a pair from Brix Workwear today - you won't regret it!