Apply to be a wholetime firefighter

Who can apply to be a wholetime firefighter

Successful applicants will join our apprentice firefighter scheme. Therefore we cannot accept applications if you are:

• An existing serving competent wholetime or existing serving competent on-call firefighter from any other service

We can accept your application if you are:

• Not a serving firefighter (wholetime or on-call) and therefore have no firefighting experience
• Not currently a serving firefighter (wholetime or on-call) but do have previous firefighting experience either from the fire service, military or airport
• A current serving firefighter in the military or airport
• A current serving development on-call firefighter within Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) or any other service

If you already have a firefighting apprenticeship but would like to apply, please contact our Learning and Development Manager at [email protected].

Qualifications and requirements

You must have 5 GCSEs grade A* - C (9-4) inclusive of maths and English language, or equivalent Level 2 qualifications.

It does not matter where you live - applications are not restricted by postcode.

You must be at least 18-years-old when you would be due to start your training. There is no upper age limit.

Assessments and interview

When you apply to become a firefighter there are tests and assessments you will need to pass as well as the interview stage.

Find out more about assessment tests and interviews.

If you are successful

If you are successful you will be enrolled in the firefighter apprenticeship scheme. This is also known as the NFRS firefighter development pathway.

Find more information about pay and responsibilities. 

You will be required to attend a 12-week induction course.

You may be placed on a list for possible entry into the service in 2026-2027.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service cannot guarantee that successful applicants will be employed at a specific time. You should be aware that successful completion of this process does not guarantee employment.

2025 Wholetime Candidates Pack

All the information you need to apply can be found in the candidate pack below along with some of our frequently asked questions. You will be able to submit applications from this page between the 28th July and 25th August 2025.

Read about the Wholetime Recruitment 2025 Candidate Pack (PDF, 770 KB).

Find answers to some of the frequently asked questions about the Wholetime Firefighter Recruitment 2025 FAQs (PDF, 274 KB). 

The Wholetime Recruitment 2025 Candidate Pack and Wholetime Firefighter Recruitment 2025 FAQs may not be accessible for some users. If you need an alternative format, please use the NFRS Contact and feedback form to make your request. 

How to apply 

We are not currently recruiting for wholetime firefighters but any future vacancies will be advertised online and via our social media. We anticipate the next recruitment window will be in 2028. We do have vacancies for on-call firefighters, who combine that paid role with existing careers.

More information can be found at www.norfolk.gov.uk/oncall