Email Query

Subject:                         Firefighter Selection Process

Date of Email reporting Incident:   20/05/2007

Initial Email Detail:

Do you have a reference of minimum requirements or suggestion for the LNG Plant type of operations? I am particularly interested in the following area:

• Physical capability
• Mental capability
• Leadership

Or anything that would help to guide proper selection process for such Emergency Response Team

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Second Email Detail: (sent 15/05/2007)

Over the years we at SembCorp have developed what we believe to be a robust recruitment system for Site Protection Officers (Fire / Ambulance & Security response).  I have attached a copy of the documentation & processes that we use for selection & then training.

With regards selection, all candidates are required to submit a current Curriculum Vitae and these are then short listed to approx 60 candidates.  Candidates must have a minimum of 3 GCSE qualifications of at least a C grade.

The psychometric testing & mental agility tests then get short listed to approx 30.

Physicals take us down to 18 & we then interview.

During the Physicals we are specifically testing for Claustrophobia, Fear of Heights, Physical Ability, Strength, Stamina, & Endurance as well as watching for the candidates ability to work in a team.

For the successful applicants they then under go Drug & Alcohol Testing before embarking on a 12 week training programme before they are allocated a shift position.  This ends in validations being carried out at 2 separate JOIFF accredited training centres followed by a 4 week Ambulance technician course delivered & validated by the Local Authority.  All staff are then put through a Large Vehicle License which is followed by an Emergency Fire Appliance Driving course.

Associated Documentation:

SPO Presentation (zipped file)

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Third Email (sent 30/05/2007)

I am a fire officer at BP saltend, I have attached a fitness criteria we use and also a training programme we adopt for Fire Officers.

Associated Documentation:

Fitness Criteria (zipped file)

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Fourth Email (sent 30/05/2007)

I am presently the FH&S Coordinator for Marketing of the Bahrain Petroleum Co.
I have been utilizing NFPA 1001 entitled Fire Fighter Professional requirements as a guidance document which identifies the performance requirements necessary to perform the duties of a fire fighter and the minimum requirements for fire fighter candidates. NFPA472 Standard for Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Material Incidents is another reference document.
At Bapco, our fire response team members are physically fit to perform such activities which ranges from fire fighting, hazardous materials (HAZMAT) response and rescue activities. We have also embarked in a continuing physical fitness program that will enable fire team members to maintain if not better there physical fitness. The initial physical fitness program started with a physical examination from our medical group to ensure that they are able to participate in the continuing physical fitness program.
Fire Fighters are also Fire Instructors and shall be conducting training sessions for both classroom and field activities/drills and exercises and therefore candidates should posses’ qualities that would enable the successful conduct of this sessions. The candidates should be proficient in both written and verbal communications, and have good leadership skills so as to be in command and control of any incident.
Fire Fighters are also required to conduct field inspections and audits of facilities and therefore should have a very good working knowledge of reference standards and safe working practices.
Fire Fighters should be thoroughly knowledgeable on all Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention equipment which includes there operation, inspection and maintenance requirements. This would also include the operation of the fire trucks, fire pumps (fixed and mobile) and other major fire response and fixed/semi-fixed water and foam systems/equipment. These personnel are also involved in flow testing of the fire pumps and firewater distribution system and should have at least an appreciation and understanding of the set-up and results of the performance testing.

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Fifth Email (30/05/2007)

I agree with the assessment previously supplied and would add an additional reference for the technical rescue qualifications.  As a past member of the NFPA 1006 committee, NFPA 1006 defines guidelines/recommendations for Rescue Qualification as intended in the fire service.  This document would assist in addressing specifications for the Hazmat, Confined Space, Water Rescue, Trench, etc teams....