What to Expect in Firefighter Training
Firefighter training is challenging, and it’s not uncommon for recruits to approach it with some anxiety. After all, it’s a gruelling process filled with unexpected twists and turns. One minute, you’re studying for the written exam, and the next, you’re in a dark, smoke-filled room searching for a victim. With so much to prepare for, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This article will help settle your nerves and give you a better idea of what to expect in firefighter training.
One excellent resource for prospective firefighters is Fire Recruitment Australia. Their guide on how to become a firefighter offers valuable insights about the testing process, including firefighter training.
How Long Is Firefighter Training in Australia?
Firefighter Training in Australia: What to Expect
Firefighter training in Australia varies slightly across states and territories, but most recruit training programs span between 12 and 20 weeks, depending on the fire service and its training structure. The training is full-time and often residential, meaning recruits are expected to live on-site for the duration of the course. Here’s a detailed breakdown by primary fire services:
Fire and Rescue New South Wales (FRNSW)
Training Duration
13 weeks
Location
Emergency Services Academy, Orchard Hills (Western Sydney)
Structure
- Physical training
- Live fire simulations
- BA (Breathing Apparatus) courses
- Rescue skills
- Emergency medical response
- HAZMAT management
Outcome
Recruits graduate as Level 2 Firefighters and are posted to a metropolitan station.
Note
Recruits are paid during training. Accommodation and meals are typically provided for those travelling from regional areas.
Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV)
Training Duration
20 weeks
Location
Victorian Emergency Management Training Centre (Craigieburn)
Structure
- Practical firefighting skills
- Technical rescue
- Emergency medical response
- Fire investigation
- Wildfire response
Outcome
Successful recruits begin operational shifts under probationary supervision.
Important Tip
FRV training includes intense academic content. Applicants benefit from preparing early for written assessments and drills.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES)
Training Duration
14–16 weeks (varies by intake)
Location
QFES Training Academy (Wacol, Brisbane)
Structure
- Urban search and rescue (USAR)
- Live fire environments
- Community education delivery
- Pump operation and ladder drills
Outcome
Upon passing, recruits are stationed throughout the state based on service needs.
South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service (SAMFS)
Training Duration
14 weeks
Location
Angle Park Training Centre (Adelaide)
Structure
- Physical skills development
- Practical emergency response
- Fireground communication
- Breathing apparatus competency
Outcome
Probationary placement at an MFS station in Adelaide or regional SA.
ACT Fire & Rescue (ACTFR)
Training Duration
20 weeks
Location
ESA Training Centre (Hume, ACT)
Structure
- Physical and mental fitness
- Wildfire training
- BA use
- Rescue operations
Outcome
Graduates begin on-road placements within ACT.
Tasmania Fire Service (TFS)
Training Duration
15 weeks
Location
Cambridge Training Centre
Structure
- Urban firefighting
- Bushfire suppression
- Community fire education
- HAZMAT and rescue
Outcome
Recruits join a full-time operational crew across Tasmania.
What to Expect During Firefighter Training in Australia
The Rigorous Firefighter Training Curriculum: What You Will Learn
Firefighter recruit training is often seen as the first taste of the real-world challenges of firefighting. Once you’ve cleared the recruitment hurdles, training is your next mission, and it’s designed to stretch you in every way. Here’s what you can expect across the curriculum, physical preparation, and daily routine.
Firefighter training is delivered through a combination of classroom theory, hands-on drills, and simulations. You’ll build technical knowledge, practical skills, and decision-making capabilities. Key areas covered:
Fire Science
Learn how fire behaves in different environments, how it spreads, and how to suppress it effectively.
Building Construction & Collapse
Understand how various building materials react to fire and the risks posed during rescue.
HAZMAT Awareness
Get trained on identifying and managing hazardous materials safely.
First Aid & Medical Response
Learn CPR, trauma care, airway management, and how to respond to medical emergencies as a first responder.
Incident Command Systems (ICS)
Understand how emergency scenes are managed and how to follow structured command protocols.
Rescue Techniques
Including vehicle extrication, confined space rescue, ladder operations, and high-angle rescues.
Community Safety & Fire Prevention
Gain skills in public engagement, fire safety inspections, and home fire education.
Fire Equipment Use
Hands-on training with hoses, ladders, extinguishers, hydraulic tools, SCBA sets, and thermal imaging cameras.
Legal & Ethical Responsibilities
Study the laws and professional conduct required of operational firefighters in Australia.
The Physical Conditioning Component of Firefighter Recruit Training
Physical conditioning is a core part of your recruit training — not just to pass tests, but to survive the demands of frontline work.
Expect
- Daily fitness sessions, often in the early morning, include circuit training, loaded carries, sprints, stair climbs, and core strength work.
- PAT (Physical Aptitude Test) simulation drills to ensure you remain test-ready throughout training.
- BA (Breathing Apparatus) training that requires cardiovascular strength and calm under pressure.
- Rescue tool handling and dummy drags, which test both strength and technique under fatigue.
- Fitness assessments at regular intervals — meeting minimum standards isn’t enough; improvement is expected.
Many recruits underestimate this component. Physical strength alone isn’t enough — functional fitness, endurance, and injury prevention are just as important.
A Day in the Life of Firefighter Recruit Training
Every fire service runs slightly differently, but most recruit training programs are full-time, disciplined, and highly structured. Here’s a typical day breakdown:
6:30 am – Arrival and Personal Prep
You’re expected to arrive early, in uniform, gear cleaned, and ready for the day.
7:00 am – Morning Parade/Briefing
The day’s plan is discussed, with team assignments, objectives, and any announcements.
7:30 am – Physical Training (PT)
This could be outdoor cardio, strength circuits, stair climbs, dummy drags or simulated hose hauls.
9:00 am – Classroom Learning or Drill Prep
You’ll tackle theory — fire behaviour, medical response, HAZMAT protocols — or prepare for practical drills.
11:00 am – Practical Fireground Scenarios
Practice using SCBA gear, fire attack with live hoses, vehicle rescues, or simulated fire searches.
1:00 pm – Lunch and Short Rest
2:00 pm – Afternoon Simulation or Debrief
You might rotate to a different training area — ladder deployment, fire extinguisher operation, teamwork drills.
4:00 pm – Equipment Maintenance & Review
You’ll clean and check your gear, complete reports, and reflect on the day’s learning.
5:00 pm – Dismissal or Homework Prep
Most recruits take notes home, prepare for assessments, or train independently to shore up weaknesses.
Building Mental Toughness in Firefighter Training
Firefighter training pushes beyond just physical fitness — it also builds:
- Emotional control under pressure
- Team communication and leadership
- Self-discipline, punctuality, and accountability
- Adaptability in dynamic situations
Instructors won’t just test your knowledge — they’ll test how you respond under stress, how you support your team, and whether you can remain composed when things go wrong.
The Competitive Nature of Firefighter Selection
Turn your firefighting dream into reality with Fire Recruitment Australia, your comprehensive guide to navigating Australia’s highly competitive firefighter selection process. With 20 applicants competing for each position, our proven system has helped over 300 aspiring firefighters overcome the 5% success rate and achieve placement rates exceeding 91%.
Led by Brent, an active firefighter with extensive recruitment expertise since 2007, our specialised training programs target the four critical areas where most candidates fail: aptitude testing, psychological assessments, physical ability tests, and interview preparation. Our signature 30-day program has been shown to raise aptitude test scores by 57%, eliminating the dream-killing hurdle that prevents most applicants from advancing to the next level.
Whether you’re preparing for your first application or have experienced disappointment in previous attempts, join thousands of successful firefighters who have transformed their careers through our membership programs, personalised coaching, and comprehensive resources explicitly tailored for Australian fire services. Book your free strategy session today and take the first step towards learning how to become a firefighter!
What Firefighting Training Assessments Will You Be Tested On?
Theory Assessments: Get Ready for the Written Exams
Theory assessments are your written exams. These classroom-based tests ensure you understand core firefighting knowledge. You’ll be continuously assessed throughout your time at the fire academy, but these exams ramp up in frequency and intensity as you near the end of your training. Theory assessments help you prepare for the written component of firefighter selection and test your knowledge of:
- Fire science and behaviour – including how fires spread, the fire triangle, and ventilation principles.
- Standard operating procedures (SOPs) – service-specific rules and protocols.
- HAZMAT awareness – identifying hazardous materials and understanding decontamination procedures.
- First aid and medical response – including trauma care, CPR, and casualty assessment.
- Legislation and fire safety codes – understanding your legal responsibilities, OH&S, and building compliance.
- Incident command systems – roles, ranks, and responsibilities during multi-agency responses.
These exams may be multiple choice, short answer, or scenario-based written responses. You’ll often need to achieve a pass mark of 80% or higher.
Practical Skills Assessments: Demonstrate Your Firefighting Skills
Practical skills assessments are hands-on evaluations that test your ability to perform firefighting tasks safely, effectively, and under pressure. Common practical exercises include:
- Hose deployment and fire attack drills, which involve rolling, carrying, and connecting hoses to hydrants, are followed by a simulated fire attack.
- Ladder setup and climbing – raising and climbing ladders safely with tools in hand or using rescue techniques.
- Search and rescue in confined spaces – working with SCBA (breathing apparatus) in blackout or smoke-filled environments to locate casualties or escape routes.
- Pump operations – establishing water supply, managing pressures, and fault-checking.
- Vehicle rescue simulations – including glass management, hydraulic tool handling, and casualty removal.
- Knots and rope work – demonstrating your ability to tie rescue knots for hauling or lowering.
- Portable extinguisher use – tackling live fire scenarios with CO₂ or foam extinguishers.
- Team-based rescue operations – coordination during live drills such as multi-casualty incidents or industrial fire simulations.
Assessors are observing your technique, safety habits, teamwork, and ability to follow instructions, not just whether you “complete the task.”
Physical Fitness and Functional Assessments: Get Ready to Get Physical
Your physical capabilities will be assessed repeatedly to ensure you’re operationally fit. Common evaluations include:
- Cardiovascular fitness tests, such as beep tests, timed runs, or stair climbs.
- Strength and endurance tasks, carrying jerry cans, dragging rescue dummies (often 70kg+), tool holds, and hose hauls.
- BA (Breathing Apparatus) circuit, a functional test wearing full PPE and BA while completing multiple physically demanding tasks.
- Simulated PAT components, hose drags, ladder raises, confined space entries, and casualty drags under time constraints.
You’ll be expected to perform safely under fatigue, while maintaining composure and good lifting technique.
Scenario-Based Team Assessments: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Scenario-based assessments place you in real-time simulations involving fire, medical, and rescue scenarios. These may involve:
- Leading or supporting a team during an emergency scenario
- Demonstrating clear communication and following the chain of command
- Working effectively under pressure, sometimes with incomplete information
These simulations test not only skills, but your judgement, leadership, and teamwork, crucial for real-world deployments.
Medical and Psychological Assessments: You’ve Got to Be Healthy to Get the Job
Ongoing health and medical checks are conducted to monitor your ability to handle heat stress, BA wear, and shift work. Some services include resilience and psychological fitness testing, ensuring you’re emotionally capable of managing trauma, teamwork pressure, and the demands of the job.
Turn your firefighting dream into reality with Fire Recruitment Australia, your comprehensive guide to navigating Australia’s highly competitive firefighter selection process. With 20 applicants competing for each position, our proven system has helped over 300 aspiring firefighters overcome the 5% success rate and achieve placement rates exceeding 91%.
Led by Brent, an active firefighter with extensive recruitment expertise since 2007, our specialised training programs target the four critical areas where most candidates fail: aptitude testing, psychological assessments, physical ability tests, and interview preparation. Our signature 30-day program has been shown to raise aptitude test scores by 57%, eliminating the dream-killing hurdle that prevents most applicants from advancing to the next level.
Whether you’re preparing for your first application or have experienced disappointment in previous attempts, join thousands of successful firefighters who have transformed their careers through our membership programs, personalised coaching, and comprehensive resources explicitly tailored for Australian fire services. Book your free strategy session today and take the first step towards learning how to become a firefighter!
How to Prepare Before Day One of Your Firefighter Training
Build a Solid Fitness Foundation
Getting fit for firefighter training is not about getting in shape for the academy. It’s about preparing to succeed in your firefighter training. Sure, the academy will help you get fit, but arriving with a solid fitness foundation will help you avoid injury and be ready for the challenges of recruit training from day one. You’ll need to be comfortable with:
- High-rep strength work (e.g. squats, deadlifts, step-ups, carries)
- Cardiovascular endurance (especially stair climbing under fatigue)
- Grip and core strength (essential for BA circuits and rescue tools)
Fire Recruitment Australia strongly recommends at least 4–6 weeks of structured physical conditioning before your start date. If you’ve already followed a PAT-specific prep plan, continue it right up to day one. Staying consistent and injury-free is key.
Brush Up on Fire Service Knowledge
The best way to make a great impression at the firefighter academy is to arrive with a solid understanding of basic fire service knowledge. This includes:
- Fire behaviour and the fire triangle
- Firefighting equipment (hoses, ladders, PPE, BA gear)
- Emergency response priorities (life, property, environment)
- Communication procedures (radios, command structure)
Starting with this knowledge will help you get ahead of your peers and demonstrate to instructors that you possess initiative, maturity, and a team-first mindset. All qualities are highly valued by FIREAUS (Fire Industry Recruitment & Education Australia) and fire services nationally.
Fire Recruitment Australia has developed tailored content, preparatory courses, and study guides that closely align with industry expectations and real academy curricula, helping you walk in informed, not overwhelmed.
Prepare Mentally and Emotionally
Firefighting isn’t just physical; you’ll be challenged emotionally as well. Long days, early starts, and mental fatigue are part of life at the academy. You’ll work in high-pressure team scenarios where emotional control and adaptability are non-negotiable. It’s a time of significant personal growth, but it can also be isolating if you’re not mentally ready.
Fire Recruitment Australia regularly coaches applicants on building resilience, emotional intelligence, and stress control techniques, which are often overlooked by first-time recruits.
Get Organised Logistically
Logistical preparation is often the unglamorous aspect of firefighter training. But sorting the basics early can help you avoid distractions so you can focus on the challenges ahead. Start with uniforms and PPE – ensure all sizing and issue documentation is correct. Next, sort your transport and timing, plan your route and allow extra time daily. Then, tackle your gear bag setup, pack consistently with backups (socks, water, gloves, deodorant). Finally, consider meals and hydration, and prepare meals in advance if needed, to avoid poor nutrition or last-minute fast food.
This attention to detail sets the tone for professionalism and is something experienced mentors, like those at Fire Recruitment Australia, coach into all serious recruits.
Reach Out to Your Network
If you’ve completed your prep with Fire Recruitment Australia, you’ll already be part of a community of current and former recruits.
Use it: Ask what to expect in week one. Clarify what’s worth focusing on most. Get support on mindset, training hacks, or what’s “normal” at the start. Being proactive now helps you avoid preventable missteps when things get intense.
Related Reading
Raise your Odds of Getting Hired as a Firefighter in Australia from 5% to 91%
To become a firefighter, you must first pass a series of tests designed to uncover your strengths and weaknesses. Every year, hundreds of applicants compete for a handful of firefighter jobs across Australia. In some jurisdictions, as many as 20 candidates vie for each available position. With a success rate of about 5%, it’s easy to see why many hopefuls lose sight of their firefighting dreams. Fire Recruitment Australia helps aspiring firefighters overcome these odds.
Firefighter Training
Our organisation specialises in helping candidates prepare for the recruitment process of Australian fire services. We offer a proven system to boost your chances of success. Our specialised training programs target the four critical areas where most candidates fail: aptitude testing, psychological assessments, physical ability tests, and interview preparation.
Aptitude Tests
Aptitude tests measure your problem-solving abilities, decision-making skills, and comprehension of mathematical and mechanical concepts. Firefighters must think clearly and act quickly to resolve complex emergencies. These scenarios are often mimicked in aptitude tests. The better you perform, the more likely you’ll be able to manage the challenges of firefighting and keep your cool under pressure. Our signature 30-day program has been shown to raise aptitude test scores by 57%, eliminating the dream-killing hurdle that prevents most applicants from advancing to the next level.
Psychological Assessments
Psychological assessments evaluate your mental health and emotional suitability for the job. Firefighting is a high-stress job that exposes workers to dangerous situations and traumatic events. Many people are not cut out for the job, so it’s crucial to identify these individuals before they are hired. Our programs help aspiring firefighters understand what assessors are looking for and how to present themselves to pass these critical tests.
Physical Ability Tests
Firefighting is a physically demanding job. Candidates must pass a series of tests that evaluate their strength, stamina, and agility to ensure they can handle the rigors of the job. Our training programs will prepare you for the specific tests used by your local fire service to ensure you achieve a competitive score.
Interview Preparation
Like any job, aspiring firefighters must also pass a formal interview to secure a position. The interview panel looks for specific traits that indicate the candidate is a good fit for the role. Our specialised coaching prepares you for the types of questions that will be asked and helps you formulate responses that will impress the assessors.
Turn your firefighting dream into reality with Fire Recruitment Australia, your comprehensive guide to navigating Australia’s highly competitive firefighter selection process. With 20 applicants competing for each position, our proven system has helped over 300 aspiring firefighters overcome the 5% success rate and achieve placement rates exceeding 91%.
Led by Brent, an active firefighter with extensive recruitment expertise since 2007, our specialised training programs target the four critical areas where most candidates fail: aptitude testing, psychological assessments, physical ability tests, and interview preparation. Our signature 30-day program has been shown to raise aptitude test scores by 57%, eliminating the dream-killing hurdle that prevents most applicants from advancing to the next level.
Whether you’re preparing for your first application or have experienced disappointment in previous attempts, join thousands of successful firefighters who have transformed their careers through our membership programs, personalised coaching, and comprehensive resources explicitly tailored for Australian fire services. Book your free strategy session today and take the first step towards learning how to become a firefighter!
