Hello and asking for advice

Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 5:35 am

Failing all of the other suggestions, telephone recruitment when you reach 18 and tell them you are thinking about going down the transexual route, and woiuld they have any objection if a member of the transexual community were to join?

I'll give it three weeks and you will have an interview. :wink:

Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 8:51 am

Thanks GBC :shock: but a more sensible answer would be when you want to join keep and eye out in any of the gay, lesbian or ethnic papers or magazines in your local area. The brigade seems to advertise in these publications first before they go for the local papers.

You could also try place like The Nottinghill carnival or 'gay pride march' where we have a big brigade presence

Rob

Newbie User Online: Joined: 03 Jun 2008 Posts: 13

Good idea, but imagine trying to explain it to my family when they come across the Gay Times in my bedroom, if I even had the courage to go and buy it :D .

Youve touched the reason though why i've been told that I have a low chance of getting into the brigade, according to some.

Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 3:13 pm

Not so, its exactly the way I got into the brigade. I was working at a holiday camp with the missus and they had a 'dance weekend' and this is about 95% black and afro Caribbean.

The brigade had sent the recruitment team down there (which included Saracen) I got a telephone number and a code and had my application form in about 2 weeks.

They can't by law ask you any ethnic questions when asking for the application and when you fill in the ethnic form they send you it is for numbers only and can't be used to judge you.

Rob

Newbie User Online: Joined: 03 Jun 2008 Posts: 13

Thats reassuring to hear, I've just been misinformed by some other people saying that people in ethnic minorities etc have preference.

So the only reason I should fail is if i'm deemed not suitable or dont fill all the requirements (relevant life experience etc.)
Another thing thats been said is that at 18 i'm less likely to get in(especially as a bloke) as i'm 'less mature', is this true, or is it on an inividual basis, like if someone shows they aren't mature enough in tests and activities etc.

Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 1:47 am

Just to clear up the misunderstanding about this there is no advantage for Black, Etnic minority or female applicants.

Im a young, white, english male and was able to get into the LFB. Admitedly other Brigades DO positivley discriminate as I have found out with first hand experience.

There does some to be some negative issues surrounding female/ ethnic minority only open days but having worked on them several times in the past few months they don't give out application forms nor does it quarantee the atendees will recieve prefential treatment when recruitment does begin

On my interview (only 18mths ago) all the other applicants who had reached the stage with me where white males.

Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:06 am

Hey Dan,

I didn't say they got any preferential treatment once in, I meant they actively target the minority groups first.

You are right the brigade doesn't give out applications form at open days but they are trying to minorities, they have no problems getting applications from young white males.

I have no problem with any of this, as long as standards don't drop to accommodate anybody no matter who they are

Rob

Newbie User Online: Joined: 03 Jun 2008 Posts: 13

cheers guys, this has really helped, also seeing as I recently went on a course with the army and it didnt really seem like what i wanted.
What exact reasons would my application form be rejected for so i know how to sort it out so ive got the best chances?

Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:50 pm

I agree that minority groups are targetted more in the inital recruitment stage and do understand why it does get a bad press. (The recent coverage of Avon's open days being a good example).

When I applied the advert was mostly targetting women and ethnic minorities. There was only a small line right at the bottom to clarify that white males where allowed to apply. I know of a few people who didnt apply as they thought it a female only campaign and it would be unfair if that happened gain, althoughh as I said in my previous entry, on my interview it was entirely white males

In terms of what you would get rejected for now then as long as you meet the required criteria age, fitness etc then its really in your hands. I have ben able to help a few people get into various Fire Services in the past year or so. Its more about what you say and the way you say it than anythign else. Suggs, if you PM me your email I will forward some resources on to you. I know your still a year or two off applying but will give you an idea what to expect

Newbie User Online: Joined: 03 Jun 2008 Posts: 13

what do you mean by 'required criteria age' just being too young?