NPWS firefighters
Learn about our professional firefighting staff and what’s required to become an NPWS firefighter.
Read more about NPWS firefighters
Our staff don’t just protect national parks, they protect communities. Many of our team members are trained firefighters who work to manage fire across national parks in NSW as part of their role. This includes hazard reduction activities and responding to bushfires.
We maintain a large, skilled workforce that includes people in diverse roles with firefighting duties. Some roles like field officers and rangers include firefighting as an essential part of the job.
Staff safety is our top priority. That’s why candidates for these roles must complete health and fitness assessments to ensure they can perform their duties safely and effectively.
Health and fitness assessments
Pre-employment medical requirements
If you’re applying for a role with firefighting duties (as detailed in the role description), you’ll need to complete a pre-employment medical assessment before an offer of employment is made. This ensures you meet the medical requirements for the role and can safely undertake frontline firefighting duties. The assessment is conducted as part of the recruitment process and is arranged by NPWS.
The pre-employment medical assessment includes:
- A medical questionnaire.
- Physical examination by a doctor including weight/BMI, urinalysis, heart checks, blood pressure, vision testing and musculoskeletal screening.
- Spirometry testing (lung function).
- Audiometry testing (hearing).
The results also assist in determining the type and level of firefighting fitness training you can complete.
Fitness requirements
After joining NPWS, all employees with firefighting duties must undertake a Task Based Assessment. This is a physical fitness test modelled on real job tasks. All NPWS firefighters are required to undertake this assessment annually.
The fitness assessment:
- Measures physical fitness, strength and endurance.
- Involves a timed walk over a set distance while carrying weight, typically using a weight vest.
- Provides a fair, objective standard for all firefighters, with a modified weight option for those who weigh less.
Other pathways
If you don’t meet the health and fitness requirements for a role with firefighting duties, there are still plenty of ways to join NPWS. We employ staff in a range of specialised areas based all over NSW.
Learn more about specialist and corporate roles.
Learn more about working at NSW National Parks.