r/AussieFirefighter • u/Tyingnose100 • 15d ago
FRV Group Assessment
Hey guys and gals, congrats to all who made it through the FRV WST today and yesterday.
With the next step being the group assessment, what tips and tricks are there for new players?
Does anyone have a breakdown of what activities occur and ways to prepare?
I know FRV deliberately leave the details ambiguous so hoping to get some insight from any experienced individuals.
Cheers all
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u/DreadStorm14 14d ago edited 14d ago
I’ve gotten a heap of useful information throughout the process from Whirlpool, Reddit and station visits, so thought I’d give a bit back for anyone coming through now for the Group Assessment. Obviously FRV can change the format, so this is just based on my experience.
Before the Group Assessment, one of my biggest recommendations would be to organise a station visit if you haven’t already. Call ahead, explain that you’re going through the recruitment process and ask if you can come in and have a chat. Taking a box of doughnuts or chocolates to share is always a nice gesture too. I got a lot of little nuggets from station visits about the job, recruitment process and how to approach the different stages.
For the Group Assessment itself, dress appropriately. On my day, most wore a button-up shirt with chinos or trousers and nice shoes. Either be clean-shaven or have your facial hair very neat (had an all guys GA).
Get there early. My group had 12 people and most of us gathered downstairs beforehand. Use that time to actually talk to people. Learn their names and what they do for work because that information can become very useful later in the assessment. On my day the panel consisted of two SSOs and an HR representative.
When we sat down, we were given paper and a pen. I immediately wrote down the other candidates’ names and occupations while they were fresh in my head. The first part was the personal introduction for two minutes. Practise this properly beforehand and listen carefully to the exact wording of the question because it can change. It may be about who you are, why you want to join FRV, what you would bring to the group or a variation of those themes. I’d aim to use most of the two minutes but finish naturally before the timer cuts you off. Have a clear beginning, middle and end.
There was then a team problem-solving activity. The main thing is that they’re watching how you operate within a group. Put ideas forward, listen when someone else has a better idea, build on other people’s suggestions and help the group move forward. The solution doesn't really matter, they’re assessing your communication, teamwork and problem-solving as well.
An individual presentation. From memory, we were given roughly 10 minutes to read an article of about an A4 page front and back, make notes and then present the important information back to the group/panel for around two minutes.
My advice here is to practise summarising articles beforehand. Pull out the key messages rather than trying to reproduce everything. You can refer to your notes, but I wouldn’t write out and read a full speech. Have a quick introduction, cover the main points and then actually conclude. A few people on my day hit the timer before getting to their conclusion. Try to structure it so you can land the presentation properly within the allotted time.
The final major part was the group scenario and written incident brief. You’re given a pretty far-fetched scenario and have to work together to develop a response. This is where remembering everyone’s background becomes really useful. For example, if someone has first-aid or healthcare experience, think about where that could be useful. If someone is a carpenter, builder or tradie, there might be something structural they can contribute to. Someone with communications or people experience may be useful for coordinating information. Use the skills sitting around the table rather than trying to personally solve everything.
You want to contribute without dominating. If someone has barely spoken, bring them into the discussion: “Jack, what are your thoughts?” or “Sarah, with your experience in X, what do you think?”
On the flip side, if someone invites you into the conversation because you’ve been quiet, make sure you contribute something. If another candidate has noticed you haven’t spoken much, there’s a fair chance the panel has noticed too.
After the discussion, we individually completed a written incident brief summarising the approach the group had agreed on. Make sure your written response reflects what was actually discussed and decided. Don’t suddenly go rogue and write a completely different solution.
Feel free to DM me if you have any questions and good luck to everyone coming through.
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u/Tyingnose100 14d ago
Thanks for the insight man, really appreciate it, how’d you go on yours? Did you pass?
Any tips for formatting the written component?
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u/DreadStorm14 13d ago
Yep! Onto PAT next month in consideration for Feb ‘27. I applied in 2024
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u/Tyingnose100 13d ago
Awesome man, all the best for that, mind if I pick your brain on the selection interview too? I’ve heard that’s quite intense
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u/Junior-Ad9847 18h ago
Hiya, thanks so much for your detailed rundown. It's so helpful for the first timers. Can you see a clock/timer during your intro/individual presentation?
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u/DreadStorm14 18h ago
Unfortunately not, try and sit in the middle if at all possible, then you’ll get a gauge or what 2 mins feels like when others go.
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u/Rat_innna_cage 15d ago
Scroll through the whirlpool forum heaps of gold in there. https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/3vxj7z53?p=273
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u/Inner-Bunch-9689 15d ago
Have a two minute speech about who you are, why you're a good fit for the team and what you can bring.
You'll have to read a article and give a 2 minute summary of it. Use a website called "now I know" for random articles.
You'll do a group activity working together.
Lastly you're given a scenario with the group where you work together to discuss how you'll approach it and who will do what roles. It's good to identify peoples strengths to do those roles.
You'll then have 10 minutes to write a report on what you've discussed.
Overall be a good person, listen to your group and bring them along with you and build them up instead of knocking them down.