The Firefighter PQAs Explained — and What Replaced Them
Quick answer
The National Firefighter Selection Personal Qualities and Attributes (PQAs) were: Commitment to Diversity and Integrity, Openness to Change, Confidence and Resilience, Working with Others, Effective Communication, Commitment to Development, Problem Solving, Situational Awareness, and Commitment to Excellence. The NFCC says its Leadership Framework replaces the PQAs, and many services now assess against that Framework and the Core Code of Ethics, though a few still refer to PQAs.
For years, UK firefighter selection was built around the Personal Qualities and Attributes, or PQAs. You'll still see them in older guides, forums and some services' material. But the NFCC now says its Leadership Framework replaces them, and many services also assess against the Core Code of Ethics. This guide explains what each PQA meant, what replaced them, and how to turn PQA-style examples into evidence for today's frameworks.
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The PQAs at a glance
A 2019 PQA guidance document still linked from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service's recruitment pages lists nine National Firefighter Selection PQAs. Some older sources, including material on the National Firefighter Questionnaire, list seven, leaving out Effective Communication and Problem Solving.
- ✓Commitment to Diversity and Integrity — understanding and respecting diversity, and treating others fairly and ethically
- ✓Openness to Change — being open to change and supporting it
- ✓Confidence and Resilience — staying confident and resilient in challenging situations
- ✓Working with Others — working effectively with colleagues and the community
- ✓Effective Communication — communicating well, spoken and written
- ✓Commitment to Development — developing yourself and others
- ✓Problem Solving — understanding, applying and adapting information in an organised, safe way
- ✓Situational Awareness — staying aware of your environment to work safely
- ✓Commitment to Excellence — a conscientious, proactive approach to high standards
What replaced them
The NFCC says: 'The Leadership Framework replaces the Personal Qualities and Attributes (PQAs), making them simpler, and provides a consistent approach to leadership and development for all staff.' The Framework has four quadrants — Personal Impact, Outstanding Leadership, Service Delivery and Organisational Effectiveness — measured at four levels, with 'Leading Yourself' as the level for firefighters.
Separately, the Core Code of Ethics sets out five principles for fire and rescue services in England: putting our communities first; integrity; dignity and respect; leadership; and equality, diversity and inclusion. Many services name one or both in their recruitment material.
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Do any services still use PQAs?
A few do. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service still links PQA guidance for its interviews, and some services describe 'behaviours, personal qualities and attributes' in their own words. Others have moved to their own values. The only reliable answer is your service's current candidate pack.
How the PQAs map to the newer frameworks
There is no official one-to-one mapping, but PQA examples are rarely wasted. This is our rough guide to where each kind of evidence fits now.
- ✓Commitment to Diversity and Integrity → Personal Impact; Integrity; Dignity and respect; EDI
- ✓Openness to Change → Organisational Effectiveness ('open to, and positively engage with, new ways of working')
- ✓Confidence and Resilience → Personal Impact (looking after yourself and others); Leadership (flexible and resilient)
- ✓Working with Others and Effective Communication → Outstanding Leadership; Service Delivery
- ✓Commitment to Development → Personal Impact ('opportunities to learn and develop')
- ✓Problem Solving and Situational Awareness → Service Delivery; Organisational Effectiveness (speaking out about safety risks)
- ✓Commitment to Excellence → Outstanding Leadership ('responsibility and accountability for the quality of my own work')
Turning PQA examples into stronger evidence
Newer frameworks put more weight on a few themes that PQA-era answers often skipped: safeguarding and vulnerable people, looking after your own and others' wellbeing, challenging inappropriate behaviour, speaking up about risk, and inclusion in practice. When you revisit an old example, ask whether it shows any of those — and whether there's a better example that does.
Keep using STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result), spend most of your answer on what you did and why, and end with what you learned. Our interview questions guide has examples mapped to the Framework and the Code of Ethics.
Frequently asked questions
How many firefighter PQAs are there?
The National Firefighter Selection PQA guidance linked by North Wales Fire and Rescue Service lists nine: Commitment to Diversity and Integrity, Openness to Change, Confidence and Resilience, Working with Others, Effective Communication, Commitment to Development, Problem Solving, Situational Awareness and Commitment to Excellence. Some older sources list seven, leaving out Effective Communication and Problem Solving.
Have the PQAs been replaced?
Yes, according to the NFCC, which says its Leadership Framework replaces the PQAs. Many services also assess against the Core Code of Ethics. A few services still refer to PQAs, so check your candidate pack.
Can I still use my PQA examples?
Usually, yes. Most PQA examples map onto the Leadership Framework quadrants or the Code of Ethics principles. Check that each example clearly shows the behaviour your service's framework describes.
Sources
Official pages this guide is based on (checked September 2026). Processes change, so always check the latest official information. Firefighter Tests is independent and not affiliated with any of these organisations.
- NFCC — Leadership (the Leadership Framework replaces the PQAs)
- NFCC Leadership Framework (copy published by South Yorkshire FRS, PDF)
- NFCC — Leadership development career pathway
- Core Code of Ethics for Fire and Rescue Services (England), May 2021 (PDF)
- Fire Standards Board — Code of Ethics Fire Standard
- North Wales Fire and Rescue Service — Wholetime firefighter selection process