Applying to Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service?
Practise the NFA firefighter selection tests — Working with Numbers, Understanding Information, and Situational Awareness — with timed simulations built for Hampshire Fire & Rescue candidates.
Hampshire Fire & Rescue
Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service (HFRS) serves one of England's largest counties — covering Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester, Basingstoke, and the Isle of Wight. It is one of the busiest services outside the major metropolitan areas, and wholetime firefighter vacancies are highly sought after.
HFRS uses the National Firefighter Selection process. The NFA tests — Working with Numbers, Understanding Information, and Situational Awareness — are sat online as part of the initial sift, before physical and interview assessments.
Hampshire's diverse geography means its firefighters respond to everything from coastal incidents and port emergencies at Southampton and Portsmouth to rural fires and road collisions across the New Forest and South Downs. The breadth of the role is part of what makes it so appealing — and so competitive.
The Understanding Information test is particularly important for a role that requires following and acting on written operational guidance quickly. Practising reading under time pressure — and distinguishing between what the passage says versus what you already know — is a skill that develops with repetition.
The three NFA tests
All three simulations are included for £14.99. Each is timed, scored, and comes with full answer explanations.
Working with Numbers
45 min · 32 questions
Numerical reasoning using fire-service data. No calculator.
Understanding Information
35 min · 25 questions
Read a passage and answer True / False / Cannot Say questions.
Situational Awareness
35 min · 30 questions
Fire-service SJT scenarios — most and least appropriate responses.
Hampshire Fire & Rescue — common questions
Which NFA tests will I sit?
The National Firefighter Ability (NFA) tests include Working with Numbers (45 min, 32 questions), Understanding Information (35 min, 25 questions), and Situational Awareness & Problem Solving (35 min, 30 questions). All are multiple-choice. Some services may use variants — always confirm with your specific brigade.
Can I use a calculator in the Working with Numbers test?
No — calculators are not permitted. You will be given rough working paper. Practise mental arithmetic and written working as part of your preparation.
How much does it cost to practise?
Full access to all three NFA test simulations is £14.99, one-time. No subscription, no recurring charges, and access never expires.
Does Hampshire FRS use the NFA tests?
Yes — HFRS uses the National Firefighter Selection process including the NFA ability tests as part of the online application stage.
What is the Hampshire FRS firefighter salary?
Nationally agreed rates apply — development rate approximately £26,000–£28,000, rising to around £37,000 on full competency. Always check the active vacancy for current figures.