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Inclusive recruitment for a future ready fire and emergency workforce
As fire and emergency services navigate shifting demographics, operational complexity, and increasing community expectations, inclusive recruitment has emerged as a critical workforce sustainability and capability strategy.
Grounded in the Inclusive Recruitment Doctrine, this presentation explores the extensive business case supporting evidence-based equitable workforce design can expand access to talent, strengthen trust, and enhance operational effectiveness and readiness across Australia and New Zealand.
As part of this discussion, we will also discuss the evolution of Physical Aptitude Testing (PAT). Research shows that validated, task-based assessments better reflect the inherent requirements of modern firefighting, reducing unnecessary barriers while maintaining rigorous safety and performance standards.
The session will also present early insights from the cross jurisdictional Request for Information (RFI), which is gathering evidence on how PATs are developed, validated, delivered, and experienced across the sector. These findings highlight emerging best practice, system gaps, and opportunities to harmonise approaches and strengthen organisational strategy across the sector.
Importantly, the presentation integrates lived experience perspectives gathered through doctrine development and agency engagement, highlighting the impact and opportunities presented by a more equitable approach to recruitment through a personal lens.
Anchored in the conference theme Leading Together: Integrity, Inclusion and Impact, this session illustrates how evidence, collaboration, and inclusive design can help organisations harness innovation, plan proactively for the workforce of the future, and maintain service excellence in a changing population.
Grounded in the Inclusive Recruitment Doctrine, this presentation explores the extensive business case supporting evidence-based equitable workforce design can expand access to talent, strengthen trust, and enhance operational effectiveness and readiness across Australia and New Zealand.
As part of this discussion, we will also discuss the evolution of Physical Aptitude Testing (PAT). Research shows that validated, task-based assessments better reflect the inherent requirements of modern firefighting, reducing unnecessary barriers while maintaining rigorous safety and performance standards.
The session will also present early insights from the cross jurisdictional Request for Information (RFI), which is gathering evidence on how PATs are developed, validated, delivered, and experienced across the sector. These findings highlight emerging best practice, system gaps, and opportunities to harmonise approaches and strengthen organisational strategy across the sector.
Importantly, the presentation integrates lived experience perspectives gathered through doctrine development and agency engagement, highlighting the impact and opportunities presented by a more equitable approach to recruitment through a personal lens.
Anchored in the conference theme Leading Together: Integrity, Inclusion and Impact, this session illustrates how evidence, collaboration, and inclusive design can help organisations harness innovation, plan proactively for the workforce of the future, and maintain service excellence in a changing population.
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