With tighter budgets and reduced staffing, Fire & Rescue Services need more efficient and reliable assessment methods.
Perceptions of fairness are reduced when assessment methods differ across levels and when internal interviewers or assessors are involved.
The CPG is an online, behaviour-based assessment solution based on the NFCC Leadership Framework, FRS Values and Code of Ethics. It is designed for multiple levels (Crew to Strategic Manager, grey and green book) within the Fire & Rescue Services.
The CPG is a robust, consistent, and efficient solution for promotional assessments. It’s easy to set up and complete, proving effective in selecting the best talent cost-effectively.
The CPG uses a case study and video role-play set in a realistic but generic fire-service context, ensuring relevance and fairness. It is modular, flexible and supported with e-learning, candidate briefing and feedback, making it a full system that supports both assessment and development.
Read our client project to learn more.
Benefits of the CPG
Administration
Exercises
We offer exercises designed for Firefighter recruitment and management progression across eight levels. At each level, candidates complete two exercises: a Case Study and a video Role-play.
From first application to career transitions, we support firefighters at every stage of their journey — helping them grow, lead, and thrive.
Exercise Validity
Strong evidence supports the validity of professionally designed assessment centres. Using two exercises and experienced Occupational Psychologists ensures fairness, while remote assessments minimise bias. Tailored exercises for the Fire & Rescue Service align with specific role requirements and are grounded in the well-researched FRS Leadership Behaviours Framework.
VCA’s 20 + years of experience with over 30 Fire & Rescue Services guarantees reliable implementation. We analyse data bi-annually and adhere to BPS best practices for validation, collaborating with an independent Occupational Psychologist to evaluate our tools and results
If you’d like to learn more about how VCA can help your organisation assess, develop, and retain talent, get in touch:
+44 (0)1202 798272
Results
Assessments and scoring are conducted remotely by experienced VCA Occupational Psychologist and leadership professional assessors, or preferred internal assessors. Using a leadership-based behavioural framework, candidates are scored from 0 (no evidence) to 3 (significant evidence) in each area, generating easy-to-interpret percentage scores for overall and individual performance. Assessors provide supporting evidence which is used to automatically populate a detailed feedback report, which includes developmental guidance.
Results are generated automatically, delivering score tables within days of assessment completion.
The final feedback report is accessible via the CPG portal for Learning & Development/HR personnel. Marking criteria can be mapped to align with your organisation’s competencies.
Developmental Feedback
We believe feedback is just as crucial as the assessment, significantly impacting candidate well-being, performance, and motivation. We provide detailed reports for each candidate, including personalised psychological evaluations of strengths, development needs, and next steps for skill enhancement.
Candidates particularly value our online feedback sessions with the assessment team, where we discuss performance, actionable improvements, and support strategies, such as coaching or mentoring, to enhance their experience and development
Developmental Feedback LITE
In the new CPG LITE version, exercises, criteria, and standardised scoring match the full CPG. However, assessors can now select two statements from a pre-written list for each score instead of writing a paragraph of evidence. This list is derived from hundreds of previous assessments, ensuring relevance and precision. Both the full CPG and CPG Feedback LITE reports are automatically generated based on the assessment content.
With less time spent on evidence writing, the CPG Feedback LITE is offered at a lower price, ideal for Crew and Watch Manager assessments with high candidate volumes. While VCA assessors handle objective scoring, internal assessors can be trained to use the CPG Feedback LITE as well.
Pre-CPG Candidate Preparation
Clients benefit greatly from a one-hour interactive briefing before assessments, ensuring candidates are well-prepared and know what to expect for optimal performance. During the session, candidates can ask questions and familiarise themselves with assessment methods, criteria, and reporting, reducing uncertainty and improving engagement.
The workshop can be led by an in-house trainer with provided materials, or delivered by one of our consultants via MS Teams. Topics covered include an introduction to the Career Progression Gateway (CPG), performance tips, common mistakes, and is supported by access to the CPG e-learning course.
Take a look at our CPG Step by Step Guide to show you exactly how the system runs for the candidate, assessors and HR team.
