Case Study: Essex County Fire & Rescue Service achieves faster, more diverse hiring with Arctic Shores

How Essex Fire & Rescue Service saved time and increased diversity by hiring for potential

Essex County Fire & Rescue Service worked with Arctic Shores to improve its firefighter recruitment process. The service needed to handle more than 1,000 applications a year for just 36 vacancies, while reducing manual effort, removing bias, and widening the candidate pool without harming diversity.

Arctic Shores introduced its task-based assessment to screen candidates by potential before the assessment centre, using a fit profile based on traits linked to success in the role. This helped Essex County Fire & Rescue Service save over 1,000 hours, sift out 90% of candidates while maintaining a diverse pipeline, and achieve a 100% pass rate for Level 3 Operational Firefighter apprentices, all while improving efficiency and supporting future leadership development.

Essex County Fire & Rescue

Steve Tovey

Head of Resourcing