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How to Become a Firefighter
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Becoming a firefighter in Ontario is a rewarding and challenging career choice. Firefighters are responsible for protecting their communities and saving lives by responding to emergencies such as fires, medical emergencies, and hazardous materials incidents.
Becoming a full-time firefighter in a **municipal department involves meeting specific requirements, which can differ depending on the department. Therefore, researching the qualifications for each department before applying is crucial to ensuring your eligibility. With that being said, here’s a general overview of the steps to take to become a firefighter in Ontario.
basic/ minimum requirements
- Must be 18 years of age or older at the time of application
- Legally entitled to work for any employer in Canada (Citizen or Permanent Resident)
- No criminal convictions for which a pardon has not been granted
- Possess an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent
- Valid Standard First Aid certificate and a CPR Level HCP (for Health Care Providers)
- Valid, Unrestricted Ontario "G" class license (or equivalent for other provinces) * Must have no more than two (2) infractions
- Valid Physical Fitness Assessment
- Have depth perception and peripheral vision that is safe for firefighting
- Meet medical standards free of acrophobia and claustrophobia
- 20/30 vision without corrective lenses
- Normal colour vision
- Normal unaided hearing
- Speak, read and write English fluently, and communicate clearly and precisely under demanding, high-pressure
- Ability to work on rotating shifts; including nights, weekends and holidays
- Work well in high-pressure situations
Licenses & Certificates for employment within ontario
- Pre-Service Fire Fighter Education & Training Program Certificate, OR
- NFPA 1001 Firefighter Levels I & II from a recognized institution, OR
- Minimum of two years’ experience as a full-time firefighter in a municipal fire department, OR
- Minimum of five years’ experience as a part-time firefighter in a municipal fire department, OR
- Class “D” license with “Z” air brake endorsement (dependent on fire department)
- Ontario Fire Administration INC. (OFAI) Testing Stages 1, 2 and 3 with Swim Test
- Firefighter Services of Ontario Testing
Fire departments have begun implementing NFPA standards to standardize training for all new recruits. This means that you need both your NFPA 1001 Firefighter Level I & II and NFPA 1072 Hazmat Awareness & Hazmat Operations certificates. NFPA 1001 identifies the minimum job performance requirements for firefighters whose duties are primarily structural in nature. NFPA 1072 goes over procedures for handling hazardous materials/weapons of mass destruction. These are certificates that are obtained once and never expire.
Learn more about NFPA 1001 Firefighter Level I & II and NFPA 1072 Hazmat Awareness & Hazmat Operations certificates
Please note that this is general information, and it is important for potential applicants to be aware that the recruitment process for each municipality may vary by department, and it is the responsibility of the applicant to research and understand the specific criteria for the job for which they are applying.
About Volunteer Firefighters
Although becoming a volunteer firefighter is not a required step in becoming a full-time firefighter, it can increase your chances of landing a full-time position. Several departments look for around 3-5 years of experience before hiring someone full-time. Contrary to its title, volunteer firefighting is a paid position. The pay can vary based on several factors, but hopefully this eases some of your worries regarding the position.
Enhance your application
- Aquire a higher level of medical training (Such as Emergency First Responder - EFR)
- Get involved in your community
- Become a volunteer or military firefighter
- Learn a skilled trade
- Aquire specialized training
- Aquire outside the box training (Leadership training, mental health training, conflict resolution training)
- Become fluent in another language, including sign language
Firerecruitment.ca is a valuable tool for individuals to stay informed about the latest firefighter job opportunities in Ontario.
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