Why Choose a Firefighter Career in Canada?

December 22, 2022

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

A firefighter career is an honourable way to give back to your community while helping those in need! This fast-paced and challenging career requires dedication to the profession and has been referred to as a “calling”.

If you are thinking about becoming a firefighter, read on to learn more about this type of vocation and how you can join the company of Canadian firefighters.

Increasing Demands for Firefighters in Canada

There are demands for firefighters across Canada in both small communities and large cities. Unfortunately, due to Mother Nature and human nature, there will always be a need for firefighters in various fields.

Two main factors for this are the employment growth standards and the impending retirements of Baby Boomers and Gen X firefighters.

What Are Different Jobs Firefighters Can Accomplish?

With experience, constant training and education, and dedication, a firefighter’s position can expand through various avenues. Certified firefighters can move up the ranks within a municipal fire department, the Canadian military, and private companies and organizations.

Many smaller Canadian communities have volunteer firefighters who have basic medical certifications, fire training, and may be paid a percentage or be unpaid.
A firefighter may choose to become an inspector of building safety fire codes. Their focus is directed on educating the public on preventing hazardous conditions.
Wildland firefighters concentrate on stopping forest fires and protecting high risk areas. Their training focuses on specific types of fire to promote plant growth.
Working as a firefighter engineer, the responsibilities are directed to the operation, maintenance, and care of emergency vehicles and equipment. They drive heavy equipment trucks in severe weather and traffic conditions.
If a love of aviation is apparent, a firefighter may choose to work at an airport to manage emergencies and airplane fires. These firefighters work with chemical agents and foams to extinguish mechanical fires.
In areas where emergency personnel access is low, firefighter/EMTs respond to both medical and fire emergencies. Their basic firefighter training is complemented with extensive EMT certification.
Similar to a firefighter/EMT, a firefighter/paramedic is trained to handle medical emergencies and battle fires. The firefighter/paramedic provides all forms of medical care and diagnosis on scene of an emergency.
A fire investigator attends fire scenes once the blaze is extinguished to determine the cause of the fire. They must understand scientific methods of fire to analyze evidence.
Fire marshals have a combination of firefighter, inspector, and medical training to help identify high-risk situations before a fire begins. They have the legal ability to enforce fire codes and investigate fires.
Although a fire chief manages the business side of the fire department, they too continue their role as a firefighter in fighting fires. Most fire chiefs maintain their medical response training as a paramedic or EMT.

How Competitive Is Firefighting in Canada?

To become a firefighter in Canada, a person must have extensive knowledge and firefighter training. Each fire department or commercial position holds its own regulations and policies for how to become a certified firefighter.

Average Pay Scale of a Firefighter in Canada

According to payscale.com, the average firefighter salary in Canada is $70,934, based on salary profiles submitted up to September 2022. The pay range is based on location, level of certification, experience, and skills. The lowest hourly rates are found in the Maritimes and Quebec with higher paid salaries found in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario.

Can an Immigrant Be a Firefighter in Canada?

For those who are, or once were, a firefighter in their home country, they may qualify for a Canadian Permanent residency Visa. In addition, the National Occupation Code in Demand List (NOC) includes firefighters as a targeted occupation. Firefighters of other countries can apply under the Canadian Government’s Immigration program.

What Skills Are Required to Succeed?

To become a qualified firefighter, there are specific prerequisites depending on the role and location of the firefighter position available. In addition to a high-school diploma or equivalency, certification by a college fire protection program, fire science, or other related course may be required. There are mandatory physical fitness, agility, and strength tests as well as vision requirements.

Necessary Pre-Service Firefighter Program to Become a Firefighter

Pre firefighter training in Ontario is set by each municipality. A Pre-Service Fire Fighter Education & Training Program Certification or a NFPA 1001 Fire Fighter I & II certification from an accredited program at a recognized institution accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) is needed.

NFPA 1001 Firefighter Level I and II

These certifications are part of the intensive entry-level training program. Participants learn hands-on and classroom lessons on safety and management of fire extinguishment. Prerequisites include being of 18+ years of age, holding an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or the equivalent, completion of a medical screening form, and being certified in Standard First Aid CPR Level “C” with AED or First Aid BLS issued by a recognized provider.

NFPA 1072 Hazardous Materials Awareness

There are no prerequisites with this certification. The focus is understanding and learning how to respond to emergencies containing hazardous materials. It is designed for fire, police, and EMS personnel who are first on the scene of a hazardous materials emergency. The Hazardous Materials Awareness course is accredited by the IFE (Institute of Fire Engineers Canada).

NFPA 1072 Hazardous Materials Operations

Understanding hazardous materials entails knowing how to properly handle and manage such materials in an emergency situation. This program meets the Ontario Fire Marshal’s requirements to achieve Firefighter level II designation and provides certification of the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) accreditation. It provides the stepping stone to take the Office of the Fire Marshal provincial exam for the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Accreditation for Awareness and Operations levels.

FESTI’s Firefighter Training Process and Facilities

As a private college, Fire and Emergency Service Training Institute (FESTI) offers training to future and existing firefighters, emergency personnel, and industry-related participants. As the largest ARFF training provider in Canada, we offer a range of training programs and courses with accredited certification.

Register for a course or program by clicking here and complete the webpage registration. Or for more information about FESTI, contact us today.

How to Develop Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Fire Services Department

December 20, 2022

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Equality, inclusion, and diversity in fire services has recently become a developing issue across the country. Fire departments are striving to create a recruitment platform to rise above traditional barriers to address gender and racial inequality.

For example, as of mid-2022, less than 5% of Canadian firefighters were women. The number of non-Caucasian firefighters unfortunately is even lower.

What Is Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in Fire Services?

Improvements are being made every day in the more than 3,672 fire departments in Canada to address equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Equality refers to having the same opportunities, rights, responsibilities, and status as others, regardless of gender, capabilities, beliefs, and background.

Diversity celebrates the differences in a group of people focusing on their lifestyles, interests, and their ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds.

Inclusion is the effort made to accept and include those who have been excluded because of their diversity.

Benefits of Diversifying Fire Services

By diversifying all fields, particularly the fire services industry, employees can be better supported thereby providing a better quality of service. Here are some benefits of diversifying fire services.

Creativity leading to positive resolutions
Firefighter retainment
Increased recruitment success
Improvement of morale
Support of department initiatives
Reduced physical and mental stress
Support by community

Challenges in Diversifying Your Fire Department

Meeting a level of diversity in your fire department can be rewarding but it can also be challenging to commit to inclusion and diversity. Change can happen only if acknowledgment is made of the existence of a diversity-toxic culture within the fire services field.

Pre-Service Fire Training Program Cost

One hidden challenge to become a firefighter is the cost of pre-firefighter training programs. These programs are paid by the candidate and can cost tens of thousands of dollars. A steep price for lower and middle-class workers.

To add fuel to the fire, there is no guarantee of a paid position with certification. Furthermore, some certified candidates do not pass the necessary physical, medical, aptitude, and interpersonal tests put forth by the individual hiring fire departments.

Finding New Talent

Despite a firm commitment and demonstration of finding new talent, small and large fire departments across the country are still struggling to fill positions. As the largest fire department in the country, Toronto Fire Services is always looking for recruits for firefighter training. Enhancements to inclusion, diversity, and equality aspects of every fire service can increase the number of applicants.

Recruiting Female Firefighters

Females are part of the less than 5% of visible minorities hired by fire services. Recruitment practices require using all social media platforms, hands-on demonstrations, and event presentations. These and other recruiting methods can be effective if conducted by active female firefighters.

Fire Service Leaders

Firefighter leaders are appointed for their years of experience as a firefighter, their dedication to education and training, and for their leadership skills. The challenge in achieving diversity begins with a fire service leader’s role in actively recruiting to all qualified candidates, with no exceptions.

How Can Firefighter Leaders Help with Diversifying?

The role and responsibility of a fire service leader in diversifying the department’s recruitment process requires attention. To be an effective leader, negatives attitudes, behaviours, and misconceptions must be abolished. This extends to other members of the company through positive modelling behaviour.

Strategic Plan Development and Implementation

Toronto firefighters, and other fire companies throughout the country, can benefit with an updated strategic plan development and implementation of said plan. For equality and fairness, the plan provides a detailed outline on how to attain the mission, vision, and values of the entire fire company. For a successful implementation, the plan should be regularly reviewed and updated to encompass communication of all fire service members.

Effective Communication

With firefighter communication training, inclusion can be better achieved by implementing an open-door policy. Fire service leaders lead by example to promote effective communication. This can help create an environment based on inclusion, diversity, and equality for present and potential members.

The communication extends to members of the local community, especially since it is the public that firefighters serve. Jobseekers of all talents and skills search for a position with a level playing field for various roles and responsibilities.

Publishing Detailed Job Descriptions

The same jobseekers should be evaluated for the open position and all of the responsibilities that are attached. Fire service leaders can appeal to a wider diverse population with an extensive detailed listing of the job description. This can relay performance expectations and skills required for advancement.

Accurate descriptions for both potential and existing fire service members can provide a sense of value and being heard, boost morale, and reduce mental and physical stress of job performance. Focusing on a person’s skills for the particular job rather than under a generic umbrella should be highlighted in the description.

Training and Development

Training and development opportunities are found to be biased and categorized to those in operational fields. All members of a fire service company need to have access to training programs. An inclusive opportunity is beneficial to the company and to the community. Lack of diversity within a company can often be traced to a deficiency in access to training and development for everyone.

Individual Development Plans and Performance Reviews

The ability to access training programs can be compared to the existence of individual development plans and performance reviews. Fire service leaders need to organize these reviews on a regular basis as a person’s goals may require adjustments over time. Basing development on the individual’s talent and skills as opposed to their cultural background shows appreciation, respect, and support for their professional goals.

How Can FESTI Help with Firefighter Training and Development?

The firefighter training and development programs at the Fire and Emergency Services Training Institute (FESTI) support and promote diversity, inclusion, and equality. We offer various in-person and online classroom instructions with hands-on certifications. As an active member of Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, we have exclusive on-site training facilities.

Register for a course or program by clicking here and complete the webpage registration. Or for more information about FESTI, contact us today.

How to Become a Firefighter in Canada

December 12, 2022

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Want to become a firefighter in Ontario? Joining the prestigious team of men and women dedicated to protecting their neighbors is one of the highest privileges you can have. We at the Fire and Emergency Training Institute (FESTI) want to help you!

Firefighters fight fires, attend medical emergencies, perform post-fire cleanup, and educate the public, among other daily tasks. In learning how to become a firefighter, it is important to understand and accept the dedication, training, and education that becomes part of the “job”.

Fire Department Ranks in Canada

Volunteer firefighter
Probationary firefighter
Firefighter/EMT
Firefighter/Paramedic
Driver Engineer
Lieutenant
Captain
Battalion Chief
Assistant Chief
Fire Chief

Basic/Minimum Requirements to Become a Firefighter in Canada

18 years of age or older at the time of the application
Legally able to work in Canada
Valid Standard First Aid Certificate, CPR Level HCP
No criminal convictions for which a pardon has not been granted
Pleasure Craft Operator Card
Possess an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD – Grade 12) or academic equivalency
Valid Ontario “G” class license (* Must have no more than two infractions)
Valid Physical Fitness Assessment
20/30 uncorrected vision without corrective lenses
Normal colour vision, passes Ishihara Test, and passes Farnsworth D-15
Have depth perception and peripheral vision that is safe for firefighting
Normal unaided hearing thresholds no greater than 30 decibels in each ear at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz, and no significant loss in higher frequencies
Ability to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays
Work well under high-pressure situations
Meet medical standards free of acrophobia and claustrophobia
Speak, read, and write in English fluently, and communicate clearly and precisely under demanding, high-pressure

Recruitment Criteria for Entry Level Firefighters in Ontario

Pre-Service Fire Fighter Education & Training Program Certificate, or
NFPA 1001 Firefighter Levels I & II from a recognized institution, or
OFM curriculum components 1, 2 and 3 with examination certificate, 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
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

Requirements and Criteria for Becoming a Volunteer Firefighter

While volunteer firefighters may or may not be paid by a municipality, the positions require a different set of criteria. Volunteer firefighters require a valid Driver’s License, must be a minimum of 18 years of age, be able to understand and communicate in English and/or French (written and oral), and physically able to perform tasks and duties of the job. Other considerations include being able to commit to scheduled training, live and/or work in the response area, be of sound and positive ethics, thrive in a team environment, and have no convictions of a criminal offense related to the job duties of a firefighter.

Pre-Service Firefighter Education & Certified Training Programs

To be a full-time firefighter, there are certifications and training courses to obtain through the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). FESTI offers these and other emergency training courses. The training offers real-life experiences in responding and fighting fires and emergency situations, auto-extrication, firefighting survival, search and rescue, fighting vehicle fires, and handling flammable liquid fires. Working on-site with professionals helps students learn how to be a firefighter.