Firefighter

Overview As a member of the military, Firefighters prevent the loss of life or property due to fire. They perform a variety of tasks including aircraft rescue, structural, and wild land firefighting, automobile extrication, hazardous material, and confined space/high-angle rescue. Fire investigation, fire prevention and life safety inspection are also areas of expertise.

The primary responsibilities of Firefighters are to:

• Perform rescue, extinguishment, ventilation, overhaul, and forcible entry operations
• Drive and operate all types of firefighting vehicles
• Inspect and test fixed fire suppression and detection systems
• Maintain fire department equipment such as ladders, hose, rope, breathing apparatus, extinguishers, personal protective equipment, and all associated rescue equipment and vehicles
• Perform inspector duties, conduct inspections, and project reviews in order to make recommendations and corrective measures
• Provide peer and public instruction and education
• Provide helicopter rescue and damage control services as a member of a firefighting team
• Respond as part of an Airfield Engineering Squadron
• Respond to aircraft cable engagements and provide mobile arrestor gear skills
• Perform emergency medical response

Work environment Although members of the Air Force, Firefighters may work to support Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy, or Royal Canadian Air Force operations. Firefighters provide 24 hour fire protection by working in teams that rotate responsibilities and shifts, and are supported by day staff that includes the Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief and Inspectors. Firefighters may deploy away from their home base in support of military operations in Canada or abroad for up to six months. Appropriate training, environmental clothing and equipment are provided.

If you chose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.

Entry plans

• Direct Entry Options

The minimum required education to apply for this occupation is :

• Graduation from an accredited fire service program, or,

• Secondary school graduation certificate or Quebec Secondary 5, including:

• Gr 10 / Mathematics 416 or CST 4

Applicants to the Firefighter occupation must have a valid driver’s licence.

The ideal candidate will already have a college diploma, the CAF will decide if your academic program matches the training criteria for this job and may place you directly into the required on-the-job training program following basic training. Basic training and military occupation training is required before being assigned.

Firefighter is a very popular occupation and, as a result, very competitive. Successful applicants often have additional education in a related field or previous experience as a full- or part-time firefighter. Applicants should be physically fit, follow a physical fitness program and pursue an active and healthy lifestyle.

All applicants are required to successfully pass the Firefighter Pre-Entry Fitness Evaluation prior to beginning training at the Canadian Forces Fire Academy.

Foreign education may be accepted.

Training The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course, or Basic Training, held at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. A goal of this course is to ensure that all recruits maintain the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding.

Firefighters attend the Canadian Forces Fire Academy in Borden, Ontario. Training takes approximately 7 months and includes the following topics:

• Operation of fire apparatus
• Structural operations at the site of a fire
• Fire and life safety practices
• Aircraft rescue firefighting operations
• Rescue during situations presenting special problems
• Operation of portable fire extinguishers
• Operation of fire apparatus ancillary equipment
• Wild land operations at the site of a fire
• Map reading
• Physical fitness standards
• Hazardous material awareness

Firefighters may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training, including:

• Structural firefighter
• Airport firefighter
• Fire inspector
• Fire investigator
• Fire instructor
• Hazardous material incident commander
• Fire officer
• Hazardous material technician

Related Civilian Occupations

• Structural Firefighter
• Airport Firefighter
• Fire Inspector
• Fire Service Instructor