Firefighter recruitment
Becoming a firefighter means joining a team where people rely on you – often on their hardest days. It’s challenging, rewarding, and deeply meaningful work.
This page walks you through the recruitment process, what you need to qualify, and what to expect along the way. Read everything carefully before applying to make sure you’re fully prepared.
What you need to qualify
To apply, you must have:
- Grade 12 diploma
- Valid Ontario Class “D” driver’s licence with “Z” endorsement, or another licence classification that permits driving Class D vehicles, such as Class A, B, or C with Z air brake endorsement
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider certification (must be valid at the time of application)
- Standard First Aid Level C certification (must be valid at the time of application)
- NFPA 1001: Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications – Firefighter Level I and II certification
These strengthen your application:
- Post-secondary education
- Additional fire/emergency services training
- Trades qualifications
Physical & mental fitness
You must:
- Be medically fit and in excellent physical condition
- Meet the mental and physical demands of emergency work
- Be willing to work 24-hour shift schedules
- Follow orders, procedures, and safety guidelines
- Maintain professional conduct – on calls and in the community
During employment, you’ll need to maintain a high level of fitness and may be required to complete ongoing examinations to maintain required certifications. You’ll be expected to be a team player, take direction, and follow orders and procedures in a cooperative and mature manner. The successful candidate will present themselves professionally and be fully conscious of the public trust at all times.
To be considered for an interview, you must successfully progress through each phase. If you fail to meet the required standards or minimum qualifications at any phase, you may be disqualified from further consideration.
All applicants must complete screening with Firefighter Services of Ontario (FSO) to have qualifications verified and participate in the FSO Screening Test.
The FSO Screening Test includes:
- Clinical Assessment
- Aptitude Examination
- Medical Examination
- Tread Water Test
- Acrophobia Test
- Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)
- Emotional Stability and Resiliency Assessment (ESR)
Register for testing at register.fireontario.com
FSO processing and testing fees are the responsibility of the applicant.
Already completed FSO testing?
If you completed the core four tests (Clinical, CPAT, Tread Water, and Aptitude) within a year of the last test date you may only need to update expired components.
To confirm your eligibility, contact: [email protected]
You’ll be required to present the following documents for verification:
- A valid DZ driver’s licence (or another licence classification that permits driving Class D vehicles, such as Class A, B, or C with a Z air brake endorsement)
- Your original Grade 12 diploma or equivalent (post-secondary education)
- NFPA 1001: Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications – Firefighter Level I and Level II certification
Bring your valid Standard First Aid and Basic Life Support certificates with you to your appointment.
For more information and fee schedule, visit fireontario.com
Once you’ve successfully completed Phase One (FSO testing), visit the City of St. Catharines Career Centre for the open Firefighter position and apply online.
The online application will guide you through qualification questions and experience, and you’ll need to attach your resume.
Only applicants being considered will be contacted by the Human Resources Division.
All communication will be conducted via email. Be sure to add [email protected] to your email contacts to prevent messages from being directed to your junk or spam folder.
Interview stages may include:
- Virtual interview
- In-person interview
Additional testing may be requested at any stage of the recruitment process.
If you receive an offer, it will be conditional on:
- Driver’s abstract
- Vulnerable sector screening
- Employment reference checks
- Pre-employment medical examination
Medical exam costs are covered by the City. Transportation is the applicant’s responsibility.
Offers will be made once all conditions are met.
Eligibility List
The City may maintain an eligibility list for up to 24 months for future vacancies. Successful applicants who are not immediately offered employment may be contacted and given the opportunity to be placed on the list.
If future vacancies arise, candidates on the eligibility list may be contacted and could be required to participate in additional interviews or testing.
Conditional offers of employment will be made to successful applicants from the eligibility list following completion of all interviews. Pre-employment checks must be initiated and completed by the candidate after accepting the conditional offer and before the position start date.
Questions?
Inquiries about this process can be made to the Human Resources Division:
Phone: 905.688.5601 (Ext. 1486)
Email: [email protected]
Firefighter Recruitment Is Now Open!
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