Career as firefighter? Ask away!!

[fireguy9]

Anyone curious or interested in Firefighting Career ? Ask away. Been almost 17yrs at it.

Our dept is the highest paid in the Province with its current contract.
Currently a new firefighter with 3.5yrs on the job will make $76k yr plus some O/T and then higher wage at 8yrs 17yrs and 23 yrs. The highest firefighter makes $83k and a Capt makes $96k plus O/T.

Shifts depending on dept are either 7 24hr shifts per month or 14 shifts, half days and half nights.

All kinds of benefits and a amazing pension plan.

Hiring boom going on just about everywhere now or very soon

[sweet_gal_23]

heya
thanks for the information though i need more
what are the requirements for the job?
some kinda test and physical test?

[trinh]

are there any restriction on height? weight? age ??? or training required???

[fireguy9]

No restrictions on height weight age etc. If you pass and do well and board likes everything, they will hire. We hired a person age 46 approx. No idea how they passed the vision test but they did.

Min requirements gr 12 ,,, but now a large number of applicants have the firefighter college course or the firefighting school out of the U.S or here. This gives a huge advantage but does not eliminate you. Having CPR, first aid, Class DZ is a requirement for some depts. But you should have that if applying. People with trades licences are asset since this means you are usually good at working with tools. Hands on skills are better then book smarts. There are rescue courses that are a asset or scuba lic, high angle stuff and the list goes on.

Testing is a written which most depts charge a fee to get rid of the applicants who are not serious about it. Written is a few hrs long, and encompasses everything,,, listen skills, memory, math, the usual psycological tests with questions that are the same but asked 4 different ways. Situational questions and how you would deal with something.

Then comes a fitness job test which again you now pay for which tests your physical strengh doing job related stuff, stress test on the treadmill and more.

Finally interview with a panal of usually HR, and 2 or 3 members of dept (chief,and training dept personnel)

Then reference checks and job offer if successful

Then its training time. If person did not have any fire school course, the training is usually around the 8wk mark. If they did then it may be 4wks to get them trained to the depts way of operations and then they are assigned to a platoon and station.

[silvermist99]

how much do firefighter start at?

can you sleep during that 24 hour shift?

[boyoflondon]

how much do firefighter start at?

can you sleep during that 24 hour shift?

Did you not read OP's post?

+ I am pretty sure they get some sleep ... However, you are on duty 24-7, so any call you get you gotta get your ass out of bed, thus disrupting your sleep.

[silvermist99]

Did you not read OP's post?

+ I am pretty sure they get some sleep ... However, you are on duty 24-7, so any call you get you gotta get your ass out of bed, thus disrupting your sleep.


he said 76k with 3.5 year. how much with 0

[fireguy9]

how much do firefighter start at?

can you sleep during that 24 hour shift?

Yes you can sleep. Sleep depends on dept. Ours is 11pm-7am. Not the same sleep as home as you are listening for the station alarm and other station calls are heard as well.

Starting pay is approx $40-45k or about 60% of the 76k after 6 months you get a increase and then every yr you write a promotional exam for 3yrs and each yr you move up a pay grid which is about 10%

[Marlek]

When you are not sleeping and not on a call, what do you spend most of your time doing? Is it boring?

About what percentage of your time is spent on calls?

[fireguy9]

Certain amount of training must be done every month. Also depends on time of yr. We practice auto extrication, water rescue stuff, live fire training and smoke machine training.

In summer our dept has a door to door home program. Each platoon does this once per month while working the night shifts for about 4nights. Deliver smoke detector info and talk to home owners on fire safety.

Tours for kids groups,

Industrial tours to familiarize ourselves with the products and industrial stuff happening in our area

PR stuff,,,, attending summer street parties

School inspections during school yr.

Assist fire prevention with there work .

station maintainance

There is always down time,,,, but you never know,, and then it can be non stop

Over the yrs,,, they keep adding things for us to undertake.

Think with the great fire prevention education here,,, the stats on average are something like 20% of our calls are fire. The rest are false alarms,, the car accidents, medicals, and the list goes on and on for the rest of them. People call us for the strangest things, but we pretty well respond to everything.

[alv077]

Glad to see that firefighters are getting a decent pay.

... Never seen a unfriendly firefighter before =O

[YnD]

Do you guys ever just sit back and play poker while waiting on-call?

[fireguy9]

Do you guys ever just sit back and play poker while waiting on-call?

Sit back, ya, work out in station gym ya, poker,,, not yet.

[mbm]

OP u forgot the attention of ladies at charity events :P or in general

haha jokes asides...thanks a lot for the info :)

[corrupt123]

You're talking about the Burlington fire dept right?

What about an inner city department? What kind of pay scale is there, and in general, whats kind of possibilities are there for moving up the ranks?

As well, what about working for the Airport fire department? (Pearson?) Would you transfer into something like this, go straight to it, is there extra training, etc? Have you looked into this, or know anyone in this? I Met a guy who did co-op at the airport FD, but he just said he got a lot of free stuff that customs confiscated... kind of unrelated.

And on another note, whats the timeline like from first application to actually working on salary? 6 months, a year?

[fireguy9]

You're talking about the Burlington fire dept right?

What about an inner city department? What kind of pay scale is there, and in general, whats kind of possibilities are there for moving up the ranks?

As well, what about working for the Airport fire department? (Pearson?) Would you transfer into something like this, go straight to it, is there extra training, etc? Have you looked into this, or know anyone in this? I Met a guy who did co-op at the airport FD, but he just said he got a lot of free stuff that customs confiscated... kind of unrelated.

And on another note, whats the timeline like from first application to actually working on salary? 6 months, a year?


I dont work for Burlington,,, just live here,,, they make less then us.

What dept pay scale you asking about? Generally speaking the numbers I gave were our dept which is the highest currently but if you deduct 2-3k approx and that will give you an idea of GTA wide wages.

Promotions after firefighter are,, again depending on dept, after 8-10 yrs you can right the exam for acting Captain. Successful , then you Act when your capt is off and get paid a premium and eventually you will become a full captain when positions open with retirements and growth.

I work with a guy who left Pearson and now with us,,, said it was horrible working there and conditions were not good. Apparently the dept was lucky when that air france jet lit up,,, because it was shift change so they had extra guys ,, otherwise ????????

Timelines depend on if they are actively recruiting. I know our last batch went through the process very fast. It sometimes can be as fast as 1-2 months.

[just_For_ipod]

If you wear glasses, does it mean you can't be a firefighter? I vaguely remember hearing this somewhere, or was it for something else...

It would make sense since if there is an emergency, you can't be running around looking for you glasses, "Oh no I can't see, where is the fire?.."

[Rosico]

Great thread!

How many of the guys have jobs on the side since the shifts are long and compacted?

Who pays for the food at the hall?

What did you think about the guys in T.O. who left their engine running and it was stolen for a joy ride ... :lol:

[ramoose]

I dont work for Burlington,,, just live here,,, they make less then us.

What dept pay scale you asking about? Generally speaking the numbers I gave were our dept which is the highest currently but if you deduct 2-3k approx and that will give you an idea of GTA wide wages.

Promotions after firefighter are,, again depending on dept, after 8-10 yrs you can right the exam for acting Captain. Successful , then you Act when your capt is off and get paid a premium and eventually you will become a full captain when positions open with retirements and growth.

I work with a guy who left Pearson and now with us,,, said it was horrible working there and conditions were not good. Apparently the dept was lucky when that air france jet lit up,,, because it was shift change so they had extra guys ,, otherwise ????????

Timelines depend on if they are actively recruiting. I know our last batch went through the process very fast. It sometimes can be as fast as 1-2 months.


How serious is the issue of brain cancer with this job? What are your thoughts about this compensational injury and should it be? It seems more of a recurring work injury with firemen is it not?

[fireguy9]

If you wear glasses, does it mean you can't be a firefighter? I vaguely remember hearing this somewhere, or was it for something else...


Great thread!

How many of the guys have jobs on the side since the shifts are long and compacted?

Who pays for the food at the hall?

What did you think about the guys in T.O. who left their engine running and it was stolen for a joy ride ... :lol:

How serious is the issue of brain cancer with this job? What are your thoughts about this compensational injury and should it be? It seems more of a recurring work injury with firemen is it not?

-There is a min standard for the eye test. Dont recall the exact number. I had glasses when I applied and passed the test. It is just another method of weeding people out of the competition. Many people have done the laser surgery to get in, and I have heard a few people had contacts on and did not get caught during the eye test. (which was not done by eye doctor,,,, more like the drivers test eye machine). As you age many need glasses,,, fact of life. In a fire you can't see anything anyways,,, but dept now pays for eye glass inserts for our air paks and some have changed the mask to have the prescription built right into it.

-With the compacted shifts,,, there is no set number of people with other jobs, but costs of things today,,it is no different then other people trying to make more $. Some people choose to have second part time jobs,,, some have businesses, some like me,,,do some work occaisionally (painting, reno etc), but the best was when children were young, I was MR mom. With our shifts, there was a need for only 5 days daycare per month, and the rest was me. Saved a fortune and spent alot of time with kids.

-You bring your own food as you would any job,,,, but certain days of month depending on your crew,,,, we would go in on meals and buy everything needed and do breakfeasts, lunche or dinners together. The hall has a full kitchen like home.

-Stolen truck was not running,,, the person did the 2 or 3 sequiential things to start it. Should always leave someone with the truck,,, we do unless its a emerg call.

-Issue of brain cancer is only 1 of many. Ontario just recently, finally caught up with the times and passed presumptive legislation which covers us for a list occupational cancer& diseases. (brain, bladder, kidney,colorectal,Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma,Leukemia ,Ureter,Esophageal,and heart injury with 24hrs of a work call)
We can be exposed to millions of chemical poisons at calls and this now means members do not have to pour there energies in proving it was caused on the job,,,,but get WSIB coverage for them and therefamily and concentrate on battling the disease, and it is retroactive coverage for all back to 1960.

We have a couple cases at our dept.

[wanna_be]

There are a number of issues that will limit your chances of becoming a firefighter. You cannot be colour blind and you need to have depth perception. You should not be afraid of heights of course lots of people are to a certain extent but you will be tested on that by climbing a 24 foot or more ladder.

You absolutely cannot be afraid of confined spaces or have claustrophobia. Firefighters were SCBA, self contained breathing apparatus and sometimes have to work in tight quarters.


these are only a few issues more will surface in the thread as it grows

[fireguy9]

There are a number of issues that will limit your chances of becoming a firefighter. You cannot be colour blind and you need to have depth perception. You should not be afraid of heights of course lots of people are to a certain extent but you will be tested on that by climbing a 24 foot or more ladder.

You absolutely cannot be afraid of confined spaces or have claustrophobia. Firefighters were SCBA, self contained breathing apparatus and sometimes have to work in tight quarters.


these are only a few issues more will surface in the thread as it grows

Gotta say the ladder climb currently is basic. They need to make you climb the aerial to the top 33m (110 ft) or even 40ft range,,,,, that will show if you are afraid more then a 24fter

[wanna_be]

Also have to say more and more GTA and large Ontario depts are looking for people that have passed or are at least enrolled in the OFM (Ont Fire Marshal) certificate program. Some are also allowing NFPA (Nat Fire Protection) certification as an equiv. to the OFM certification.

[fireguy9]

Also have to say more and more GTA and large Ontario depts are looking for people that have passed or are at least enrolled in the OFM (Ont Fire Marshal) certificate program. Some are also allowing NFPA (Nat Fire Protection) certification as an equiv. to the OFM certification.

That number is still less then 50%, if that!!! there are losers that come out of those programs as well. I have seen my share of them when they do placements.

Do well in all aspects,,, and have trades, some courses, licences in specialties and sell yourself in that interview which is key,,, you will make it. While on probation especially,,,, Learn, listen and keep your mouth shut!! The know it all , been there done that, university attitudes etc,, will brand you and it can be hell for you.

[wanna_be]

that number is growing and growing as Seneca, Humber, Durham college and others increase the number of graduates. I agree you can get just as many people who graduate from these programs that should not be in the line of work or they are the BEEN THERE DONE THAT generation that just don't want to fit in and be part of the team or family.

Just trying to give people the odds that they face in trying to get on..

a medical background, is a high priority these days for a lot of cities looking to hire. Trades, rock climbing, hazmat, scuba diving and others are also great assests as fireguy mentioned.

On the skills sheet that you get make sure that you can check off as many boxes as possible, but don't lie. Some cities like are making you do 2 written exams then 2 interviews and then the physical before you get hired, do your homework and know something about the community you apply too.

[TotallyKiller]

I'm not sure if it's different province to province, but in Calgary I know that the testing and training is a long process at which any point you have the chance of being booted for various reasons and would have to re-apply, if it's an option.

Not only are there written and physical tests, there are many tests that are meant to test your psych profile as well as lie-detector tests. From what I was told, there is a huge focus on trust and honesty as only Firefighters, Police and certain Government officials can actually order a person out of their own house while they go in. Fail any one of these tests and you're out the door.

Once you've passed the testing and training, you then go on the waiting list as they only introduce a small number of new recruits in each month/period. I've known several guys who were waiting for almost a year before getting the call, and a couple are still waiting. Once you get the call, then there's another written test which you also need to pass. Once you've passed that, then you're in.

Everyone I know who made it said it's worth it, those that didn't are pretty bitter about the time they had to put in only to get booted.

[fireguy9]

Process can be long or short,,, but when someone retires or many do,, or growth,,, they can hire quick,,,,,
when we last hired a group of a dozen or so,,, it was done in a few months. Rarely have we had a active waiting list

Calgary Fire was just in Ontario recruiting for 200 positions.

You dont usually have to worry about ordering someone out of a burning building:D

[Meikeo]

Do they look at your previous criminal record or credit history in the screening process?

[Whiplash7828]

What kind of strength and stamina is required? I've always been interested in an active career like this but am not very big (5'10", 170lbs, kinda skinny).

What are the strength and endurance tests?

[fireguy9]

Do they look at your previous criminal record or credit history in the screening process?

What kind of strength and stamina is required? I've always been interested in an active career like this but am not very big (5'10", 170lbs, kinda skinny).

What are the strength and endurance tests?

I believe they do criminal checks and driver abstracts. Credit,, no!

physical testing is based on age and sex. But we have some lightweight male and women on the job that passed the testing. (5'10",170 is fine as long as you can do it)

Strength is good but cardio is superior when wearing all the gear for periods of time and climbing apartment stairs with gear.

[tigger03]

I believe they do criminal checks and driver abstracts. Credit,, no!

physical testing is based on age and sex. But we have some lightweight male and women on the job that passed the testing. (5'10",170 is fine as long as you can do it)

Strength is good but cardio is superior when wearing all the gear for periods of time and climbing apartment stairs with gear.

Is this the CPAT test?

[fireguy9]

Is this the CPAT test?

I know they have changed the testing over the last couple yrs at our dept.

The physical used to be at York,,, but this last group was done through Brock U and all the job related testing was done at our training campus.

Written I am not sure what the last group wrote,but could prob find out

[Whiplash7828]

Can you give examples of the physical tests? running distance...how far...carrying how much weight?

[fireguy9]

Can you give examples of the physical tests? running distance...how far...carrying how much weight?


Treadmill test, push you to your max with direct gas analysis—V02 Max (I was on it 20 min,, increasing incline, spd, pushing you and having that hose in your mouth)

Pull weighted sled/50 feet wearing 40lb vest and 4lb ankle weights

Wear 40-lb vest & 4-lb ankle weights and pull a victim (200lbs through obstacle course)

ladder lift while wearing the same weights

85lb hose carry with weight vests, up to 4thfloor and down 4 times.

50 lb roll of hose lifted from 16ft up wearing weights,, raise and lower 4 times with upper body only

climb 40 ft ladder and uncouple a coupling at top while wearing weights


All tests are timed

Then there are job tests,,, cutting a hole in roof with axe on a roof simulator, and more job tasks... Very tiring as it is one station after the other.

Make sure your in shape for it,,,, as your paying for these tests,,, dont waste your time and $$$$$ if not prepared

[hwshi]

How gruesome is the work?
Are you constantly going to accidents and having to peel people out of their cars or saving cats caught in trees?

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

Where do I go after highschool? and whats my first years pay around? and what are the requirements to be a Firefighter?

edit: Also, what are the cons of being a firefighter?

[greg123]

so theres not much increase between 3.5 -7years? since a beginner makes $70g and the captain only makes 8.5?

[greg123]

All kinds of benefits and a amazing pension plan.



probably they dont expect you to live that long LMAO

[UrbanPoet]

How gruesome is the work?
Are you constantly going to accidents and having to peel people out of their cars or saving cats caught in trees?

They do a lot... i met a firefighter and he always complains about how hard and dangerous the work is. The stuff they carry makes it a very "heavy lifting" type of job.

[fireguy9]

How gruesome is the work?
Are you constantly going to accidents and having to peel people out of their cars or saving cats caught in trees?


The job has its moments of horrible things to see ( accident scenes,fire, different forms of death etc)

Accidents are a large part of our responses,, but only a small number involve extrication,, but that does not mean it is not gorry.


Where do I go after highschool? and whats my first years pay around? and what are the requirements to be a Firefighter?

edit: Also, what are the cons of being a firefighter?


After high school there are college programs through Humber, Seneca, or others, and the U.S.

Cons- For some it could be that it is shift work or you could end up at a quiet station and less goes on,,, that can bother some. Not to many cons for me other then,,,, depending on your shift,, you could end up working 4 xmass in a row or other special holidays.

so theres not much increase between 3.5 -7years? since a beginner makes $70g and the captain only makes 8.5?


Have said in previous post- Starting firefighter makes approx 60% of a 1st class firefighter. Every yr you right a exam and get a classification raise of approx 10% plus the contractual raise on top. After 3.5yrs you are at 1st class rate and then it is annual raises according to the contract. At 8yrs you get a 3% increaseon your wage,,,, so u now make 103% of 1st class wages. Every yr there after again,, contractual raises kick in. At 17 yrs a 6% increase and 23yrs 9%. A Captain makes 117% of what a firefighter makes plus they get the 6 or 9% on top of that.


probably they dont expect you to live that long LMAO

Don't see any humor in that imature comment. Our pension is one of the tops around, and many see it and the families see it. Nothing like retiring at 55 with a 70% pension which currently means about 60k a yr for 30yrs or so.

[george benjamin]

Hello Fireguy,

How often do firefighters save cats from trees, and how many times have you done it.

And when you do it, is the whole neighborhood watching?

[Audiogenic]

I have the upmost respect for people in your profession because you truly want to and make a difference in people lives.

[almostfreeman]

Is it worth it to become a firefighter just for the chicks? :|

[corrupt123]

After highschool you said there are programs, humber and senica for example. Could one go straight to the firefighter tests/exams without issue? Or would it be a very slim chance of being selected without the courses?

[fireguy9]

After highschool you said there are programs, humber and senica for example. Could one go straight to the firefighter tests/exams without issue? Or would it be a very slim chance of being selected without the courses?

One could get hired without the courses,,, but getting hired straight out of high school does not happen much,,, as they like people to have a skill set and job experience as well. The skill sets only come from courses, trades, or licences in specialties ( scuba, high angle etc)

[Shiifty]

Any opportunities for volunteer firefighters? Or are those things you only see in small towns and tv?

[fireguy9]

Any opportunities for volunteer firefighters? Or are those things you only see in small towns and tv?

volly's are for small towns. Most large cities around here dont have them much anymore. Burlington, Milton have them out here a bit but phasing them out slowly. But it actually costs more because of turnover and training. The high taxes,,, people expect full time professionals to respond. There are actual cases of volly's at a fire call dropping the hoselines and leaving because they had to go to there real jobs.

[ricoboxing]

how old is too old to become a fireman? what are the chances of getting hired without taking the fire program at your local college/univ?

[fireguy9]

how old is too old to become a fireman? what are the chances of getting hired without taking the fire program at your local college/univ?

As mentioned in previous post,,,,, there really is no age limit. If you pass everything then you could possibly be hired. There are still many hired who have not taken those college type courses.

The oldest I have seen hired at our dept was 47

[fireguy9]

Posting is out for our dept.

Two wks left to apply with qualifications. $51k to start

http://jobs.workopolis.com/jobshome/db/oakvilleen.job_posting?pi_job_id=9365120&pi_search_id=602849421&pi_sort=POST_DATE&pi_curjob=1&pi_maxjob=10

[2k4accord]

Posting is out for our dept.

Two wks left to apply with qualifications. $51k to start

http://jobs.workopolis.com/jobshome/db/oakvilleen.job_posting?pi_job_id=9365120&pi_search_id=602849421&pi_sort=POST_DATE&pi_curjob=1&pi_maxjob=10

Nice starting salary plus you get to be a "hero"!

[fireguy9]

Nice starting salary plus you get to be a "hero"!

Don't know about the hero part,,,,,,,,,,,, well respected, and comes with many benefits and a top pension plan for retirement

[mart242]

volly's are for small towns. Most large cities around here dont have them much anymore. Burlington, Milton have them out here a bit but phasing them out slowly. But it actually costs more because of turnover and training. The high taxes,,, people expect full time professionals to respond. There are actual cases of volly's at a fire call dropping the hoselines and leaving because they had to go to there real jobs.

The west-end of Ottawa has some too. I was surprised to read about that in the newspaper because they are building lots of houses out there. Strangely enough, they are not phasing them out, they are actually looking to hire a few more.. I'm tempted to apply but not too sure about the physical since I'm more on the skinny side (but strangely seem in better shape than lots of people because I don't break a sweat that easily and can do lots of manual / heavy work without trouble). I'm not a young kid either, I'm a 33 years old "old fart"! They give you one year to do the test and say that you're ready to "fight" within 2 years..

I might drop by the station to have a chat with them and ask questions since the article was a bit broad.. it made them seem like they wanted to get as many people as possible to apply (ie: "you only need to be 18, you'll gain self confidence, ..") since they did not mention any negative aspect of it.