Prince George Fire Rescue serves the City when help is needed most. Fire Rescue attends to fires, medical emergencies, vehicle crashes, river and wilderness emergencies, and rescue situations of all types. The Department serves 75,000 citizens and responds to an average of 4,500 calls each year. There are four fire halls in the City of Prince George which are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
NOTE: Applications for firefighter positions are only accepted during active recruitment periods. Please check back regularly for recruitment updates.
Recruitment & Working Environment
There's more to the Prince George Fire Rescue service than just putting out fires. A career with the service provides members with ongoing education in the latest firefighting, fire prevention, medical response, and search and rescue techniques. Fire Rescue is active in the local community through fire and life safety education and fundraising. Firefighters work an eight-day schedule and average 42 hours per week. The schedule includes two day shifts of 10 hours and two night shifts of 14 hours followed by four days off.
Specialty Teams
Firefighters serve on teams specialising in:
- Vehicle extraction
- Hazardous materials response
- Swift water and ice rescue
- High angle rope and confined space rescue
Qualifications
All applicants must meet a minimum set of qualifications for consideration, which include certifications and fitness requirements. Candidates who satisfy the following criteria are encouraged to submit an application.
Minimum Qualifications for Probationary Firefighter
- Legally entitled to work in Canada.
- Secondary School graduate.
- Certified National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001 Levels 1 and 2 standard from
an approved fire academy.
- Physically fit and able to pass the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) and the Firefighter Medical Examination (NFPA 1582 standard) .
- Have a proven history of satisfactory job performance.
- Proof of valid Class 3 BC driver's license with air brake endorsement or proof of the BC Driver's License Equivalency.
- Driving record demonstrating safe driving behaviour. Candidates with six or more demerit points received (within the last three years) will not be considered.
- No summary convictions for criminal offenses related to the job of firefighter.
- Current Occupational First Aid Level 3 or First Responder Level 3 certificate.
- Demonstrated commitment to a fit and healthy lifestyle.
- Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office programs.
Strongly Preferred Qualifications
- Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certificate. Candidates certified from outside BC must provide evidence of commencing the equivalency process with the
EMA Licensing Board of British Columbia at the time of application.
- Primary, Advanced, or Critical Care Paramedic certification from a program accredited by the Canadian Medical Association and licensure in British Columbia.
- Successful completion of one year of post-secondary education (30 credit minimum), or completion of two years in a recognized apprenticeship program.
- Current certificates in any of the following specialty areas:
- Hazardous materials
- High angle rescue
- Swift water rescue
- Ice rescue
- Confined space entry
- Fire service instructor
- Previous firefighting experience (paid or volunteer)
Tips on How to Prepare for the CPAT
The Hiring Process
Application forms and information will be posted on the
City's Careers page when recruitment begins. Recruitment notices will also be advertised on
CivicInfoBC, in newspapers, and through online job search sites.
Candidates must be available for testing and interviews in Prince George on specified dates and are responsible for all costs - including travel and testing fees - associated with the competition. The City of Prince George's Human Resources Department will accept applications in person, by email, or by fax over a period of three weeks.
Steps in the recruitment process
Application Review
Application packages are reviewed for completeness and to ensure candidates meet the minimum qualifications.
Aptitude Testing
Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications are invited to Prince George to participate in written aptitude testing.
Physical Assessment
Candidates will be required to travel to the Lower Mainland to complete the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT).
Interview
Candidate qualifications and test scores will be used to establish a shortlist. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to Prince George for an interview.
Reference Checks
Candidates must provide three references.
Medical Examination
Candidates will be required to visit an approved physician to complete a Firefighter Medical Examination.
Eligibility List
An Eligibility List will be created to fill anticipated vacancies. The number of candidates placed on the list and the retention period of the list are at the City's discretion. Start dates will vary depending on staffing needs.
If placed on the eligibility list, candidates will be required to ensure all certificates and licenses are kept current. If more than twelve (12) months have elapsed since passing the CPAT or Firefighter Medical Examination, candidates will be required to complete another examination - at their own expense - before being hired.
How to apply
During an active recruitment, an application form will be available on the website, and a recruitment timeline will be posted. All submissions must include the official application form.
Copies of numerous documents will be required as part of the application package. The application will identify what must be attached and failure to include copies of required documents will eliminate a candidate from the competition.
An application checklist will be available for download to assist candidates in making sure their application package is complete.
Applications received after the closing date of active recruitment will not be considered.
Questions and Answers
What is the NFPA 1001 level 1 and 2?
The NFPA 1001 is the nationally recognized standard for training professional firefighters. It identifies the professional levels of competency required of fire department members and fire service entrance requirements.
What is IFSAC accreditation?
As the governing body in North America, the International Fire Service Accreditation College (IFSAC) ensures that standards set by the NFPA are maintained by the fire training academies that administer their programs.
Where can I obtain the NFPA 1001 certification?
Many academies across North America are certified to deliver the NFPA 1001 program. Candidates must ensure the academy they select is accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) or the ProBoard. Confirm this by visiting the
IFSAC and
ProBoard websites.