What Are the Necessary Steps to Becoming a Firefighter in Ontario?
So! you have finished your pre-service. Now the real work begins! What is the next step in becoming an Ontario firefighter? Before we get to those steps, let’s look at the requirements. A firefighter candidate must be 18 years of age or older at the time of application; be legally entitled to work for any employer in Canada; have no criminal convictions for which a pardon has not been granted; and possess Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or academic equivalency.
A candidate must also have the ability to work on rotating shifts, including nights, weekends and holidays; speak, read and write English fluently; and have a Standard First Aid certificate and a CPR level BLS (Basic Life Support) Certification. Now let’s get to those necessary steps to becoming a firefighter in Ontario!
Learn how to provide Basic Life Support (BLS)
Courses that teach BLS help you to develop the fundamental skills of high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for victims of all ages. A firefighter candidate should be able to deliver skills as both a single rescuer and as a member of a multi-rescuer team.
HIGH PERFORMACE CPR IS KEY
Training in BLS will help you to recognize a cardiac arrest; activate the emergency response system early; respond quickly and confidently; and perform high-quality single-rescuer CPR and multi-rescuer team CPR.
You MUST have Standard First Aid with BLS to apply to any Fire and Emergency Service
Firefighter candidate recruitment requires applicants to hold a Non-Expired Standard First Aid and CPR and BLS.
Standard First Aid and CPR/AED: Is valid for up to 3 years, However, some departments require it to current to the year, and valid long after the application date.
Do your research!
Individuals maybe able renew their certification by completing a Standard First Aid Re- Certification course to ensure their skills and knowledge are up to date.
In order to be eligible for a Standard First Aid Re-Certification you must hold a valid non-expired certification.
How long is your BLS certification valid for?
Unlike you SFA certification BLS (Basic Life Support) certification expire after 1 year.
This can sneak up on you. If you miss this, you might miss out on your ability to apply.
As well, trained Firefighters can quickly and effectively respond to choking and breathing emergencies; provide mental health first aid; possess opioid overdose awareness; provide bleeding and burn management; treat bone and joint injuries; and respond to environmental emergencies.
Successfully complete a CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test)
Naturally, your physical fitness will have to be stellar in order to become an Ontario firefighter. The CPAT consists of eight separate events that require a candidate to progress along a predetermined path from event to event in a continuous manner.
Go through the firefighter hiring process
Naturally, Ontario Fire Recruitment involves an interview process. No matter the city in Ontario you wish to work as a firefighter, you will be expected to strongly answer a series of important questions. They include:
- What unique skills can you offer our department?
- What sets you apart from the other candidates?
- Can you work in an environment that follows a strict code of conduct and chain of command?
- Can you work twenty-four-hour (24) shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays, and function in an environment where you live and work together in close quarters?
- Can you work in strenuous situations under pressure?
Are you interested in becoming a firefighter who exhibits unparalleled first aid skills? SOS First Aid offers several First Aid and CPR training courses. To learn all about them, please don’t hesitate to call us at 905-844-9813. You may also email us at [email protected].
