City of Sarnia-Probationary Firefighter

Sarnia Fire Rescue Services is currently accepting applications for Probationary Firefighters until 11:59 p.m. December 15, 2019.

Introduction

The City of Sarnia is pleased to offer careers in firefighting. Firefighting is a demanding profession that carries considerable responsibility to protect life, property and the environment from the effects of fire and other hazards.  Firefighters respond to incidents involving fire suppression, hazardous materials, high angle rescue, medical assists, water and ice rescue, and auto extrications.

Firefighters are also involved with the delivery of key fire safety messaging and public education duties. Excellent listening and communication skills are essential.

Satisfaction is derived from public service, working closely in a team environment, and working in a challenging profession.  The firefighter’s role is not easy; it involves a high level of personal stress and requires dedication and resilience.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in employment with Sarnia Fire Rescue Services, and wish you success in your endeavor to become a firefighter.

Firefighter Duties and Responsibilities     

As a member of Sarnia Fire Rescue Services, you will be responsible for responding to emergency calls requiring rescue operations, medical aid and firefighting tactics.

The profession can entail performance under conditions of physical and mental stress.

Sarnia Firefighters provide service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our firefighters work on a rotating 24-hour shift schedule that includes weekends and holidays. Teamwork is an essential component of the profession whether on the scene, at the station and/or while providing service assistance to the public.

Firefighters need to have the knowledge, strength and skills to perform the essential duties that are required in protecting the public:

Firefighting & Rescue Operations:

• Possess the ability to perform strenuous activities related to fire suppression;
• Possess the mental resilience to deal with traumatic injuries and situations, work at elevated heights, in confined spaces, on and in water, as well as zero visibility situations;
• Respond to a variety of technical rescue situations including water and ice, high angle, confined spaces, motor vehicles accidents and industrial;
• Use and operate all vehicles, apparatus and equipment associated with the normal and efficient operations associated with the control and extinguishment of fires;
• Possess the ability to work while wearing self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing (50/60 lbs.) in immediately dangerous to life or health environments.

Medical Aid:

• Be extensively trained as a First Responder to provide medical assistance and administer emergency patient care.

Maintenance:

• Maintain daily upkeep of grounds and buildings, fire apparatus, and equipment.

Ongoing training:

• Participate in departmental training programs, and be proficient and knowledgeable in firefighting/emergency medical response equipment, techniques and procedures.
• Maintain commitment to career development and actively seek out opportunities to grow and advance professionally.

Public Relations & Education:

• Perform public relations services, public education and fire prevention activities including presentations, conducting tours and attending public events to promote fire safety and awareness.

Minimum Qualifications

A) One of the following Certifications:

1. Firefighter Pre-Service Education & Training Program from a recognized institution; OR
2. Successfully completed IFSAC/ProBoard Certification (NFPA 1001 including Firefighter I & II); OR
3. Five years’ experience as a firefighter in a municipal fire department with supporting Ontario Fire Marshall (OFM) documentation demonstrating successful grandfathering to the NFPA 1001 Firefighter I & II Level.

B) All of the following Qualifications:

• Valid Ontario Fire Administration Inc. (OFAI) Candidate Testing Service (CTS) certificate including Stage One, Two and Three; and
• Ontario Secondary School Grade 12 Diploma or academic equivalent; and
• Proof of a valid Class “DZ” Ontario Driver’s License (or equivalent) – DATE OF BIRTH INFORMATION MUST BE BLACKED OUT

Please visit www.ofai.ca for more information on their candidate testing program. If you have any questions, please contact OFAI directly at 905-426-6756 or info@ofai.ca

Note: Applicants are responsible for ensuring their certificates are valid at each stage of the recruitment process. This includes the time of application, if requested to attend an interview and if an offer of employment is made. If you cannot produce documents when required, you will not continue in the selection process.

How to Apply

The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Sunday December 15, 2019.

Note:

• We do not keep a pool of applicants. Interested candidates are required to apply each time a recruitment opens.
• Applications are only accepted during active recruitment periods. If your application is submitted after the deadline, you will not be considered.
• Applicants must have completed and/or possess ALL application requirements listed prior to submitting the application. Please refer back to the Minimum Qualifications section for details.

Application Submission Details

Applicants wishing to be considered for the position of Probationary Firefighter must submit proof of the minimum qualifications along with their resume as ONE document.

• Applications are to be submitted via e-mail to firerecruit@sarnia.ca
  • Subject Title: 2019 Fire Recruitment – Applicant Name
• We will not accept applications delivered in person or by mail.
• Only those applicants providing proof of all minimum requirements will be considered for an interview, and only those applicants selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be contacted.
• If your documents are not received on time or cannot be validated, your application will not proceed.

Throughout the hiring period, Human Resources will contact you using the email address provided within your application. Applicants are responsible for monitoring their email inbox and ensuring contact information within their application is current.

During an active recruitment period, applicants wishing to update their application including changes to contact information, qualifications, or resume updates may do so at any time by emailing firerecruit@sarnia.ca with the Subject Title: Profile Update – Applicant Name.

The procedure for selecting firefighters consists of the following steps:

1. Application
2. Interview & Selection Process
3. Conditional Offer

Only the most qualified applicants at each step will proceed to the next step in the selection process.

Please note: Firefighter recruitments attract a high volume of applications. As a result, in order to efficiently respond to inquiries from applicants, all inquiries should be directed to firerecruit@sarnia.ca. Inquiries will be responded to at our earliest opportunity.

Interview & Selection Process

Selected candidates will be assessed and preference given to their education, qualifications and experience as it relates to fire suppression and medical care.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in fire suppression, construction, trades, mechanical, other emergency services, fire prevention, Military, Coast Guard, large vehicle/heavy equipment operation
• Skilled Trade License or Certification
• Community College diploma in Fire Protection Engineering Technician/ Technology Program
• University Degree or College Diploma
• Demonstrated Coaching, Teaching, Counselling, Leadership skills
• Current First Aid and CPR Certificate
• Volunteer and/or community involvement
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in a team environment

If you are selected to move forward in the process, you will be contacted by phone or email to attend an interview. At this time you must bring with you:

• Original copies of Transcripts/Diploma/Degree/Certificates
• Three (3) employment references and their current contact information

Selection will be based on a rating system from the interview process. Should you be successful at the interview stage, your application will move to the next stage of the recruitment process, which involves the conducting of employment reference checks.

Conditional Offer

Successful candidates will be provided with a conditional offer of employment as a Probationary Firefighter. The offer of employment is conditional upon:

• Criminal Record Search, Vulnerable Sector Screening that is acceptable to the City of Sarnia from the Police Service where you reside at the time of the interview.
• Authorization for the City to contact the Ministry of Transportation to obtain an abstract of the candidate’s driving history. As a condition of employment, candidates must possess an acceptable Drivers’ License abstract of 4 points or less.
• Comprehensive Medical Protocol confirming your physical ability to perform the duties of a Firefighter. This protocol includes: a full medical physical examination; an ECG; a Chest X-Ray; and a Pulmonary Function Test.

Note: Candidates will be responsible for any expenses associated with the application process.

Contact Us

City of Sarnia Human Resources
Fire Recruitment: firerecruit@sarnia.ca
All other Human Resources inquiries: hr@sarnia.ca
519-332-0330 ext. 3306