Registration
You can register online, by mail or in-person at:
520 Westney Road South, Unit 22
Ajax, Ontario L1S 6W6
Tel: 905-426-6756 Fax: 905-426-3032
Email: info@ofai.ca Website: http://www.ofai.ca
All candidates must create an online user account on our website. This is a requirement.
Table of Contents
3. Stage Three
5. Register by Mail or In-Person
6. Payments
7. Rescheduling/Cancellation Policy
Assessment Process
All candidates should complete the self-assessment questionnaire before registering for any of our assessments. The self-assessment questionnaire was developed to aid you in your decision as to whether you would be a good fit to the role of a firefighter and to help you identify the minimum qualifications to become a firefighter in the province of Ontario.
Access the self-assessment questionnaire now.
Note: The self-assessment questionnaire is not required as part of your registration. It is for self-assessment purposes only. The OFAI does not collect any information from the assessment other than your name and date.
All candidates entering our process must complete the following assessments, in order, to obtain their certificates in which they can use to apply to participating municipal fire services.
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Stage One: |
Firefighter Aptitude and Character Test™ |
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Stage Two: |
Hearing Assessment |
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Vision Assessment |
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Encapsulated Treadmill Test |
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Stage Three: |
Firefighter Physical Aptitude Job-Related Tests (FPAT) |
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Firefighter Technical Skills Assessment |
Note: The OFAI CTS stages are completed over two days (current status is three days due to Covid restrictions). Stage One and Two Hearing completed in one day Encapsulated Treadmill and Stage Three on 2 separate days after that. Ensure you check testing dates/times as scheduling will change often due to recruitments.
***Please note the changes to our normal process due to Covid-19 ***
- New Candidates should book Stage One (FACT test) and Stage Two Hearing @ 9:00 AM from the Testing Calendar
- Candidates that have successfully completed Stage One and Stage Two Hearing may select the Encapsulated Treadmill Test from the Testing Calendar
- At this time the Encapsulated Treadmill is not included in the Stage One and Two process. Candidates may proceed to Stage Three without the Treadmill.
- If you book a Treadmill and Stage Three and are not successful in the Treadmill you may still proceed to your Stage Three as booked (if you choose not to continue, please contact the office BEFORE your Stage Three)
- If your Stage Three is before your Encapsulated Treadmill and you are not successful - you may still take your Encapsulated Treadmill .
- Vision can be done at any time(please view process under the Candidate Testing Information Vision Assessment link) - certificates will not be issued until forms have been submitted and approved
The following outlines our current assessment options:
Stages One and Two
This option includes the Stage One - Firefighter Aptitude and Character Test™, Stage Two - Hearing Assessment, Stage Two-Vision Assessment and Stage Two-Encapsulated Treadmill Test . Candidates are responsible for downloading the pre-assessment guides for your applicable assessment at www.ofai.ca/pre-assessment-guides and completing all the applicable forms in each guide to bring with you on your assessment day. This is a requirement as a part of your assessment.
Results, either pass or fail, are given to each candidate immediately after they have completed each assessment.
If you do not pass an assessment, you will not be able to continue to the next assessment. The proctor/evaluator will complete your assessment results form as a failure and forward your form to the OFAI Administration office. Questions regarding unsuccessful tests should be facilitated through the OFAI Administration office and not with the proctors/evaluators at FESTI. In the event of failure, any assessments not conducted will be refunded to the original form of payment.
Upon successful completion of Stages One and Two, your certificates will be uploaded to your online account within two business days.
Stage Three
This option includes the Stage Three-Firefighter Physical Aptitude Job-Related Tests (FPAT) and the Stage Three-Firefighter Technical Skills. Candidates are responsible for downloading the pre-assessment guides for your applicable assessment at www.ofai.ca/pre-assessment-guides and completing all the applicable forms in each guide to bring with you on your assessment day. This is a requirement as a part of your assessment.
Assessment appointments begin at 08:00 AM. After completion of successful registration, you will be sent an email confirmation 5 days prior to your test date advising you of yours assessment appointment time. The OFAI Administration office will determine your eligibility for taking these assessments as you are required to have successfully completed Stage One and Stage Two assessments prior to taking Stage Three.
Results, pass or fail, are given to each candidate immediately after they have completed each assessment.
Stage Three begins with the FPAT assessment. Regardless of the results you are required to continue on the the Technical Skills portion of the test. If you are not able to continue at any time due to VItals, please contact he OFAI office for re-scheduling. Questions regarding unsuccessful tests should be facilitated through the OFAI Administration office and not with the proctors/evaluators at FESTI.
Upon successful completion of Stage Three, your certificates ( FPAT and Technical SKills) will be uploaded to your online account within two business days.
Important Note: The Stage Three assessments combined are very physically demanding. We ask that candidates come prepared, well-rested and hydrated.
Registering Online
Anyone booking testing at Ontario Fire Administration Inc. MUST read our COVID-19 screening protocols and policies. Candidates must review OFAI’s COVID-19 screening protocols and policies prior to booking your testing through the online testing calendar.
You understand that failure to comply with OFAI’S COVID-19 screening protocols and policies could result in a cancelled test and that falsifying any information regarding our COVID-19 testing protocols could result in your expulsion from the OFAI Candidate Testing Program.
OFAI’S COVID-19 screening protocols and policies can be found at: https://www.ofai.ca/ofai-s-mandatory-covid-19-screening-protocolspolicies
Upcoming assessment dates/times are available on our website on the “Testing Calendar”. All candidates wishing to register for assessments must create an online account on our website. Once the online account is registered, you can continue with registering for an assessment. It is the candidate's responsibility to register correctly for their assessments. Incorrect registrations received by the OFAI Administration office are subject to a $25.00 plus HST administration fee.
Your online account will be utilized for certificate purposes and contact information. Once you have successfully completed each stage, your certificate will be uploaded by OFAI staff to your online account. You can access your certificate at any time during the validity period of the certificate.
Candidates are responsible for downloading the pre-assessment guides for your applicable assessment at www.ofai.ca/pre-assessment-guides and completing all the applicable forms in each guide to bring with you on your assessment day. The pre-assessment guide is an integral piece of information that will help you prepare for your assessments. This is a requirement as a part of your assessment.
This guide will give you step-by-step instructions on the following:
- What to bring
- What to expect when you arrive at FESTI
- What to expect for each assessment
- Required forms
- Preparation information
- Directions
- Contact information
All candidates must arrive at least 15 minutes prior to their testing time. This will give you a chance to check-in, use the restroom etc.
Note: All registrations close five business days prior to each testing date.
Registering by Mail or In-Person
**Registering in-person and by mail is not available at this time**
Registration Forms are available on our website for download and can be mailed to the OFAI administration office. Assessment dates/times are available on our website or you can contact the administration office for a listing of upcoming dates. Please note that testing fills up quickly. The OFAI will not confirm your assessment date/time until payment is received in full. The OFAI will automatically cancel your assessment five business days prior to your assessment date/time if we have not received your payment in full.
Once you have a confirmed assessment date/time, you will be required to download a copy of the pre-assessment Guide from our website www.ofai.ca/pre-assessment-guides. The pre-assessment guides are an integral piece of information that will help you prepare for your assessments. This is required as part of your assessment. This guide will give you step-by-step instructions on the following:
- What to bring
- What to expect when you arrive at FESTI
- What to expect for each assessment
- Required forms
- Preparation information
- Directions
- Contact information
All candidates must arrive at least 15 minutes prior to their testing time. This will give you a chance to check-in, use the restroom etc.
Note: All registrations close five business days prior to each testing date.
Payments
Payment Methods: Online payments are VISA and MasterCard. (including Debit VISA).
All fees are in Canadian Dollars.
Receipts are automatically sent by email when participants register and pay online. Please be aware spam filters can block email receipts.
Ontario Fire Administration Inc. utilizes Moneris a third-party secure payment service provider that facilitates credit card payments. The OFAI and any third party affiliate assumes no liability for those using the registration function or payment function, and the user accepts that any dispute with regard to payment or distribution or use of information collected by Moneris - the payment service provider - will be raised directly with them.
Rescheduling/Cancellation Policy
Ontario Fire Administration Inc. (OFAI) reserves the right to cancel a scheduled assessment. In the unlikely event of an assessment cancellation, we will issue a full refund for assessment fees only. OFAI is not responsible for any statements, acts, materials, or omissions by our evaluators, proctors or participants. The use of audio and video taping devices, beepers, and cell phones by participants is not permitted at any assessment. Children and unregistered guests are not permitted in the testing facility. Cancellation of an assessment caused by any calamity, attack, or act of God, beyond the control of the OFAI and/or its third party affiliates and its agents does not constitute grounds for a refund.
Inclement weather: Safety is of the utmost consideration when we are conducting our assessments. When severe weather conditions exist, such as lightning, rain, sleet, snow or high winds, the staff at FESTI shall make an assessment of the conditions and will determine, at their discretion, if assessments will cease until conditions approve.
**There is no re-scheduling appointments at this time!**
Rescheduling/Assessment Change Policy: The OFAI will only re-schedule an appointment once. In order to be eligible for re-scheduling, you must provide us with a written request that states your name, candidate ID number, your testing date/time and your requested re-schedule date/time. This request must be received no later than 7 days from your appointment date. Not all re-scheduling requests are granted. During peak recruitments, the re-scheduling policy may not be in effect. Candidates wishing to re-schedule are still bound to the terms and conditions of their original appointment.
Cancellation Policy: There will be no refunds if your assessment is cancelled within 5 business days of your assessment date/time. Any cancellations made prior to the 5 business day deadline will be refunded, less a $50.00 plus HST administration fee. All cancellations must be in writing that states your name, candidate ID number and your testing date and emailed to info@ofai.ca to request the cancellation of the booked assessment(s). It is the user's responsibility to abide by the cancellation policy of each assessment.
Candidates seeking cancellation or re-scheduling due to illness within the 5 business day period prior to their test date will only receive a refund or re-schedule (less the $50 plus HST administration fee) if they can provide evidence that their ability to complete their assessment has been affected by serious illness or cause as listed below. This evidence must be provided no later than 7 business days following a scheduled appointment. Candidates must contact the OFAI Administration office prior to their scheduled appointment to advise OFAI they will not attend. Failure to do so will result in a forfeit of fees.
Serious Causes:
Serious Illness - hospital admission or serious injury: this must be accompanied by a medical note from a registered Medical Doctor.
Loss or Bereavement - death of a close family member: accompanied by a death certificate.
Hardship/Trauma - victim of a crime, victim of a traffic accident.
Users of the registration function agree that, subject to the Privacy Policy posted on this site, their information can be used to contact them in connection with the assessments and any other contact deemed necessary for running its assessments, subject to the laws governing sound internet practices.
All candidates acknowledge that by registering through this website and in-person, they will be required to complete the Assumption, Waiver, Release and Indemnity Agreement, the OFAI Candidate Agreement and forms that may be required for specific assessments. Candidates are aware that if they fail to produce these required forms on or before their assessment day, that the assessment may be cancelled and re-scheduled at a later date, at the discretion of the OFAI. In addition, a fee will be charged for the re-scheduled assessment date.
Candidates also acknowledge that they are willing to take part in our assessments.
Re-Test Policy
All OFAI failed assessments are subject to our re-test policy. The re-test policy identifies the wait times candidates must follow before coming back to re-test. The wait times are put in place to allow each candidate sufficient time to prepare (and in some cases, train) in order to be successful in their assessments.
The following identifies the OFAI re-test policy wait times:
1st Failure - 15 days – Candidates must wait 15 days before participating in a re-test.
2nd Failure - 30 days – Candidate must wait 30 days before participating in a re-test.
All subsequent failures will be subject to a 30-day wait period.
Code of Conduct
Acronym Definitions
OFAI: Ontario Fire Administration Inc.
CTS: Candidate Testing Services
FESTI: GTAA Fire and Emergency Services Training Institute
Working as a firefighter is a career founded on respect, trust, integrity and absolute professionalism. Ontario Fire Administration Inc. (OFAI) expects candidate behaviour to reflect these qualities at all times. Please be advised that if any breaches are made to the OFAI CTS Code of Conduct, swift and appropriate action will be taken in order to maintain this high standard.
1. The OFAI expects all candidates to be punctual for their assessments. Tardiness can result in cancellation of your assessment which will require a rebooking at the candidate’s expense.
2. Please use appropriate language when communicating with OFAI administration staff, FESTI staff, and evaluators. Foul or abusive language is not tolerated.
3. Respect FESTI’s property and the CTS testing facilities. Damage caused by inappropriate candidate behaviour will be at the candidate’s expense and may warrant a permanent removal from the CTS process.
4. Treat fellow candidates, OFAI administration staff, FESTI staff, and evaluators with courtesy and respect. In addition to themselves, candidates also assume responsibility for the actions and behaviours of any guest they bring on premise. The OFAI will not tolerate any form of bullying or harassment. Any bullying or harassment exhibited by a candidate and/or their guest may result in permanent removal from the CTS process, and an investigation by the appropriate authorities, if required.
The Canadian Human Rights Commission defines harassment as a form of discrimination. It involves any unwanted physical or verbal behaviour that offends or humiliates another individual.
Harassment occurs when someone:
a. makes unwelcome comments or jokes about the following :
- race
- national or ethnic origin
- colour
- religion
- age
- sex
- sexual orientation
- marital status
- family status
- disability
- a conviction for which a pardon has been granted or a record suspended.
b. threatens or intimidates you.
c. makes unwelcome physical contact with you, such as touching, patting, pinching or punching, which can also be considered as assault.
5. Participation in CTS under the influence of alcohol or drugs is strictly prohibited and will result in permanent removal from the CTS process.
6. There is zero tolerance for cheating, impersonation, blackmail, bribery or any other fraudulent activity, real or implied. Any of these actions will result in immediate termination from the CTS process.
