OFAI

Terms and Conditions

Important: All Candidates must review OFAI’s COVID-19 screening protocols and policies prior to booking testing through the online testing calendar. By agreeing to these terms, you acknowledge that you have reviewed, understood and will abide by all of OFAI’s COVID-19 policies both prior to and for the duration of your OFAI testing. You understand that failure to comply with OFAI’S COVID-19 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.

All fees are in Canadian Dollars.

You are responsible for downloading the pre-assessment guides for your applicable assessment at www.ofai.ca/resources/pre-assessment-guides/ and completing all the applicable forms in each guide to bring with you on your assessment day.

Ontario Fire Administration Inc. (OFAI) reserves the right to reschedule or 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, pandemic, 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. Booking is at your own risk.

Candidates are not permitted to double-book an assessment. If you do, penalties, including all assessments cancelled, will apply. Please note, incorrect registrations will result in a $25.00 plus HST administration fee.

Rescheduling/Assessment Change Policy: The OFAI will not be rescheduling any appointments. As space and testing days are limited, if you cannot make your appointment, you must cancel it as per the cancellation policy below. It will be up to each candidate to re-book.

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 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-schedule 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.

If you do not show up for a scheduled assessment, this is considered a ‘no show’ or missed appointment. There is no credit or refund provided. Candidates are expected to rebook the assessment at their own expense.

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.

Receipts are automatically sent by email when participants register and pay online. Please be aware spam filters can block email receipts.

If you selected cheque as your method of payment, please ensure it is certified. We will only confirm assessment dates/times that are paid in full. If your assessment is not paid in full 48 hours prior to your assessment date, the OFAI will automatically cancel your registration.

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.

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 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 acknowledge that they are willing to take part in our assessments and willingly abide by our re-test policies. All assessments are based on a pass/fail. Candidates are not given results. All users of this website agree to abide by this policy.

Stage Three, Firefighter Technical Skills Assessments are based on of Bona Fide Occupational Requirements based on NFPA 1001 Firefighter Level I & II. Each candidate will be given specific instructions and MUST perform each evolution as per evaluator instructions and in the safest manner possible. Evaluator must ask if candidate would like to read instructions or have instructions read to them. Candidate has a maximum of 5 minutes to review instructions, then candidate must start­ the evolution. Candidate may request one re-read of the skill instructions during the evaluation. The time clock will not be stopped during the re-read. If you choose a re-read during your evaluation, you can choose to read the skill yourself, or the evaluator can read it to you. If you choose to have the evaluator read the skill to you, they are only permitted to read the skill in full. At no time will they only read part of the skill.

It is also important to note that a re-read will not be taken into consideration in a dispute(i.e., evaluator is not responsible for a failure based on a re-read). The testing grounds can be noisy, making hearing difficult and candidate comprehension can be altered due to the time sensitive nature of the evaluation.

Inclement weather: Safety is of the utmost considerations 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.

Individuals wanting to test with Ontario Fire Administration must have an online account on our website. Only ONE account per individual is permitted. Under no circumstances are users allowed to create more than one account.

Ontario Fire Administration Inc. Candidate Testing Services 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.