Paid On-Call Firefighter Recruitment
The City of Chilliwack recruits Paid On-Call (POC) firefighters annually for the POC Recruit Training Program. The hiring process for the for the 2024/2025 POC Recruit Training Program is now live and we are accepting applications until August 23, 2024:
- Hall #1 Main (#2 - 45950 Cheam Avenue)
- Hall #2 Rosedale (51235 Yale Road)
- Hall #3 Yarrow (42385 Yarrow Central Road)
- Hall #4 Sardis (45433 South Sumas Road)
- Hall #5 Ryder Lake (49285 Elkview Road)
- Hall #6 Greendale (6485 Sumas Prairie Road)
Note: New applicants from the Promontory area that apply for Hall 5 and are accepted at Hall 5 will be required to provide two years continuous service at Hall 5 prior to being considered as a candidate for Hall 4.
If you are a motivated individual and physically fit, you may have a future as a POC firefighter.
All fire halls are staffed by POC Firefighters.
Who are Paid On-Call Firefighters?
POC firefighters are trained members of our community who respond 24/7 to emergencies when paged.
POC firefighters are paid an hourly wage when called to respond to emergencies and to attend weekly Monday night practice sessions.
Minimum Membership Requirements:
These requirements are mandatory for selection.
- 19 years of age or older
- High school graduate or GED certificate
- Reside in the City of Chilliwack
- Current and valid BC Driver's License (Class 5 or better)
- Safe driving record as demonstrated by a Drivers Abstract. More than six points in the past three years, as of the date of the application, may eliminate an applicant from consideration
- A completed RCMP Criminal Record Check will be required during the Recruit Training Program
- Physically and medically fit (a medical examination is required prior to fitness testing as supplied by the fire department)
- Normal vision and hearing. Regular glasses cannot be worn under a self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA mask)
- No phobias of heights or confined spaces
- Available to attend Monday night practices (7:15 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.)
- Ability to respond to calls all year
- Ability to communicate effectively in English
- Ability to use computer programs such as Mircrosoft Word, Excel, and E-Learning platforms
- No beard once accepted (prohibited for safety reasons)
- Legally entitled to work in Canada (Canadian citizen or landed immigrant)
Preferred Qualifications:
These requirements would be a benefit to your selection but are not mandatory.
- Employed and work in Chilliwack
- Daytime response ability
- Previous firefighter experience
- Class 1 or 3 Driver's License
- Air Brake endorsement
- Current First Aid and/or CPR certification
- Trades certification (e.g., electrical, plumbing, mechanical, construction)
- Post-secondary education
- Volunteer experience with other organizations
- Reside close to your Fire Hall
Hiring Process Timeline (subject to change, all start times TBA)
August 23, 2024 Closing of applications
August 29, 2024 Written Exam – Group 1 (for selected applicants)
September 3, 2024 Written Exam – Group 2 (for selected applicants)
September 17 – 19, 2024 Interviews of selected applicants
September 20 – October 1, 2024 Selected applicants to complete Medical examination
October 2, 2024 Physical testing of selected applicants
October 3, 2024 Selection of successful applicants
October 9, 2024 Recruit Camp begins
March 26, 2025 Recruit Camp completes
The Program will run every Wednesday evening, all day Saturdays, with occasional Sundays.
The EMA First Responder component will run October 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, 2024.
Written Exam
An entry level firefighting written exam will be completed by selected applicants. The written exam is multiple choice and has a two-hour time limit. The content of the test may include the following: Logical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Interpreting Tables, Situational Judgement, Reading Gauges, Basic Math Rules, Mechanical Aptitude, Spatial Sense, Map Reading, and Vocabulary. Many online practice tests can be found if you search “firefighting entry level written practice test” online.
Medical Examination
A Chilliwack Fire Department medical examination is to be completed at no cost to the candidate. This will be only for those that have successfully passed the interview process and must be completed prior to the physical testing. Applicants will be required to make an appointment with their physician. Further details will be provided after the interview to only candidates being considered for positions with the Fire Department.
If interested, please print and complete the application form (found on the link below), attach necessary documentation, and submit you completed application package to Hall 1, #2-45950 Cheam Avenue, by August 23, 2024.
Applicants that do not submit all of the information may be disqualified from the process.
For more information, please contact 604.792.8713.
| Attachments | |||
| Description | Date | File Size | |
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Application Form | 2024-07-16 | 472KB |
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Application Form - Fillable | 2024-07-16 | 541KB |