Firefighter Opportunities

Only the most qualified applicants will be chosen to move forward in the firefighter selection process.

Required Qualifications:

Applications will be screened to ensure the following qualifications have been met. If you do not meet ALL of the required qualifications, please do not submit an application as it will be screened out. 

You must be:

• At least 19 years of age on the date of your application
• Eligible for employment in Canada - You must be a Canadian citizen, a holder of a Permanent Resident Card, a Landed Immigrant or otherwise legally entitled to work in Canada (i.e., holder of a work visa). 

Basic Qualifications:

• No criminal convictions, no adult criminal charges pending, related to employment, ability to obtain Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check clearance.
• A valid unrestricted Class 1, 2, or 3 Drivers Licence (or provincial equivalent) with Air Brakes endorsement (Automatic Only restriction is accepted) with no restrictions and a good driving record. 

At the time you submit your application, you must provide the following documents verifying you have: 

• Transcripts demonstrating high school diploma completion or equivalency. Equivalencies can include:

• General Educational Development (High School Equivalency Diploma); or
• An undergraduate/applied degree or journeyman certificate; or
• Completed two years of a recognized apprenticeship program 

• A current First Responder Licence with Spinal and AED or greater (e.g. EMR or PCP Licensing)

• A Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certificate (valid in last 12 months)

• Completion of NFPA 1001 Level 2 with HazMat Operations

• A current driver’s abstract (dated no more than 30 days prior to the recruitment competition). The abstract should demonstrate responsible and safe driving behavior. 

It is applicant’s responsibility to keep all licences current through the 2020 recruitment process, and all costs associated with obtaining and maintaining these licences are at the applicant’s expense. 

The recruitment process for the Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service has been broken down into nine (9) different stages.

• Stage 1 - Application and Pre-Screening
• Stage 2 - Written Test - National Fire Select Test (NFST)
• Stage 3 - Occupational Skills Assessment
• Stage 4 - Interviews
• Stage 5 - Ride-along
• Stage 6 - Reference Checks, Police Information Check & Vulnerable Sector Search
• Stage 7 - Fire Chief Meeting
• Stage 8 - Conditional Offer 
• Stage 9 - Pre-Employment Medical Evaluation and Psychometric Assessment

All applicants will be notified during the process if they will be moving on to the next stage via email. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure email addresses are valid and up-to-date and computer firewalls/security is set up to accept emails from the City. It is the candidate’s responsibility to check emails on a regular basis as there are deadlines issued for payment and scheduling. All testing stages are in person, and cannot be faxed, emailed or taken online.

If you possess the skills, knowledge, experience and drive to be a part of an integral team, complete an online application form.

The City of Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service appreciates all applications; however, only short-listed candidates will be contacted via email to proceed to the next stage.

All questions and inquiries regarding Firefighter recruitment should be directed to Human Resources at employment@abbotsford.ca.

It is your responsibility to understand and meet the minimum qualifications before you submit an application. You will need to maintain your qualifications throughout the assessment processes. Failure to meet the minimum requirements will result in the rejection of your application file. If you are found to have falsified or intentionally misrepresented your credentials, your application file will be permanently closed. No future applications will be accepted from you.

Requirements:

• At least 18 years of age or older.
• Currently reside in the City of Abbotsford or within 8 km of an Abbotsford Fire hall.
• Eligible for employment in Canada - You must be a Canadian citizen, a holder of a Permanent Resident Card, a Landed Immigrant or otherwise legally entitled to work in Canada (i.e., holder of a work visa).
• Eligible to obtain a Criminal Record Check with no dispositions; required by Pre-training Preparation date. (review The Recruitment Schedule).
• A copy of the following is required at the time of application:
  • A valid unrestricted Driver's Licence (or provincial equivalent) and good driving record.
  • A current Driver's Abstract dated no more than 30 days prior to your application submission, with no more than six demerit points.
• A copy of the following is required at the time of the Interview:
  • A High School Diploma or equivalency. Equivalencies can include a High School Equivalency Diploma (i.e., G.E.D.).
  • Standard Basic First Aid certificate.
  • Basic First Aid and CPR-Level C Certificate.

AFRS views fitness as an integral component in firefighting due to the physical strain induced while performing operational tasks. Fitness varies according to each person’s muscular strength/endurance, cardiovascular conditioning, motor coordination and flexibility.

• If you wear corrective lenses, please complete the Optometrist Form.
• Submitting an application does not guarantee entry into the selection process. 
• AFRS will contact the applicant if and when the applicant is to commence the selection process. This contact can take up to six months, depending on the time of year and the recruiting needs for Paid On-Call firefighters. Please be assured that if you meet our minimum requirements, we will contact you at the appropriate time.
• POC Recruitment has been completed.
• Thank you for your interest in becoming a Paid On-Call Firefighter with the City of Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service (AFRS). The City of Abbotsford appreciates all applications; however, only short listed candidates will be contacted via email to proceed to the next stage.

All questions and inquiries should be directed by email to Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service at POCRecruitment@abbotsford.ca

Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service firefighters have the opportunity to develop their skills in specialty areas including:

Firefighting requires above average aerobic and anaerobic power, muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility. The Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) is designed to identify individuals who have the physical attributes to perform the job of a firefighter. If you require CPAT certification for any employment opportunities within the next three months, please book into one the first available dates. Registration is on a first-come first-serve basis and there is no guarantee that CPAT dates will be available at the time of your hiring.

THE IAFF/IAFC FIRE SERVICE JOINT LABOR MANAGEMENT
CANDIDATE PHYSICAL ABILITY TEST PROGRAM

In 1997, the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) and International Fire Chiefs Association (IAFC) teamed up with 10 major North American fire services and unions to create the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT).

The Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) was developed to test firefighter candidates on their ability to perform simulated tasks consistent with the duties of a firefighter. The test is designed to ensure that candidates possess the physical ability to complete the critical and essential tasks of firefighting.

The CPAT consists of eight (8) separate events performed in a continuous manner.

The CPAT test is a pass/fail event. The CPAT must be completed in 10 minutes and 20 seconds (or less), with each event completed correctly.

The CPAT certificate issued by the City of Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service is valid for one year from the date of successful completion of the test.

On successful completion of the CPAT session the CPAT certificate will be made available online the next business day and can be printed for one year, until expiration.

The entire CPAT is completed while wearing a 50 pound (22.68 kg) vest to simulate the weight of the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and firefighter protective clothing.  An additional 25 pounds (11.34 kg), using two 12.5 pound (5.67 kg) weights that simulate a high-rise pack (hose bundle), is added only for the stair climb event.

What to wear for CPAT Testing and Walk-Thru Orientations?

Throughout all events, the candidate must wear long pants and footwear with no open heel or toe. A hard hat with chin strap, work gloves will be provided. Watches and loose or restrictive jewelry are not permitted.

CPAT Tools and Equipment

All props were designed to obtain the necessary information regarding a candidate's physical ability to complete firefighting tasks.  The tools and equipment were chosen to provide the highest level of consistency, safety and validity in measuring the candidate’s physical abilities.

CPAT Event Sequence and Timing

The events of the CPAT are placed in a sequence that best simulates their use in a fire scene. The test consists of a series of eight events separated by an 85 foot (25.91 m) walk between each event.  This walk allows the candidate approximately 20 seconds to recover and regroup before each event.  To ensure the highest level of safety and to prevent you from hitting exhaustion, no running is allowed between events.

To ensure scoring accuracy by eliminating timer failure, two stopwatches are used to time the CPAT. One stopwatch is designated as the official test time stopwatch; the second is the backup stopwatch. If mechanical failure occurs, the time on the backup stopwatch is used. The stopwatches are set to a pass/fail time and count down from 10 minutes and 20 seconds. If time elapses prior to the completion of the test, the candidate is deemed to have failed the test.

To minimize the health risk, candidates are required to consult with a medical professional to ascertain an opinion on their ability to partake in CPAT testing.

The medical form must be completed by a medical doctor (general medical practitioner). Any costs incurred in this examination or the completion of this form is the sole responsibility of the candidate.

The Par-Q form must be completed by the candidate. 

The Par-Q form and medical form are valid for one year from the date of completion.

Both documents are mandatory and must be completed and uploaded to the AFRS CPAT site prior to the CPAT Session.  Failure to submit the completed forms will result in the cancellation of the session and the forfeiture of course fees. 

Please note both forms must be uploaded as a single document to the site. 

• CPAT session is $230.00 CND plus applicable taxes.
• Walk-through Orientation is $25.00 CND plus applicable taxes.

The CPAT simulates the physically demanding tasks of firefighting. As such, successful completion of the CPAT requires a high degree of physical fitness in the areas of aerobic and anaerobic power, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility and balance.

In order to ensure successful completion of the CPAT all candidates should view the CPAT Orientation videos review the CPAT Orientation Guide. The CPAT Candidate Preparation Guide provides information on how to physically prepare for the CPAT test.

It is the responsibility of all candidates to arrive at their scheduled test date familiar with the CPAT sequence of events, requirements of each event and the criteria which constitute a pass or fail at each event.

Remember that it is the responsibility of the candidate to be familiar with CPAT procedures and expectations prior to your scheduled CPAT date. Since CPAT guidelines specify that all applicants must be given an opportunity to attend two Orientation sessions within eight weeks prior to scheduled CPAT, any candidates registering less than eight weeks in advance must complete the Waiver of Orientation form.

It is your responsibility to ask questions if you do not understand any part of the CPAT events or procedures.

On the CPAT test day, a pre-exercise heart rate will be measured. If the pre-exercise heart rate is greater than 110bpm, you will not be allowed to proceed with the CPAT session.

Please be advised that certain substances may elevate heart rate (caffeine, smoking, energy drinks, some over the counter cold medications) and it is recommended to avoid these substances the day of your Timed Trial/CPAT test.

AFRS Training Centre
1544 Riverside Road
Abbotsford, BC.

Spectators are not permitted in the testing facility during test sessions.

For all CPAT inquiries please email cpat@abbotsford.ca.  

Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service
32270 George Ferguson Way
Abbotsford, BC V2T 2L1

Phone: 604-853-3566 (Office hours 8:30-4:30, Monday - Friday)
Fax: 604-853-7941 or 604-853-8452