Are you interested in becoming a paid on-call firefighter? Devon Fire/Rescue provides fire and rescue services to all residents and businesses within the Town of Devon and Fire District 1 of Parkland County.

Paid on-call firefighters respond to a variety of emergencies – including, but not limited to residential, rural, commercial, and industrial fires, vehicle collisions, and medical calls – and help keep our communities safe. As a firefighter, you will receive professional-level National Fire Protection Association training at no personal financial cost, and will gain valuable hands-on experience through training scenarios and emergency calls.

Fill out this online form to submit your application

Devon Fire/Rescue accepts applications year-round. Annual recruit intake is in the fall, or on an individual basis.

Requirements

You must meet the below requirements in order to become a paid on-call firefighter for Devon Fire/Rescue:

• be available to respond to one or more of the following times: weekdays, evenings, weekends
• live within a 10 minute response of the Devon Fire Station
• minimum of 18 years of age
• valid Class 5 driver's licence and your own transportation
• provide a criminal record & vulnerable sector check
• provide a driver's abstract
• employer consent (if responding during work hours)
• meet all physical fitness requirements
• regularly attend weekly training sessions
• attend weekend courses and other training, as required

Shift workers are welcome to apply, if they meet the above requirements.

Compensation and Benefits

Paid on-call firefighters are compensated on an hourly basis for:

• time responding to emergency calls
• weekly training (not including basic recruit course or other training courses)

We recognize that firefighting is a dangerous job, and continue to expand our programs to mitigate this risk and protect our firefighters. Below are some of the benefits paid on-call firefighters receive:

• gear, equipment and uniforms
• access to training courses
• coverage under the Workers' Compensation Board
• 24-hour accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Member and Family Assistance program
• access to peer support team

Application Process

The application process includes a variety of interviews, tests, and training before you become a responding firefighter.

Information Session and Station Tour (Optional)

We encourage all applicants to attend a station tour and/or information session. If you'd like to attend a tour, please contact us by email and we can make arrangements.

Interview

We will contact applicants that are chosen for an interview. You should bring the following items to your interview:

• driver's abstract (if not already provided)
• criminal record check, including vulnerable sector check (allow 7-10 days for RCMP processing)
• a copy of your resume
• any certificates or license's mentioned in your application

Note: if you don't bring these items to the interview, it may result in the cancellation of the interview.

Reference Checks

You are required to provide the names and contact information for three references, including one recent employment reference. We will contact your references for feedback.

Training Offer

Following a successful interview, and reference checks, successful applicants will be selected to enroll in recruit training.

Orientation and Training

You will need to attend an orientation session. This is the official start of the Recruit Training Program with Devon Fire/Rescue. During the orientation session, you will receive:

• an overview of Devon Fire/Rescue
• an overview of Devon Fire/Rescue policies and performance standards
• an overview of Occupational Health and Safety
• sizing for personal protective equipment

If you are accepted as a paid on-call firefighter recruit, you will complete a 12-week, 96-hour training program. This program includes both theory and practical training. At the end of the program, you will take an exam, practical skills test, and Performance Ability Test (PAT). If you fail to meet these training standards, you may be released.

Paid on-call firefighters must regularly attend weekly training sessions, and additional courses on some weekends as required to maintain their skills.

Disclaimer

Before beginning any exercise routine or aerobic fitness evaluation, you should know your physical ability. You are encouraged to review the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology Get Active Questionnaire, which will help you decide whether or not to talk to a doctor before becoming more physically active.

Further, Devon Fire/Rescue encourages you to consult your physician to determine if you are physically able to perform essential, entry-level firefighter job tasks. To help your physician understand the job tasks, review a copy of the National Fire Protection Association NFPA 1582 standard. Do not submit any medical information with your application.