Firefighter Recruitment

2025 Firefighter Recruitment - Now Open!Review the information below to learn more about the application process, job details, requirements, and the remaining steps in the recruitment process.

Introduction

The information contained in this guide will explain the recruitment process as well as outline some of the duties and responsibilities of the position of Firefighter for the City of St. Catharines.

Please read the information carefully. Failure to follow directions or meet minimum qualifications at any stage of the recruitment and selection process may result in your application being disqualified. Any costs associated with The City of St. Catharines Firefighter Screening Test and application process will be incurred by the applicant.

Inquiries regarding this process can be made to the Human Resources Division, by phone at 905.688.5601 (Ext 1484) or by e-mail at hrreps@stcatharines.ca

Employment Criteria

As a firefighter, you’ll be required to respond to emergencies, transitioning quickly from calm periods to stressful and physically demanding situations. This role can be both mentally and physically challenging.

To become a firefighter for the City of St. Catharines, you should meet the following qualifications:

Grade 12 diploma.
Valid Ontario Class “D” driver’s licence with “Z” endorsement, or another licence classification that permits driving Class D vehicles, such as Class A, B, or C with a Z air brake endorsement.

Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider certification (must be continuously valid and unexpired as of the application date)
Standard First Aid Level C certification (must be continuously valid and unexpired as of the application date).
NFPA 1001: Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications – Firefighter Level I and Level II certification.

Additional Requirements

Additional education or training related to fire or emergency services and / or post-secondary education, trades qualifications are considered assets.

Applicants must be medically fit, in excellent physical condition, to withstand the rigors of firefighting, emergency response and other non-emergency work, and be willing to work the current shift schedule (i.e. 24-hour shifts). Applicants must also meet the required physical and mental health requirements and have no conditions that could interfere with their ability to safely perform the required duties. Applicants will be expected to be a team player, take direction and be able to follow orders / procedures /guidelines in a cooperative and safe manner.

During the course of employment, the successful candidate will be expected to maintain a high degree of physical fitness and regular attendance. Firefighters will also be required to submit to various types of examinations during the course of their employment, in order to maintain required certifications. The successful candidate will present themselves in a professional manner and be fully conscious of the public's expectations of a Firefighter at all times.

Recruitment and Selection Process

To be considered for an interview, applicants must successfully progress through each phase of the recruitment process outlined below. Applicants who fail to meet the required standards or minimum qualifications at any phase may be disqualified from further consideration.

Phase One: Screening Test

All applicants will be required to attend Firefighter Services of Ontario (FSO) to have their qualifications verified and to participate in the FSO Screening.

The FSO Screening Test will include all of the following components:

Clinical Assessment
CPS Aptitude Examination
Medical Examination
Tread Water Test
Acrophobia Test
Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)
Emotional Stability and Resiliency Assessment (ESR)

You must register for one of the dates scheduled for this recruitment process by visiting https://register.fireontario.com/. The deadline to register is 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, August 22, 2025, and all screening must be completed by October 5, 2025.

Already completed FSO testing?

Candidates who successfully completed the core four tests in one day (Clinical, CPAT, Tread Water, and Aptitude) on or after October 5, 2024, will be required to successfully complete the following:

Clinical Assessment (if expired; valid for 6 months)

Medical Examination, Acrophobia Test, and/or Emotional Stability and Resiliency Assessment (ESR) (if expired; valid for 1 year)

Submit your application package to FSO by mail or in person

Please contact info@fireontario.com to confirm your eligibility.

Please bring your valid Standard First Aid and Basic Life Support certificates with you to your appointment. You will also be required to present the following documents for verification:

A valid DZ driver’s licence (or another licence classification that permits driving Class D vehicles, such as Class A, B, or C with a Z air brake endorsement)
Your original Grade 12 diploma
NFPA 1001: Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications – Firefighter Level I and Level II certification

A $40 application processing fee is required, payable to Firefighter Services of Ontario.

FSO assessment fees, application fees, and transportation costs are the responsibility of the applicant.

For more information and the fee schedule, please visit http://fireontario.com

Phase Two: Application Process

Applicants who have successfully completed Phase One of the recruitment process will be required to apply online by visiting the City of St. Catharines careers website.

The online application will guide applicants through a series of questions related to their qualifications and experience. At the time of application, applicants must also attach a résumé.

Online applications will be accepted from September 22, 2025, to October 13, 2025.

Phase Three: Interview Process

Interviews are expected to begin in mid to late October 2025. Only applicants being considered will be contacted by the Human Resources Division.

All communication with applicants will be conducted via email. Please add hr@stcatharines.ca to your email contacts to prevent messages from being directed to your junk or spam folder.

Additional interviews and/or testing may be requested at any stage of the recruitment process.

Phase Four: Pre-Employment Conditions

Offers of employment will be conditional upon receipt of a current satisfactory driver’s abstract, satisfactory criminal record check (including vulnerable sector screening), and verification of employment references. Qualified applicants will also be required to satisfy a Pre-Employment Medical Examination arranged by The Corporation. Medical examination fees will be incurred by The City of St. Catharines, however, transportation will be the responsibility of the applicant.

Phase Five: Offer of Employment

Offers of employment will be made to successful applicants to fill current vacancies once pre-employment conditions and medical examinations are completed to the satisfaction of The Corporation.

Eligibility List

The City of St. Catharines may maintain an Eligibility List, whereby successful applicants who are not immediately offered employment may be contacted and given the opportunity to be placed on the list. The Eligibility List will remain valid for up to twenty-four (24) months.

If future vacancies arise, candidates on the Eligibility List may be contacted and could be required to participate in additional interviews or testing.

Offers of employment will only be made to successful applicants from the Eligibility List once all interviews, pre-employment conditions, and medical examinations have been completed to the satisfaction of the Corporation.