Website Central York Fire Services
CENTRAL YORK FIRE SERVICES
Probationary Firefighter
RECRUITMENT INFORMATION PACKAGE
2022
READ this document in its entirety prior to applying.
About Central York Fire Services
Central York Fire Services is a full-time consolidated fire service with 163 staff providing
excellent public education, fire prevention, and emergency fire services to the residents of
Aurora and Newmarket. These two vibrant communities are protected by a fire service that
is able to respond effectively and competently to a wide range of emergencies and hazards,
through our Mission: To serve with professionalism, honour and integrity.
CYFS serves a combined population of approximately 150,000 and covers an area of 90
square kilometres. The department responds to approximately 5000 emergency calls each
year; operating out of five fire stations, three in Aurora and two in Newmarket.
General
Firefighting entails the combating, extinguishing and prevention of fire, and the preservation
of life and property.
A career Firefighter is responsible for performing various duties under emergency conditions
frequently involving considerable hazard. Routine duties also include the maintenance of
firefighting equipment and Fire Department property, and carrying out specific orders and
directions received from senior officers.
COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
The Town of Newmarket is committed to taking every precaution reasonable in the
circumstances for the protection of the health and safety of workers from the hazard of
COVID-19. The Town of Newmarket, as a condition of employment, requires all employees,
students, and volunteers to be fully vaccinated with a Health Canada or World Health
Organization approved COVID-19 vaccine series, unless legally entitled to accommodation
under the Ontario Human Rights code. Reference Vaccination Policy.
Proof of identification and of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be required for
any phase of the recruitment process that involves candidates attending on site.
Required Qualifications
In order to be considered for a career as a Central York Fire Services Firefighter, you must
meet the following eligibility criteria:
• NFPA 1001-Firefighter I and II certified, education and training program from an
accredited institution;
• Valid Certificates from the Ontario Fire Administration Inc. – Candidate Testing
Program for Stages One, Two, and Three at the time of application; Valid Swim Test
Certificate if selected for interview.
• Must have completed a minimum of grade 12 or equivalent as approved by the
Ministry of Education
• Must be able to understand and communicate clearly in verbal and written English
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Be legally entitled to work in Canada (must be either a Canadian citizen, permanent
resident, landed immigrant)
• Must not have a criminal record unless a pardon has been granted under the
Criminal Record Act of Canada
• Must possess a valid Ontario Drivers License Class “D” with “Z” endorsement at the
time of application
• Must possess a current Standard First Aid and CPR-C, or higher, Certificate and be
current throughout the duration of the recruitment process
• Candidates must meet the vision requirements as outlined in Chapter Six of NFPA 1582:
Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments.
• Permitted hearing loss is no greater than 40 decibels, unaided, in either ear at 500
Hz/db, 1000 Hz/db, 2000 Hz/db and 3000 Hz/db.
• Availability to work shifts that may vary (days, nights, weekends, statutory holidays);
ability to work extended hours when required as a result of emergency responses;
ability to work 24-hour shift schedule.
Additional Preferred Qualifications:
• Pre-service firefighter education and training program certificate
• Additional Education
• Firefighter experience
• Trade apprenticeship or certification
• Working experience
• Medical training or experience (i.e. Paramedic, Nursing etc)
Revised October 24, 2022 Page 3 of 6
• Other relevant specialized training, qualifications or experience
• Demonstrated community service and/or volunteer involvement
Recruitment Procedure
READ this document in its entirety prior to applying.
The procedure for selecting Probationary Firefighters consists of the following:
Phase 1 – Successful completion of the Ontario Fire Administration Inc. Candidate Testing
Services (OFAI-CTS) Stages one, two and three, at the time of application
Phase 2 – Application via Town of Newmarket’s online application system – October 31,
2022 to December 5, 2022. (closes 4:00 p.m.)
Phase 3 – Review of applications – December 6, 2022 to December 23, 2022
Phase 4 – CYFS specific Skills Testing – January 10 – 12, 2023
(Invites to candidates to be sent out by December 31, 2022)
Phase 5 – Interviews – February 1 to February 17, 2023
(Invites to candidates to be sent out January 23 – 27, 2023)
Candidates selected for an interview will be required to complete and pass the OFAI-CTS
Swim Test and provide valid swim test certificates by February 17, 2023.
Phase 6 – Reference Checks – February 21 – March 3, 2023
Phase 7 – Conditional Offers – March 6 to 10, 2023
Phase 8 – Probationary Firefighters Training Class – April 3, 2023 (to be confirmed)
At each step, a “short list” of applicants will proceed to the next step in the selection
process. Only applicants selected for Phase 4 and beyond will be contacted.
Please be advised that email and telephone will be used to communicate with applicants. It
is the applicant’s responsibility to include a current phone number as well as a current email
address that is checked daily including “spam/junk” folders. As we send time sensitive
correspondence via email (i.e. skills testing booking, interview dates, offers of employment),
it is imperative that applicants check their email regularly.
Note: All costs incurred shall be paid by the applicant.
Revised October 24, 2022 Page 4 of 6
Phase 1 – Ontario Fire Administration-Candidate Testing Program Certification
Ontario Fire Administration Inc. provides a standardized and uniform approach to the
candidate testing process for candidates pursuing a firefighting career in municipal fire
departments in Ontario.
The Ontario Fire Administration Inc. Candidate Testing Services (OFAI CTS) will enable
those individuals whose aptitude, interpersonal skills, physical abilities and practical
firefighting skills align with the needs of municipal fire services, to pass through the system.
When a candidate successfully completes the three stage testing process, they are ready to
apply to Central York Fire Services.
Prior to applying, Candidates are required to complete and pass all required tests with
Ontario Fire Administration Inc. Click here (www.ofai.ca) for more information on the
Candidate Testing Services.
Note: Transportation costs and any fees associated with the Ontario Fire Administration Inc.
screening will be the responsibility of the applicant.
Prior to applying, applicants must have successfully completed all stages of the Ontario Fire
Administration Inc. Candidate Testing Program (www.ofai.ca) and hold valid certificates for
Stage One, Two, and Three. Verification with OFAI-CTS prior to Phase 4 Invites will include
candidate certificate status and any code of conduct breaches.
(Swim Test certificate will only be required for those candidates selected for an interview).
Phase 2 – Application via the Town of Newmarket online application system
This recruitment process will be used for the selection of candidates for Spring 2023 hiring.
Following this recruitment, any applicants not informed of selection will be required to apply
again in the future.
Applicants who have met all of the above minimum qualifications must apply via the Town of
Newmarket’s website www.newmarket.ca and online application system. Applicants must
create a profile, apply to Requisition #22-212, complete the online screening questionnaire,
and provide the following attachments:
• Cover Letter
• Resume
Notes:
Do not attach Certifications or OFAI-CTS Certificates, copies will be required if offered an
interview.
Do not attach Driver’s Abstract or Police Records Check with application. Certified copies
or originals will be required if offered a position.
Revised October 24, 2022 Page 5 of 6
Phase 3 – Review of Applicants
In addition to the initial screening in the application software, applications will be reviewed
and assessed on the minimum qualifications, as well as additional preferred qualifications.
OFAI – Candidate Testing Services will be contacted to verify candidate certificate status.
Phase 4 – Basic Firefighter Skills Evaluation
Applicants proceeding to Phase 4 will be required to attend a CYFS specific basic
Firefighter Skills assessment at the Central York Fire Services Station 4-5 where they will
participate in a number of firefighter and interpersonal activities. Applicants participating in
this phase will provide authorization to be photographed for the recruitment process.
Applicants selected for interview (Phase 5) will be required to complete and pass the
Ontario Fire Administration Inc. Candidate Testing Services Swim Test and provide a copy
of their valid certificate at the end of Phase 5.
Phase 5 – Selection Interview
Applicants proceeding to Phase 5 will be required to attend an interview before a Selection
Panel.
Candidates will be required to provide the following when selected for an interview:
• Three contacts from present and/or past employers, and preferably from immediate
supervisors, for the purpose of obtaining reference information.
• Copies of Certificates/certifications.
Interviewees will be required to provide their Valid OFAI-CTS Swim Test Certificates by
February 17, 2023.
IMPORTANT: Interviews may be conducted in person or virtually.
Phase 6 – Reference Checks
Applicants proceeding to Phase 6 will be contacted and informed that references will be
contacted. It is preferred that candidates at this point contact their references and confirm
availability.
Phase 7 – Conditional Offer
Upon completion of references satisfactory to the Town’s standards, a conditional offer of
employment for Probationary Firefighter will be provided electronically to those candidates
being offered a position in our Spring 2023 recruit class. This offer is conditional upon:
• Original or certified copy of a Driver’s Abstract, with proof of DZ endorsement, issued
no earlier than June 5, 2022.
• Original or certified copy of a Vulnerable Sector Screening clearance issued by the
RCMP or your local police service, issued no earlier than April 3, 2022.
Revised October 24, 2022 Page 6 of 6
• Proof of vaccination with a Health Canada or World Health Organization approved
COVID-19 vaccine series.
• A Physician Assessment and completion of the Medical Assessment Form that
declares the candidate medically fit to perform the duties of a Firefighter.
Phase 8 – Training Class
Probationary Firefighter training is scheduled to begin on April 3, 2023 (to be confirmed).
Any candidates not offered a position, must re-apply when opportunities are posted in the
future.
Important Notes:
• All communication will be sent electronically through email and our online application
portal. When applying online, you will receive an email confirmation that your
application has been successfully received. If it is your first time creating an account on
the Newmarket website, you will also receive a confirmation that your account was
created. Please check your junk or spam folder if you do not see these
confirmations email in your inbox. Add this email address to your contacts so
that you do not miss any communication. If you do not receive a confirmation,
your application was not completed.
• Only those applicants selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be
contacted by the town.
• Applications and required documentation will only be accepted online. CYFS will not
accept applications delivered in person, by mail, fax or email.
• Applicants must possess all necessary certifications outlined in this posting at time of
application. Applicants who are in the process of obtaining required certifications will not
be considered. (Exception: Swim Test certification will be completed by those applicants
who are selected for an interview).
• Applicants are responsible for all costs (i.e.: certificates, testing, travel, medical)
throughout the recruitment process.
• Completion of OFAI certificates does not guarantee applicants will move forward in the
recruitment process.
• There will be no exceptions to expiration dates of certificates, or issue dates of Driver’s
Abstracts and Vulnerable Sector Screenings.
• Firefighter recruitments attract a high volume of applicants. CYFS is unable to respond
to individual inquiries during or after the recruitment process. Please do not call the
Towns of Newmarket or Aurora, Human Resources or Fire department. If you
require assistance with the online application process, please email hr@newmarket.ca
and we will respond within two (2) business days.
