REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Applications will be screened to ensure the following qualifications have been met. If you do not
meet ALL of these, please do not submit an application as it will be screened out:
• Successful completion of an approved Firefighter Training program resulting in a
minimum of Firefighter Level 2 Certificate (NFPA1001). Certificates must have Pro Board
or IFSAC seal.
• High School graduation.
• Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of at least one year of post-secondary
education (i.e. 30 credits-academic/technical/trades) OR at least one year of accumulated
work experience after high school (equivalent to full time hours), preferably in work
related to the needs of the Fire Service (i.e. building construction, mechanical, driving
trucks and/or large or emergency vehicles, first aid, nursing, paramedic,
instructor/educator, full-time competitive athlete, etc.).
• Physically fit for the position of Firefighter and medically fit according to the standards
set in NFPA 1582. It is the candidate’s responsibility to review and understand these
standards. At the latter stage of the process, you will be required to pass an assessment
with a certified medical physician demonstrating medical fitness to perform the job of
Firefighter. The assessment uses NFPA 1582: Standard on Comprehensive Occupational
Medical Program for Fire Departments (referred to as “NFPA 1582”). It is the candidate’s
responsibility to review and understand these standards. An on-line version of the
standard can be viewed on the National Fire Protection Association website or you can
purchase a complete copy from the National Fire Protection Association. Please consult
your physician if you have any concerns about your ability to meet this standard. The cost
of the medical is assumed by the municipality.
• Full COVID-19 Vaccination, if required by policy through the respective municipality.
2022 North Shore Firefighter Applicant Guide 3
• Valid BC Driver’s License, Class 3 with air brake endorsement. Equivalent licenses from
other Canadian provinces or territories are acceptable. Please refer to this link to ensure
equivalency if applying from outside of BC:
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/international-programs/canada/canadian-drivers-license-referenceguide
Or call ICBC Driver Licencing Customer Service for equivalency clarification at 1-800-950-
1498
• Current driver’s abstract (dated no more than 60 days prior to the application closing
date). This abstract should demonstrate responsible and safe driving behaviour. A current
record with:
o Not more than 6 points in the last 3 years prior to the date of the application closing
date.
o Ensure your abstract displays a status of NORMAL. If your abstract displays a status
of HOLD, you may be required to provide details on the “hold” before advancing to
further stages of recruitment.
• Successful completion of and current certification in:
o Occupational First Aid – Level 1, OR
o Standard First Aid – Industry with CPR Level C, OR
o Emergency First Aid – Industry.
• Computer literate (i.e. proficiency in Microsoft Office and/or common software
applications).
• Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada.
• No criminal convictions related to the job of Firefighter. Please see RCMP in British
Columbia – Obtain a Criminal Records Check (Police Information Check) (rcmp-grc.gc.ca)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Progress towards or completion of a post-secondary education program (i.e. academic,
technical or trades training).
• Higher level first aid or first responder certification such as:
o Occupational First Aid Level 3
o First Responder License Level 3 (FR)
o Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
o Primary Care Paramedic (PCP)
o Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP)
2022 North Shore Firefighter Applicant Guide 4
• Additional Fire Service related certificates listed below:
o Auto Extrication/Vehicle Rescue
o Confined Space Rescue
o Hazardous Materials
o Technical Rope Rescue
o Swift Water Rescue
o Lifesaving Certificates (Bronze Cross, Bronze Medallion, NLS)
• Demonstration of community service, other than duties assigned as a paid oncall/volunteer firefighter (i.e. responding to calls, training etc.).
SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION
When submitting your application online, the application process comprises of various stages
with instructions on each screen. You should expect the application process to take
approximately 45 minutes as you navigate through the application portal. Do not wait until the
final day of the competition to apply, should you encounter technical issues.
Before you apply, you will need to have the following three documents ready:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. Supporting Documents (all supporting documents should be in .pdf file format and scanned
into one document/electronic file)
Consider your medical condition in accordance with NFPA1582. It is the candidate’s responsibility
to review and understand these standards.
The supporting documents should INCLUDE ONLY the following certificates in this ORDER:
 Certificate with Pro Board or IFSAC seal for your Firefighter 2 (NFPA1001). A temporary
document from the fire school or academy confirming your completion is acceptable. You will
be required to provide your certificate once you receive it.
 High School Transcript (not High School Diploma).
 Driver’s Abstract (confirming a minimum of a BC Driver’s License, Class 3 with Air Brake
Endorsement (or equivalent)), and issued no earlier than 60 days prior to the application
closing date.
 Certificate(s) or Transcript(s) for any Post-Secondary Education (degree, diploma, trade, nonfire-related certificate programs). Documents must clearly show the credential(s) that you
received and/or the number of credits that you received. Attainment of a Trade Qualification
must be clearly indicated, ideally on an ITA transcript, or on a certificate of qualification.
2022 North Shore Firefighter Applicant Guide 5
If you have indicated partial completion of a registered trades apprenticeship, you must
include your ITA BC Official Program Transcript showing the number of Reported Workplace
Hours you have attained. If you are from outside of BC, we require an official transcript
demonstrating the same from the training authority in your province.
 Certificate(s) for First Aid/First Responder/Medical courses: (For example: Occupational First
Aid Level 1, Standard First Aid – Industry with CPR Level C, Emergency First Aid – Industry,
OFA 3, FMR 3, EMR, EMR Bridging, PCP, ACP, EMR License, PCP License, nurse or doctor.)
 Completed Community Service Experience Verification Form, confirming your community
service experience.
 Certificates or Transcripts for ONLY the following Fire Specific courses in the following order.
Even if you are not certain that your credentials are equivalent to these standards, please
submit your certificates and we will assess them:
• Auto Extrication/Vehicle Rescue (NFPA 1006/FS160/FS161)
• Confined Space Rescue* (NFPA 1006)
• Hazardous Materials** (NFPA 472)
• Technical Rope Rescue* (NFPA 1006)
• Swift Water Rescue* (NFPA 1006)
• Lifesaving (Bronze Cross and/or Bronze Medallion and/or Instructor and/or National
Lifeguard Service Award)
*Operations and Technician level certifications are given equal consideration for Confined
Space Rescue, Technical Rope Rescue, and Swift Water Rescue.
** The Technician level certification is regarded as a higher-level certificate for Hazardous
Materials.

SELECTION PROCESS
You will be contacted by e-mail if you are shortlisted to participate in the next stage. All testing
throughout the recruitment process takes place on the North Shore and all applicants must
attend in person.
Only candidates with the minimum required qualifications and whose applications are regarded
as complete will be considered for advancement to the following stages:
Written Test
The written test is a series of multiple-choice questions. We use a test provided by the
International Public Management Association for Human Resources (IPMA-HR). You may be
tested on your ability to understand written information; perform basic math; understand
mechanical principles, maps and diagrams; and your situational judgment. You will not be tested
on firefighting specific knowledge. A study guide is available at the IPMA HR website to help you
prepare for the written test.
2022 North Shore Firefighter Applicant Guide 6
Medical accommodations are available for the Written Test stage if you have a medical condition
or disability (including a learning disability). Medical documentation will be required to evaluate
such a request.
Tri-Municipal Recruit Assessment Day
Following the Written Test, the 2022 Tri-Municipal Recruit Assessment Day will consist of a
number of stations and will be attended by representatives from each of the three municipalities.
In 2022, this stage will have a different format to previous years.
Station Orientation
Following the Tri-Municipal Recruit Assessment Day, each municipality will proceed separately in
selecting candidates from this pool to advance in their individual process. It is possible that some
candidates may advance in the process for more than one of the three municipalities.
Station Orientation will include various physically challenging components at the City of North
Vancouver, District of North Vancouver and District of West Vancouver.
The following are a sample of components* that will be included:
• Aerial Ladder Climb
• Confined Space
• Wearing swimwear: Swim 200m
• Wearing jeans and a t-shirt: Complete a 50m rescue swim, tread water for 5 minutes and
recover a brick from the 12 foot depth
*Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of the physical components which candidates
will be required to complete.
Should COVID-19 protocols be reinstated in 2022, the recruitment process will follow all active
orders from the Provincial Health Officer (PHO).
2022 North Shore Firefighter Applicant Guide 7
Candidate Selection
Following the Station Orientation stage, each municipality will select candidates to advance in
their respective process. It is possible that some candidates may advance in the process for more
than one of the three municipalities.
While each municipality will announce details at a later date, it is anticipated that:
• Some candidates will be selected to attend a panel interview.
• Some candidates from the pre-qualified pool may be shortlisted for an interview with the
Fire Chief and other representatives for one or more of the three municipalities.
• Candidates may be required to complete psychometric testing, as determined by the
individual municipality.
• Following the Fire Chief’s interview and any further testing, some candidates may be
given a conditional offer of employment or be placed in one or more eligibility pools. The
conditional offer is conditional on at least (but not limited to) the six elements below:
o Passing an assessment with a certified medical physician demonstrating medical
fitness to perform the job of Firefighter. The assessment uses the National Fire
Protection Association – Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical
Program for Fire Departments (referred to as “NFPA 1582”). It is the candidate’s
responsibility to review and understand these standards. An on-line version of the
standard can be viewed at www.nfpa.org or a complete copy purchased from the
National Fire Protection Association at www.nfpa.org. Please consult your physician
if you have any concerns about your ability to meet this standard. The cost of the
medical is assumed by the municipality.
o Passing an approved Firefighter Fitness Test.
o Providing a Police Information Check with vulnerable sector clearance.
o Submitting a new driver’s abstract demonstrating safe and responsible driving
behaviour as at the time of application.
o Successful completion of work related reference checks.
o Full COVID-19 Vaccination, if required by policy through the respective municipality.
• Candidates who are not selected for immediate employment may be placed on an
eligibility pool with one or more of the municipalities for consideration for future
employment opportunities. Each municipality will confirm separately the conditions for
remaining in their eligibility pool.
2022 North Shore Firefighter Applicant Guide 8
LIVING BOUNDARIES
Should you be hired, each of the three fire departments has living boundary requirements as
follows:
City of North Vancouver (Per Letter of Understanding #13)
Extended North Shore Boundaries – All Divisions
A minimum of 60% of the total number of IAFF members, including all Divisions and Floater
Firefighters, (rounded to the whole number) must reside in the City of North Vancouver or in one
of the following municipalities:
• District of West Vancouver
• District of North Vancouver
• Village of Lions Bay
• City of Vancouver
• Burnaby
• University Endowment Lands
• Port Moody
• Coquitlam
• Port Coquitlam
• New Westminster
• Squamish
• Pitt Meadows
Extended Boundaries – All Divisions
After submission of a written request and with subsequent written approval of the Fire Chief, a
maximum of 34% of the total number of IAFF members, including all Divisions and Floater
Firefighters, (rounded to the whole number) may reside in the extended areas defined as follows:
• Richmond
• Delta
• Surrey
• Maple Ridge
• Township of Langley
• City of Langley
• White Rock
Outside Extended Boundaries – All Divisions
After submission of a written request and with subsequent written approval of the Fire Chief, a
maximum of 6% of the total number of IAFF members, including all Divisions and excluding
Floater Firefighters, (rounded to the whole number) may reside in the outside extended areas
defined as follows:
2022 North Shore Firefighter Applicant Guide 9
• Whistler
• Abbotsford
• Mission
• Chilliwack
• Sunshine Coast
• Bowen Island
Floater Firefighters – Suppression Division
Must reside in the areas Extended North Shore Boundaries or Extended Boundaries as outlined
in category above.
District of North Vancouver (Per Collective Agreement with IAFF 1183)
The ten least senior Firefighters are in a relief pool and must be prepared to respond to a call to
work, sometimes at short notice. All employees must reside in the District of North Vancouver or
in one of the following adjoining municipalities and must continue to reside within one of these
areas while in the District’s employ:
• District of West Vancouver
• City of North Vancouver
• City of Vancouver
• Burnaby
• Coquitlam
• Port Moody
• Port Coquitlam
• University Endowment Lands
• New Westminster
• Village of Lions Bay
• Squamish
After submission of a written request and only with subsequent approval by the Fire Chief, a
maximum of thirty percent (30%) of the total number of the employees may reside in the
extended boundaries defined as follows:
• Richmond
• Delta
• Surrey
• Maple Ridge
• Langley
• Pitt Meadows
• White Rock
2022 North Shore Firefighter Applicant Guide 10
At the discretion of the Fire Chief, a maximum of fifteen (15%) of the total number of the
employees (rounded to the higher whole number) may reside outside of the extended
boundaries.
District of West Vancouver (Per the Collective Agreement with IAFF 1525)
Not less than sixty percent (60%) of the Fire Department employees shall reside in the following
areas:
• West Vancouver
• North Vancouver
• Burnaby
• Vancouver
• Lions Bay
• New Westminster
• Port Moody
• Coquitlam, west of the Coquitlam River
• Squamish (including Brackendale and Garibaldi Highlands)*
• Furry Creek*
• Brittania Beach*
Upon written approval of the Fire Chief, up to forty percent (40%) of Fire Department employees
shall be allowed to live in the following areas:
• Richmond
• Coquitlam, east of the Coquitlam River
• Anmore/Belcarra
• Surrey
• Cloverdale
• Aldergrove
• White Rock
• Delta
• Ladner
• Maple Ridge
• Port Coquitlam
• Pitt Meadows
• Langley
• Sunshine Coast*
• Bowen Island*
• Abbotsford
• West of a north-south line drawn north from the Sumas Border Crossing to the Highway
No. 1 Sumas Exit and on to Highway No. 11 to the Fraser River.
*In accordance with and subject to other restrictions defined in the Letter of Understanding
between DWV and IAFF Local 1525 dated January 26, 2016.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What if any of my licenses expire while my application is in process?
All licenses MUST be kept current during our recruitment process. Submitting expired licenses
may disqualify you. Should you advance through the recruitment stages, you will be requested
to provide updated copies of your licenses.
Do I need to attach all of my supporting documentation when I submit my online application?
Yes, all required documentation is required to be submitted by the closing date or your
application will remain incomplete and not considered further.
What if I have completed and passed a First Responder Level III course (or higher) but will not
receive my license in time to submit it on my application?
If you have passed your First Responders Level III Licensing or higher and you are waiting for your
Medical License card to come in the mail in order to provide your license number and expiry date,
in the interim, you must contact Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board (EMALB) and ask
for a letter confirming these two items and submit it in your application.
Can I apply with a Learners Class III Driver’s License or higher?
No. We will not accept any form of Learners Driver’s License at the time of application.
If I have a college diploma or university degree do I still need to submit my high school
transcript?
Yes. You are still required to submit your high school transcript.
What will cause my application to be screened out during the initial application process?
Every year we screen out numerous applications because of a lack of attention to detail on the
candidates part when submitting the application. It is very important to read and follow all
instructions that are provided to you. Common reasons for applications being screened out are:
• Applicant did not meet ALL of the required qualifications (see pages 2-3)
• High school transcripts were not supplied (do not submit a high school diploma)
• Post-secondary transcripts proving 30 credits were not supplied
• ITA BC Official Program Transcript is not supplied demonstrating reported trade
apprenticeship hours (or similar if applying outside of BC)
• Supporting documentation is missing
• Drivers abstract missing/not within the specified time period (within 60 days prior to
application closing date).
• If you have indicated in your application that you have a First Aid license, you must include
the license in addition to the certificate.
• First aid license has expired.
I was eliminated from last year’s hiring process. Can I reapply?
The recruitment process is open to all applicants who meet the required qualifications.