Niagara Falls, On Firefighter Recruitment Closes December 31 2024

QUALIFICATIONS

Mandatory qualifications are as follows:

• Be legally entitled to work in Canada
• A High School Diploma or equivalent
• Valid Class “D” Ontario Driver’s Licence with “Z” Endorsement or equivalent
• Original Driver’s Abstract required (Issued after June 1, 2024 will be accepted)
• Original Criminal Record Check required (Issued after June 1, 2024 will be accepted)
• Current Standard First Aid and CPR (HCP – Health Care Professional) Certificates
• NFPA 1001 Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualification
Firefighter Level 1 & Firefighter Level 2 Certification
• Successfully complete, in one day, the Aptitude Test (CPS), Clinical Assessment, Candidate Physical
Ability Test (CPAT), Acrophobia Test and Fifteen (15) minute Tread Water Test, as provided by
Firefighter Services of Ontario.
• Complete the Emotional Stability and Resiliency Assessment by the deadline provided by Firefighter
Services of Ontario
• Be willing to meet all employment conditions as required by the City of Niagara Falls

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Post-Secondary Fire Services and Medical education.
• Sound knowledge, gained through either formal training and/or practical experience, of firefighting
principles, practices and equipment.
• Sound knowledge of the principles, techniques and practices of, and materials used in, building
construction.
• Familiarity with equipment and apparatus related to firefighting such as hydraulic equipment,
pumps, self-contained breathing apparatus, communications equipment etc.
• Strong leadership and administrative skills, superior interpersonal skills, and the ability to work
cooperatively as a member of an effective and professional team.

Promotional Process / Career Advancement

The City of Niagara Falls Fire Department offers many opportunities for promotion and advancement. It
takes four (4) years to advance from probationary firefighter to first class firefighter. Through the
Collective Agreement between the City and the Niagara Falls Professional Firefighters Association, there
are opportunities for applicants to attain a rank above first class firefighter and/or apply for positions in
either the Fire Prevention Division or the Training Division.
Professional firefighters applying to the City of Niagara Falls, if successful during the recruitment
process, will be required to start at the probationary fire fighter level and salary.
Recruitment and Selection Process
Applicants must pass through all stages of the recruitment process. Those who fail to meet the required
standards at any phase will be automatically disqualified.

STAGE 1:

APPLICATION/RECRUITMENT GUIDE

The Application Form and Firefighter Recruitment Guide can be accessed on the City’s web site
www.niagarafalls.ca under the Careers and Employment menu and by selecting Employment
Opportunities starting October 30, 2024.

STAGE 2:

FIREFIGHTER SERVICES OF ONTARIO SCREENING

To complete the Firefighter Services of Ontario screening, you must register online at
https://register.fireontario.com . The registration deadline is 11:59PM EST on December 31, 2024. All
test components must be completed in one day. Test dates will be arranged by Firefighter Services of
Ontario. All testing shall be completed by February 2, 2025.
Candidates who successfully completed the core four tests in one day (Clinical, CPAT, Tread Water and
Aptitude), on or after February 2, 2024, you would be required to complete:
▪ Clinical Assessment (if expired, valid for 6 months)
▪ Medical, Acrophobia, and/or Emotional Stability and Resiliency Assessment (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.
Transportation costs and the Firefighter Services of Ontario assessment fee will be the responsibility of
the applicant. Applicants can review the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) orientation video on the
Firefighter Services web site www.fireontario.com or for a fee you can sign up for an orientation
session. To sign up for a CPAT orientation session or to purchase a CPS Aptitude Examination.
Preparation Manual please email info@fireontario.com. Further information regarding the Fire Fighter
Screening Service can be found at www.fireontario.com .
Applicants must bring all application materials to their testing appointment. Documents will be
collected from candidates who have successfully completed all tests in one day.

STAGE 3:

SUBMIT APPLICATION

The completed application and resume including proof of all the mandatory qualifications (except
Criminal Check) are to be submitted to Firefighter Services of Ontario by 11:59 p.m. EST on February 2,
2025. Successful applicants will be required to pay an application processing fee when submitting their
application to Firefighter Services of Ontario.

STAGE 4:

FIRST INTERVIEW and CRITICALL TESTING

The applicants will be selected based on the Firefighter Services of Ontario assessments, resume and
qualifications. Interviews will be conducted by the Hiring Panel consisting of Fire Department senior
officers and a Human Resources representative or alternate.
You will be required to arrive 15 minutes earlier to take a picture and answer a written question.
Human Resources would like to take a picture of you to enable the interview committee to better track
all the interviewees. The picture is optional. You will also be given a question to respond in writing. You
will have five (5) minutes to answer the question. Criminal Record check or status of Criminal Record
check will be required at the first interview.
Applicants moving to the first interview stage will complete a CritiCall Test conducted by the Niagara
Falls Fire Department. This test is designed to assess the applicant’s ability to multitask, which is a
critical skill necessary not only in the performance of their duties as a fire fighter, but also in the
performance of their duties as an Emergency Communicator in the Communications Centre. The
CritiCall Testing will be scheduled on the same day as the first interview.

STAGE 5:

SECOND INTERVIEW

Applicants invited for a second interview will be determined by the Hiring Panel. Two supervisory
references will be required at this time.

STAGE 6:

MEDICAL EXAMINATION

All qualified applicants will undertake a Medical Examination. Transportation costs will be the
responsibility of the applicant. The medical will take approximately one hour to complete and may
include medical review and physical completion forms, Vision scanner, Urinalysis and Audiogram. The
medical will be based on NFPA 1582 standard.
A Hepatitis B vaccination will be required.

STAGE 7:

OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT
If reference checks satisfactorily, a job offer will be made to the successful applicants.

FIREFIGHTER SERVICES OF ONTARIO SCREENING

FOR INFORMATION ON THE FIRE FIGHTER CLINICAL ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES /INSTRUCTIONS

PLEASE VISIT www.fireontario.com/services or email info@fireontario.com
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Directions to the Testing Complex can be found at www.fireontario.com under the ‘Contact Us’ tab.
Instructions on preparing for the assessment including:
• Assessment will take at least 7 hours;
• Come dressed prepared to exercise (running shoes, socks, T-shirt, sweatpants, shorts,
bathing suit);
• Advice to bring plenty of food, snacks, and drinks to fuel your body throughout the day
• No eating or drinking (except water), within 4 hours of your appointment;
• Urinate within 12 hours of your appointment;
• No exercise within 12 hours of your appointment;
• No alcohol consumption within 48 hours of your appointment;
• No diuretic medications within 7 days of your appointment;
• No caffeine within 12 hours of your appointment.
• Candidates must be normally hydrated for the body fat composition measure.
A medical and fitness information release form (PAR-Q+ & YOU) and an Informed Consent form briefly
outlining the battery of tests required for Fire Fighter Services of Ontario and associated risks must be
filled out prior to the appointment. This information can be found in the confirmation email candidates
will receive after booking their appointment with Firefighter Services of Ontario.

EMPLOYMENT EXPECTATIONS

Fire Fighters must perform their duties in an uncontrolled environment under emergency conditions.
The job involves the rapid change from relative inactivity to sudden strenuous activity under physically
and psychologically stressful conditions.

With these factors in mind, candidates must be in the required physical and mental health and have no
conditions which could interfere with their ability to perform the required duties safely. The successful
candidate will be expected to be a team player who understands the need to follow orders, procedures,
guidelines, etc. 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 attendance. Candidates who are hired as Fire Fighters will be required to submit
to various types of examinations during their employment.
The successful candidates will present themselves in a professional manner at all times and be fully
conscious of the public’s expectations of a Fire Fighter at all times.