🚒 Ottawa Firefighter Jobs 2026 – Ottawa Fire Services

Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) is hiring permanent full-time Firefighters to join its emergency response team.

This is an opportunity to become a Firefighter with the City of Ottawa, responding to a wide range of emergencies and protecting the lives, property and environment of Ottawa residents and visitors.

📌 Ottawa Firefighter Job Details

Job Detail	Information
Employer	City of Ottawa – Ottawa Fire Services
Position	Firefighter
Employment Type	Permanent Full-Time
Department	Emergency & Protective Services
Service	Ottawa Fire Services
Work Location	898 Industrial Avenue, Ottawa, ON
Work Schedule	24-hour shifts
Average Hours	42 hours per week
2026 Salary	$33.819 – $56.365/hour
Application Deadline	October 4, 2026
Job Category	Ottawa Fire Services

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🔥 Firefighter Job Responsibilities

Ottawa Fire Services Firefighters are integral members of the City’s emergency response team.

Firefighters may be required to respond to and perform duties including:

• 🔥 Structural and emergency firefighting
• 🚪 Forcible entry
• 🔎 Search and rescue
• ❤️ Emergency medical aid and CPR
• 🚗 Vehicle extrication
• 🧗 Technical rescue operations
• ☣️ Hazardous materials operations
• 🚨 Emergency scene safety and scene control
• 🏗️ Operations at height and in confined spaces
• ⚠️ Operations in immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) environments

Firefighters work within the Ottawa Fire Services command structure and are expected to function effectively as part of a team during incidents ranging from routine emergencies to large-scale disasters.

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🚒 Fire Apparatus & Equipment

Firefighters operate Ottawa Fire Services apparatus, vehicles and equipment in accordance with applicable policies and the Highway Traffic Act.

Equipment may include:

• Fire pumps
• Hoses
• Ground ladders
• Aerial apparatus, platforms and ladders
• Generators
• Vehicle extrication equipment
• Specialized emergency response equipment

Firefighters also complete daily station duties, including cleaning, inspections, testing, documentation and maintenance of equipment and apparatus.

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🏠 Fire Station & Operational Duties

Firefighters are responsible for maintaining equipment and the fire station in a state of readiness.

Duties include:

• Inspecting and maintaining apparatus and equipment
• Performing safety checks
• Cleaning and organizing the fire station
• Returning equipment to a state of readiness
• Completing required documentation
• Maintaining City property and grounds
• Completing assigned training and retraining
• Participating in pre-incident planning

Pre-incident planning helps firefighters become familiar with response-area risks, building challenges, transportation routes and potential obstacles.

Firefighters may also participate in:

• 👨‍🚒 Public education
• 🔥 Fire prevention activities
• 🏘️ Community fire safety programs

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🎓 Ottawa Firefighter Minimum Education Requirements

Applicants must have successfully completed:

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), Grade 12, or an academic equivalent.

Previous fire service or related-sector work experience is considered an asset.

Related experience may include backgrounds in:

• Emergency services
• Trades
• Other related occupations
• Relevant training programs
• Educational programs

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📜 Ottawa Firefighter Certifications & Licences

Applicants must have:

NFPA Certifications

• NFPA 1001 Level 1 & 2
• NFPA 470, NFPA 1072 or NFPA 472 Operations Level
• Proof of IFSAC or Pro Board seals

A Letter of Compliance with NFPA standards from the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office through grandfathering is accepted in lieu of seals.

🧪 HazMat

Applicants must have the required hazardous materials Operations-level certification through:

• NFPA 470
• NFPA 1072
• NFPA 472

📝 OFAI Stage 1 / Aptitude Testing

Applicants must have either:

• A current and valid OFAI Stage One Firefighter Aptitude and Character Test CTS Certificate, or
• Complete the aptitude testing required by Ottawa Fire Services.

The OFAI Stage One certificate is not required before applying. Applicants without the certificate must indicate this during the application process.

🚛 Ontario Class D Z Licence

Applicants must possess:

Ontario Class D licence with Z air brake endorsement

with no more than three demerit points accumulated.

Provincial or territorial equivalents may also be accepted.

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🧠 Ottawa Firefighter Skills & Competencies

Ottawa Fire Services identifies a wide range of skills and competencies for successful Firefighter candidates.

These include:

• Understanding and following the chain of command
• Working effectively under stressful conditions
• Problem solving and analytical skills
• Mechanical aptitude
• Equipment operation and troubleshooting
• Emergency situation assessment
• Customer service
• Task prioritization
• Teamwork
• Working effectively in a diverse environment
• Initiative and independent work
• Oral and written communication
• Computer and technology skills
• Professionalism
• Integrity
• Reliability
• Credibility
• Leadership
• Interpersonal skills
• Judgment and decision-making

Candidates must also be capable of working in challenging, adverse and dangerous environments and performing sustained physical effort required by the position.

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🚒 Heavy Vehicle Experience

Experience operating heavy vehicles is identified as a skill, including vehicles such as:

• Trucks
• Tractor trailers
• Buses
• Other heavy vehicles

This can be particularly relevant to candidates with emergency services, transportation, trades or heavy-equipment backgrounds.

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🤝 Volunteerism & Community Involvement

Ottawa Fire Services identifies a commitment to volunteerism and community involvement as part of the skills and competencies for the position.

Relevant experience may include:

• Community events
• Social initiatives
• Civil/community organizations
• Non-profit organizations
• Counselling
• Crisis intervention
• Other community involvement

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📚 Continuing Education & Professional Development

Firefighters are expected to maintain a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.

Successful candidates must complete assigned training and retraining within the required timeframes.

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🕐 Ottawa Firefighter Work Schedule

The position operates on a 24-hour shift schedule.

Firefighters must be available to work:

• Days
• Nights
• Weekends
• Holidays

The assigned schedule averages 42 hours per week over a four-week period.

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🗣️ Language Requirement

English

Applicants must have English oral, reading and writing skills.

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🚨 Police Record Check

Successful candidates must complete a Vulnerable Sector Check (Level 3) with the police service in their jurisdiction to the satisfaction of the City of Ottawa.

Police record checks completed through a third-party company will not be accepted.

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💰 Ottawa Firefighter Salary

The posted 2026 salary range is:

$33.819 – $56.365 per hour

The position is permanent full-time and affiliated with the Fire/Suppression Division.

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📅 Ottawa Firefighter Application Deadline

October 4, 2026

Applicants should save a copy of the job posting because the posting may no longer be available after the closing date.

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📋 Ottawa Firefighter Qualifications at a Glance

Required:

✅ Grade 12 / OSSD or academic equivalent
✅ NFPA 1001 Level 1 & 2
✅ NFPA 470, 1072 or 472 Operations Level
✅ IFSAC or Pro Board seal, or accepted OFM Letter of Compliance
✅ OFAI Stage One CTS Certificate OR Ottawa Fire Services aptitude testing
✅ Ontario Class D licence
✅ Z air brake endorsement
✅ Maximum 3 demerit points
✅ English oral, reading and writing skills
✅ Ability to work 24-hour shifts

Assets include:

⭐ Previous fire service experience
⭐ Emergency services experience
⭐ Trades experience
⭐ Related education and training
⭐ Heavy vehicle operating experience
⭐ Community involvement and volunteerism
⭐ Mechanical aptitude
⭐ Technical skills
⭐ Public/customer service experience

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🏙️ About Ottawa Fire Services

Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) provides emergency response services throughout the City of Ottawa.

Firefighters respond to a broad range of emergencies, including fires, medical emergencies, vehicle collisions, technical rescues and hazardous materials incidents.

The position also includes station duties, equipment maintenance, training, pre-incident planning, public education and fire prevention activities.

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🚒 Thinking About Becoming an Ottawa Firefighter?

If you’re preparing for a career with Ottawa Fire Services, make sure your application clearly demonstrates your firefighting certifications, emergency-response experience, education, driver’s licence qualifications, mechanical skills, teamwork and community involvement.

For candidates applying to Ontario career fire departments, keeping your NFPA certifications, driver’s licence, testing credentials and supporting documentation current is essential.