Recruitment (on call) part-time Firefighter/First Responder
A rewarding and challenging community experience
RECRUITMENT STATUS: The competition for part-time Firefigher/First Responders is now closed. Please note that we will only accept applications when a competition is open.
The following information is provided to help future prospective applicants to understand our requirements and recruitment process.
The hiring process is:
- interview
- physical fitness test
- physicians medical assessment
- decision to hire by interview panel
A trained Firefighter/First Responder is a skilled member of the community who, when called, uses modern equipment, methods and techniques to undertake a range of activities to preserve life and property. Each time a Part-time Firefighter/First Responder is called to an emergency, he or she must be prepared to utilize the skills they have developed through specialized training. Part-time fire crews, led by a Fire Officer, work in conjunction with the full time staff as a team, at a variety of incidents.
Part-time Firefighters operate out of two rural fire stations:
Please Note: We require you to live in the communities of South Cooking Lake or Ardrossan or the immediate surrounding areas to qualify for this position. Eligible Recruit Area map (848KB)
For a complete list of the services Strathcona County Emergency Services provides, please see the about our department page.
Part-time recruitment process
A policy has been established whereby the applications for the position of Firefighter/First Responder will be accepted within a specified timeframe - known as a part-time recruitment period.
Recruitments are advertised in local newspapers and under the Job Opportunities section of the Strathcona County website. Resumes are accepted only during these periods.
Strathcona County Emergency Services selects all candidates on the basis of merit and invites applications from all interested persons living within a reasonable distance of either Station #2 - South Cooking Lake, or Station #3 - Ardrossan. Eligible Recruit Area map (848KB)
Emergency Services follows various steps in selecting applicants. These steps take place over a number of weeks and include the following:
- Informative Open Houses at both Station #2 and Station #3
- Acceptance and review of all applications and resumes submitted during recruitment period
- Personal Interviews conducted
- Physical fitness assessment of selected applicants
- Medical evaluation of selected applicants conducted by a physician of the department's choice
Any applicant deemed not qualified at any stage will not proceed further in the selection process. Unsuccessful applicants are invited to reapply in any future recruitment program, but must submit a new application and proceed through the selection process once again.
Characteristics and skills
In order to function effectively at emergency incidents, a part-time Firefighter/First Responder should have the following characteristics and skills:
- The physical strength and capacity for rapid, intense and sustained effort
- An ability to carry out orders at emergencies, combined with the capacity to assess a situation and act on his or her own initiative, or work effectively as part of a team
- A practical understanding of a wide range of subjects related to fire, rescue, dangerous goods and emergency medical services, including the ability to operate and understand the operation of mechanical equipment
- Personal characteristics of loyalty, dedication and commitment to duty
Qualifications
To become a part-time Firefighter/First Responder with Strathcona County Emergency Services, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be legally entitled to work in Canada
- Alberta Class 5 Driver's Licence
- Less than 7 demerits
- Able to meet medical/physical standards, including:
- Normal color vision
- Visual acuity of 20/40 combined, uncorrected
- No more than 30 decibels hearing loss in either ear
- Satisfactory physical fitness assessment (to be conducted by the department on selected applicants)
Sucessful applicants...what to expect...
Applicants selected after completion of the outlined process will be offered a position at the appropriate rural fire station.
Recruit training will occur on evenings and weekends and is mandatory before members become operational and respond to emergencies. This is for both your safety and those members working with you.
Training includes the following sessions:
- Firefighter Safety and Survival
- Fire Behaviour and Science
- Basic Firefighting Techniques
- Structural fires
- Vehicle fires
- Wildland (grass) fires
- Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
- First Aid and CPR
During and after basic training, all members attend regular weekly training nights at their designated station. Currently, this training occurs as follows:
- Station #2, South Cooking Lake - Wednesday evenings; 7 - 9 pm
- Station #3, Ardrossan - Thursday evenings; 7 - 9 pm
Additional training opportunities may arise at various times throughout the year, including weekends.
Part-time Firefighter/First Responders continue to live and work in their communities and are provided with a pager. When emergency calls are received, the pager activates and any available Firefighter/First Responder is expected to respond to the fire station to receive an assignment.
Part-time Firefighter/First Responders are compensated at an hourly rate whenever they attend a scheduled training session or respond to an emergency.
Questions?
780-467-5216
emergencyservices@strathcona.ab.ca
Last updated: Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Page ID: 2383