How to Become a Firefighter
If you plan on becoming a firefighter in Canada, it can prove to be difficult, expensive and time consuming. It requires education, community involvement, many hours of training and dedication, peak physical fitness and most of all a strong desire to help others. It is also a very competitive career pathway. Often times you are competing against many candidates, so the more you have done to prepare, the more competitive you will be when applying for positions.
Pre-Application Requirements
The following are the required qualifications for Firefighter applicants in Saskatchewan cities:
• 18 years of age or older
• Minimum of Grade 12 education or equivalent
• Possession of a certificate in Public Fire Protection from a school accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) and/or ProBoard. The specific Public Fire Protection Course Requirements are:
o NFPA 1001, Fire Fighting Practices Level I and II
o NFPA 1002, Apparatus Driver / Operator (Pumper)
o NFPA 1031, Fire Inspection Level 1 (preferred)
o NFPA 1041, Fire Service Instructor Level 1 o NFPA 472 OR NFPA 1072 Hazardous Materials (Operations Levels)
• Listed as a Practicing Unrestricted Primary Care Paramedic at the 2011 National Occupational Competency Profile (NOCP) level on the most current members roster of the Saskatchewan College of Paramedics (preferred).
or
• Certified as either a Medical First Responder or Certified Emergency Medical Responder.
• Current ITLS certificate.
• Possession of a valid Saskatchewan Class 5 Driver’s License or equivalent from other provinces.
• Current drivers abstract demonstrating a safe driving record.
Please check out this pdf created by Suncrest College that outlines job requirements for applying to become a firefighter in the cities of Saskatoon and Regina - Regina and Saskatoon Firefighter Requirements
Listed below are Firefighter and Medical Emergency training programs in Saskatchewan. Click on the links to learn more:
Firefighter NFPA Standard 1001- Suncrest College
Primary Care Paramedic Program- Sask Polytech
Primary Care Paramedic Program- Suncrest College
Emergency Medical Responder Program- Suncrest College
For more information visit the Job Bank weblink below:
Paramedic Programs
Paramedics have a rewarding career with an expanding range of job opportunities—and Saskatchewan's Paramedic programs will get you started.
Primary Care Paramedic is a one-year certificate program offered through Saskatchewan Polytechnic Saskatoon campus and Saskatchewan Polytechnic Regina campus, and in partnership with regional colleges. Saskatchewan Polytechnic also offers the Advanced Care Paramedic program. Our program emphasizes authentic hands-on training in prehospital emergency care, with both hospital and ambulance practicums.
As a paramedic, you’ll find your skills in demand by ambulance, air ambulance and fire protection services around the province. You’ll also find job opportunities in the military, at mine sites, and at industrial manufacturing, milling and processing sites.
For more information about career opportunities, contact Student Employment Services at the Saskatchewan Polytechnic campus nearest you or check out the Saskatchewan College of Paramedics job postings.
Please note that the SHA has many bursary opportunities for students training to be a paramedic and planning to work in Saskatchewan after training. Please visit Paramedic Training Bursaries | SaskHealthAuthority to learn more.
Paramedic and Related Programs in Saskatchewan:
Primary Care Paramedic (saskpolytech.ca)
Advanced Care Paramedic (saskpolytech.ca)