Careers

Firefighting As A Career

Firefighting is a very challenging and demanding career. Firefighters need to be able to respond quickly and work effectively as part of a vital team.

Firefighters perform functions in a number of areas, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Firefighting
• Promotion of Fire Prevention and Public Education
• Protecting both the public and the environment from Hazardous Materials concerns
• Emergency medical care through the First Responder program
• Public services
• Post-fire inspections and overhaul
• Performing Auto Extrication at accident scenes
• Participation in a variety of training programs to maintain or upgrade the latest firefighting methods and technology

Firefighters encounter many challenges in fighting fires such as identifying the source of the fire, using appropriate suppression techniques and search and rescue of victims.

Firefighting is very physically demanding work and involves hauling heavy equipment, ascending and descending on ground extension ladders and fire escapes, working in extreme heat and smoke and working in confined spaces with limited vision.

Firefighting is also very mentally demanding and requires constant and ever-expanding knowledge for department personnel. Experience with West Kelowna Fire Rescue ranges from the newest recruit to firefighters with over 30 years of service.

Paid On-Call Firefighter Recruitment

West Kelowna Fire Rescue's Paid On-Call hiring competitions will run annually and will be announced by the fire department. Applications will not be accepted on an ongoing basis and will not be kept on record.  Applicants must meet all of the required qualifications in order to be considered for the Paid On-Call recruit training program.

Required Qualifications:

• Canadian Citizenship or Landed Immigrant Status (including a copy of birth certificate or other proof of entitlement to work in Canada).
• Proven High School Graduation or equivalent.
• Minimum age requirement: 18 years old.
• Consent for a Criminal Record Search.
• Proven B.C. Class 5 drivers license without restrictions plus a good driving record; no more than 6 points and no prohibitions or suspensions. Must present a drivers abstract.
• Physically fit and able to complete a physical performance assessment.
• Ability to communicate effectively both written and verbally.
• Must be a resident of the West Kelowna Fire Protection area.

• Completed application form
• Current criminal record check
• Current drivers abstract; no more than 6 points and no prohibitions or suspensions 
• Current medical clearance form
• Current resume

Successful applicants will have to successfully complete an interview, a physical test and personal reference checks prior to assignment into a training class.  

The Paid On-Call recruit training program is a 9 week process comprised of 4 hours on Tuesday evenings and 9 hours on Saturdays and Sundays, designed to give you the necessary skills to be a Paid On-Call member with West Kelowna Fire Rescue. Training topics will cover Emergency Medical First Responder 3 with AED and Spinal, JIBC Basic Firefighter, S100/S130 Wildland Firefighter and JIBC Live Fire 1.

After successful completion you would be assigned to one of our four stations based on where you are living. You will be required to attend a minimum of 30% of all calls and at least 75% of weekly Tuesday night training.

For more information, please contact our Administrative Assistant Laura MacLeod at 769-1640 Ext. 4 or laura.macleod@districtofwestkelowna.ca.

Download

• Click here for the Paid-on-Call Application Form and additional information page [PDF].
• Click here for a copy of the Physical Fitness Test Doctor Consent Form [PDF].