Firefighter Recruitment Process

A Message from the Recruitment Team 

Thank you for taking the time to consider joining Oshawa Fire Services as a Firefighter.  Built on tradition, yet innovating for the future, we continually work toward being leaders in our field, our Fire Service contributes to the quality of life and safety of our community.

Given our visibility in the community, the vital work we do and the amount of trust the public places on our profession, we expect our staff to act with integrity and demonstrate a strong work ethic. We are looking for employees who strive for excellence, exhibit a selfless sense of duty, and continually look for ways to improve themselves and the department. 

Please review this recruitment guide carefully and familiarize with the process and expectations at each stage. The selection process not only tests your physical and technical skills, it also looks at how your personal values fit with the organization.

The City of Oshawa believes one of the key elements of an engaged and innovative workforce is providing employees with a work environment that is supportive, inclusive and respectful. We want Oshawa Fire Services staff to feel a sense of pride and dedication in the work that we do.

We challenge you to look within yourself to see if you have what it takes to meet the expectations of this career. It is a competitive field, before embarking on the process you should ask yourself the following questions:

• What unique skills can you offer our department?
• What sets you apart from the other candidates?
• Can you work in an environment that follows a strict code of conduct and chain of command?
• Can you work twenty-four hour (24) shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays, and function in an environment where you live and work together in close quarters?
• Can you work in strenuous situations under pressure?

Good luck in the process.

Mission Statement 

"To promote and protect the health and well-being of the community through adaptable and progressive education, prevention, and emergency services." 

Vision Statement 

"To continually pursue and advance a level of professional excellence recognized as the model for the fire service."

Our Values 

• Authenticity
• Courage
• Trust 

General Information

Career firefighters provide emergency response to a wide variety of occurrences including fires, emergency medical calls, motor vehicle accidents, and alarm system activations. Firefighters are also required to respond in three highly specialized areas of expertise:

• Hazardous materials;
• Technical rescue; and
• Ice/water rescue.

Other duties include, but are not limited to, delivering fire safety public education, performing station duties such as tours, cleaning, maintaining grounds, and call-taking and dispatching duties. You are expected to follow Standard Operating Guidelines and directions to complete tasks as assigned. Maintaining both physical and mental wellness is a key in fulfilling your job requirements.

As a firefighter you will receive extensive and continuous in-service training. This education not only provides knowledge of the latest developments in firefighting and rescue techniques but also covers a wide array of topics such as emergency communications and dispatch, emergency medical procedures, vehicle extrication, firefighter survival skills and fire prevention legislation. Firefighters also use acquired skills to pass knowledge on to the public, promoting fire prevention and safety awareness.

In addition to frequent contact with the public, firefighters also spend periods of time living and working together. Whether it is sharing routine maintenance chores or providing back up at the scene of an emergency, firefighters must be able to take direction without question and work effectively as members of a team of professionals.

Firefighters are members of the Oshawa Professional Firefighters’ Association, Local 465 of the International Association of Firefighters.

Firefighters currently work a twenty-four (24) hour shift schedule, with an average of seven (7) shifts in a twenty-eight (28) day cycle.