Firefighter

The Opportunity

Barrie Fire and Emergency Service (BFES) is a team of dedicated professionals delivering a vast array of emergency services to the citizens, business and visitors to Barrie. Originally organized in 1844, BFES has become one of the most respected fire services in Ontario, providing high-level service in: fire inspection/code enforcement, fire protection, technical rescue, training, communications, origin and cause investigations, and emergency management planning.

Working within the Barrie Fire and Emergency Service Department, you will be part of a dynamic team responsible for protecting the lives, well-being and property of the people of Barrie through dedication to life safety, commitment to community service and the preservation of the environment.

Located at one of the City’s six fire stations, you will be responsible for responding to fires, fire alarms, technical rescues, hazardous material incidents, medical emergencies, marine incidents and other emergencies. As a frontline member of the Barrie Fire and Emergency Services Department, you will play an integral role delivering fire protection services through public education, fire safety standards and enforcement, and emergency response.

Our Culture and Qualifications of the Job

Corporate Culture: Your workplace values align with our corporate values of Strive, Share and Care and you want to join us in providing exceptional services and programs to build a prosperous, growing and sustainable community. Equally important to what we do is how we do it - your actions reflect our core accountabilities of Personal Awareness, Teamwork and Collaboration, Respect and Inclusion, Innovation, and Service Excellence, which define how we work together to succeed.

Minimum Qualifications

• 18 years of age or older
• Legally entitled to work in Canada
• Ontario Secondary School Diploma or academic equivalent
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001 Firefighter Level I and II certified from an accredited program from a recognized institution, accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) or the Pro Board
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 472 Hazardous Materials Awareness certified from an accredited program from a recognized institution, accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) or the Pro Board, or equivalent
• Completion of Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) course

Conditions of Employment

• Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check
  • A Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check, at the candidate’s expense, are required to be submitted upon receipt of a conditional employment offer. These checks must be completed no more than 30 days before the offer. Employment offers will only be extended if the results of the checks, conducted in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, are deemed satisfactory.
• Pre-Placement Medical and Psychological Requirements
  • Candidates recommended for employment must undergo a pre-employment medical and psychological examination conducted by a medical practitioner designated by the City of Barrie. The examination must confirm the candidate’s good health, as determined by the examining practitioner.
• Ontario Fire Administration Inc. (OFAI) Testing
  • Candidates must successfully complete the Ontario Fire Administration Inc. (OFAI) Candidate Testing Services, including Stage One, Stage Two, Stage Three, and the Swim Test, with certificates valid by March 31, 2025. For further details, visit www.ofai.ca.
• Valid Ontario Class "D" Driver's Licence
  • Candidates must possess a valid, unrestricted Ontario Class "D" Driver’s Licence with a "Z" endorsement at the time of the conditional employment offer. A driver’s abstract, dated within 30 days of the offer, will also be required. The abstract must reflect a responsible and safe driving history, with candidates holding six or more demerit points being ineligible. Please do not submit proof of your driver’s licence or abstract with your application.

Knowledge/Skill/Ability

• General knowledge of the following legislation, regulations, or requirements:
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA);
  • Ontario Building Code Act (OBCA);
  • Ontario Fire Code
• Skills and knowledge obtained in a field closely related to emergency services, including dispatch services, firefighter, paramedic, police, military, construction, skilled trades, and/or heavy equipment operations would be an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to:
  • Maintain a high standard of public relations at all times
  • Perform in a manner which is consistent with corporate goals, vision, mission, and values
  • Work collaboratively in a group setting to achieve a desired objective, goal, or outcome
  • Shift back and forth between multiple activities while maintaining concentration
  • Exercise discretion and judgment when handling confidential, sensitive, and controversial information
  • Deal with difficult customers; diffuse emotionally charged situations; and resolve customer issues in a diplomatic and professional manner
  • Exercise discretion and judgment in order to make sound decision under tight timelines or while managing multiple or conflicting priorities
  • Verbally communicate information and ideas in a manner that can be understood by others
  • Exert effort to lift, push, pull, or carry objects for long periods of time
  • Run, operate, maneuver, navigate, or drive vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Intermediate organizational, time management, administrative and written communications skills
• Intermediate analytical, problem solving, judgment, customer service, interpersonal, verbal communication, teamwork and leadership skills.
• Basic computer literacy utilizing Microsoft Office Suite (Access, Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint)

Other Important Information

• Location: Located at one of the City’s six fire stations:
  • Station #1, 155 Dunlop Street West, Barrie, Ontario
  • Station #2, 15 Bell Farm Road, Barrie, Ontario
  • Station #3, 340 Big Bay Point Road, Barrie, Ontario
  • Station #4, 250 Ardagh Road, Barrie, Ontario
  • Station #5, 360 King Street, Barrie, Ontario
  • Station #6, 845 Mapleview Drive East, Barrie, Ontario (opening Fall 2025)
• Hours: Ability to work a 24-hour shift. The hours of work are an average of forty-two (42) hours per week, in accordance with the Collective Agreement.
• Wage: This position is within the BPFFA Bargaining Unit with the following salary (2023 rate):
  • Yearly Salary: $65,471
  • Hourly Pay Rate: $29.87
• What We Offer: This position includes a comprehensive union (BPFFA) benefit plan, including but not limited to extended health and dental coverage, life and accident insurance, paid vacation, sick leave plan, OMERS pension plan, discounted rate for City Fitness Memberships, and much more.

To Apply:

• Click on the "Apply Now" button at the top or bottom of this page to access the online application system.
• Upload your resume, cover letter and answer the job application questions.
• Do not submit any additional documents with your application, they will not be viewed.
• Emailed applications will not be considered.

Firefighter recruitments attract a high volume of applicants, and as a result, the City is unable to provide individual feedback during the recruitment process. Please do not call the City, Human Resources, or Barrie Fire and Emergency Service. If you have further questions after reviewing the information posted on the City of Barrie Firefighter Recruitment webpage, please direct your inquiry via email to HR.Recruitment@barrie.ca.

Why Barrie?

The City of Barrie is a vibrant, progressive, and growing community with deep connections to our heritage, to nature and to the opportunities surrounding us. Our community values quality of life; the ability to play year-round with 300 hectares of park space, our beautiful waterfront, our lively downtown core and the nearby hills, wetlands, and forests. We also value connections; to our neighbours and the community, to our road and rail network, and to the opportunity Barrie provides to enjoy life.

Everything Barrie has to offer, from the water we drink to the roads we travel on, has one thing in common - municipal workers. Joining a municipality is one of the most rewarding, engaging, and exciting careers you could choose. It is a career you can take pride in knowing that every day you make a positive impact on an entire community. We are one team, with one goal and we all work together to continue making our community great.