Firefighter Recruitment
Probationary Firefighers Application is now closed.
As a Paid On-Call firefighter you play a vital role in protecting Olds by responding to emergencies, promoting fire safety, engaging in community outreach and education programs, and contributing to the overall well-being of the community. You will respond to various emergencies, including but not limited to fires, medical incidents, rescues, and hazardous material incidents within the Town of Olds Fire District. From time to time, you will respond into other fire areas as requested. You will control and extinguish fires, provide first aid, and assist with other emergencies.
As a member of the department, you will participate in training and development towards professional qualifications for a firefighter as set out by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Some areas of training will be use of self-contained breathing apparatus, search & rescue, ropes & knots, radio communications, basic pump operations, working from hydrants, hose laying, hose loading, operation and selection of nozzles, driving, ventilation, structure suppression, fire prevention, overhaul, ladders, salvage, foam, extinguishers, dealing with flammable products and many more. The training is an ongoing process, and you should be continually learning for as long as you are involved with the fire department. Application intake is open until January 5, 2025.
To join the Olds Fire Department, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:
- Must be at least 18 years old; physically fit
- Live or work within the Olds Fire District
- Eligibility to work in Canada
- Must demonstrate complete fluency in English
- Have a valid Class 5 driver’s license or provincial/territorial equivalent without a Graduated Drivers’s License (GDL) status and with less than 7 demerit points
- Must provide a clean driver’s abstract
- Produce a clean vulnerable sector criminal records check
- Must not have a criminal record or must possess an official pardon from a judge with no outstanding obligation under the judicial system
- Must be in good medical health (medical clearance required)
- Willing to take ongoing fire training courses
- Strong verbal communication skills
- Must be able to maintain minimum attendance standards as per department policy
You do not need these qualifications to apply, however, they will strengthen your application:
- Hold recognized certificates for firefighter courses
- Hold a valid First Aid or higher medical responder certificate
- Have an air brake endorsement certificate
- Have a Class 3 or better driver's license
Recruitment Process
Step One: Online Application
Fill out the online application and ensure that you meet all the minimum requirements before applying.
Step Two: Panel Interview
You will be contacted to participate in an in-person interview with a panel of Olds Fire Department Officers.
Step Three: Physical Demand Testing
You will participate in six events that demand a typical physical component that displays the normal activity of a firefighter while on duty during an emergency response. Along with the physical portion, memory, and basic recall of information and/or orders given during these events will be tested.
See the Olds Fire Department's Physical Demands Testing requirements
Step Four: Probationary Firefighter Job Offer
If you have successfully completed the Panel Interview, Physical Demand Testing, and have a clean reference check you will receive a Probationary Firefighter Job Offer. This offer will outline the roles and responsibilities of a Probationary Firefighter and will include the 18-week training schedule. This probationary position will remain in place for one year.