Please read the following before completing an employment application for firefighter.

The City of Burnaby recruits for firefighters periodically, and application forms are accepted at any time.

If you live in the Lower Mainland, application forms are available to be picked up in person during our business hours of 8:00am to 4:45pm Monday to Friday. We are also open until 8:00pm on Thursdays OR you can download a firefighter application - [PDF 45KB].

A. Career as a Firefighter

In our ever-changing complex, technological world, firefighting is not just another job. It is an employment opportunity that offers a challenging, demanding, exciting and rewarding career for men and women.

Today's firefighter must be a skilled, competent professional able to meet every kind of emergency. Firefighting is a learning process that never ends. Burnaby firefighters undergo continuous in-service training. This ongoing education not only provides knowledge of the latest developments in firefighting and rescue techniques, but also includes such subjects as the control of hazardous materials situations, emergency medical procedures, fire prevention legislation, and fire investigation techniques. The firefighter learns teaching skills in order to educate the public, thereby promoting fire prevention and safety awareness throughout the community.

The job related duties and responsibilities in a firefighting career include the following:

• Fire Suppression
• Fire Prevention
• Inspection
• Public Fire
• Safety Education
• Medical Emergencies
• Managing Hazardous Materials Incidents
• Operation of Fire Apparatus
• Operation of Computers
• Fire Hall and Apparatus Maintenance
• Training Drills
• Building Inspections
• Pre-Fire Planning
• Fire Investigation
• Rescue
• Small Equipment

The Burnaby Fire Department is actively seeking individuals who are physically fit and well coordinated, honest, reliable, motivated, able to work well with others, willing and able to learn and improve, and who demonstrate a deep sense of commitment and responsibility to serving the public.

In addition to frequent contact with the public, firefighters spend extended periods of time together. Whether it's sharing routine maintenance chores at the station or providing back-up at the scene of an emergency, a firefighter must be able to accept orders without questions and work effectively as an essential member of a team of professionals. Firefighters are frequently called upon to use their foresight, training and judgement to rescue others and protect themselves.

B. Required Qualifications

(Please ensure you meet all the required qualifications before completing the application form.)

Applicants must meet ALL OF THE REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR AN INTERVIEW:

1. Canadian Citizenship or Landed Immigrant status (include copy of birth certificate or other proof of entitlement to work in Canada, i.e. Passport)
2. High School Graduation or Equivalent (include copy of diploma)
3. Valid BC Class 3 Driver's Licence with air brake endorsement, without restrictions and a good driving record. More than six (6) points in the last three (3) years is considered excessive (include copy of licence and driver's abstract available from the Motor Vehicle Branch - Licence Office)
4. No conviction of a relevant criminal offense for which a pardon has not been granted (completion of criminal record search not required at time of application)
5. First aid training within the past three years (include copy of certificate)
6. Physically fit and able to complete a Physical Abilities Test.
7. Two (2) years work experience.

C. Recommended Qualifications

(proof of completion required)

1. Higher level of first aid training (include copy of certificate)
2. Aquatic experience and/or training (include copy of certificate)
3. Building construction training or experience, mechanical training or experience or heavy equipment operation training or experience
4. Post secondary education, training, apprenticeship (include copy of certificate, diploma, degree)
5. Fire service related courses/National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001 (Firefighter I and II) Certification (include copies of certificates/proof of completion)
6. Training and/or experience using computer software

D. Recruitment Process

The following is a basic outline of the recruitment process. Additional data may be collected and evaluated.

Step 1: Application Review

Applications are reviewed based on qualifications.

Step 2: Pre-Screening Interview for the Orientation Program

Short-listed applicants are invited to a pre-screening interview.

Step 3: Successful completion of Criminal Record Search

Step 4: Orientation Program

Subsequent to the pre-screening interview, a group of applicants is identified to proceed to the Orientation Program.

** Prior to proceeding to the Orientation Program, applicants must provide medical clearance for the Physical Abilities Test (P.A.T.)

The Orientation Program is completed over an eight (8) day period. Days #1 and #2 are scheduled on consecutive weekends and focus on an introduction to the Burnaby Fire Department and exposure to basic firefighting techniques. 

Days #3 to #6 comprise the Ride-Along portion of the Orientation Program.  During these four (4) days, participants report to the fire stations.  They are exposed to firefighting duties and techniques as determined by the Officer in Charge.

Day  #7 is the P.A.T. walkthrough and the exam based on the Participant Program Manual.

Day #8 is the P.A.T.

Upon successful completion of the Orientation Program, participants will move on to the final steps listed below.

Final Steps

• Fire Chief's Interview
• Updated Driver's Abstract
• Successful completion of Criminal Record Search
• Successful completion of Medical Examination
• Successful completion of Reference Checking
• Successful completion of Criminal Record Search

Please note you may be released at any time during the Recruitment Process.

ONLY THOSE APPLICANTS BEING CONSIDERED FOR AN INTERVIEW WILL BE CONTACTED