Fire Prevention

The Fire Prevention Division of Toronto Fire Services (TFS) meets the day-to-day challenges of providing fire inspection services, building plan approvals, building retrofit, fire code compliance and complaint inspections across the City of Toronto.

Fire Prevention Inspectors are committed to ensuring the safety of the public as their primary focus, by reducing the potential of fire in the built environment. The work carried out by our fire protection engineer and fire plans examinations staff, as well as our inspections staff, is vital in ensuring that all structures built in the city are in compliance with the Ontario Building and Ontario Fire Codes.

Reporting to the Fire Prevention Station Officer, responsibilities for this position include the following:

  • Conducts fire and life safety inspections, pursuant to the powers prescribed in the Fire Protection and Prevention Act on all types of building
  • Address Fire Code violations and fire safety hazards within the authority of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act and applicable regulations and Fire Marshall directives
  • Complies with all directives issued by the Ontario Fire Marshal
  • Conducts fire inspections pursuant to the limitations set out in the delegation of the Fire Chief and pursuant to the powers prescribed in the Fire Protection and Prevention Act
  • Issues Orders pursuant to the Fire Protection and Prevention Act and/or prepares and swears Information’s and Summonses pursuant to the Provincial Offences Act
  • Reads and interprets building plans, blueprints, installation guides, site plans, construction plans and specifications
  • Receives complaints and inspects and tests fire protection equipment and systems
  • Prepares reports and maintains records detailing information about the property, violations observed and actions to be taken
  • Completes detailed notes, prepares written information and provides evidence in Provincial Offences Court, Fire Safety Commission, Coroner’s Inquests and tribunals, criminal/civil proceedings etc
  • Performs public relations activities. Presents seminar on fire prevention and safety to groups and members of the public
  • Delivers education programs related to fire safety when required
  • Reviews and recommends for the approval of Fire Safety Plans
  • Reviews and recommends for the approval of alternative compliance solutions pursuant to Division C of the Ontario Fire Code
  • Performs delegated duties for Chief Fire Official. Exercises all powers as an assistant to the Fire Marshall prescribed in the Fire Protection and Prevention Act
  • Exercises all powers as a Provincial Offences Officer prescribed in the Provincial Offenses Act
    Participates in pre-incident planning
  • Performs administrative activities
  • Demonstrates a commitment to personal and professional development
  • Must be able to follow direction of a senior officer

In addition to the above duties the successful candidates are required to:

  • Continually maintain a high standard of professionalism, integrity, reliability and credibility, which are fundamental requirements for this position
  • Function as an integral member of the City of Toronto workforce to support corporate vision and mission statements
  • Function as an integral member of the Toronto Fire Services workforce to deliver and support Division specific vision and mission statements
  • Function as an integral member of the Toronto Fire Services emergency response team to deliver and support Division specific goals of emergency response and preparedness

Minimum Qualifications

  • 18 years of age or older
  • Legally entitled to work in Canada
  • Must possess a valid Ontario Driver’s License Class “G” and meet the requirements necessary to receive a City Equipment Operator’s license
  • Successful completion of NFPA 1031, Level 1 and 2 from a recognized post-secondary institution prior to the date of application submission. Note: This requirement is temporarily waived until further notice.
  • Successful candidates selected for this position shall be required to complete and pass the Ontario certified NFPA 1031, Level 1 and 2 courses
  • Post-secondary education in Fire Protection Technology, Law and Security, Justice, Criminology or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required
  • Possession of a current and valid minimum Level C, CPR Certificate issued prior to the date of application submission
  • Possession of a current and valid minimum level Standard First Aid Certificate issued by a WSIB approved First Aid Trainer issued no more than 1 year prior to the date of application submission
  • Willingness to work a compressed work week
  • Must possess the ability to walk long distances, bend, crawl and climb ladders/scaffolding while conducting inspections
  • Willingness and ability to work in adverse conditions, including inclement weather
  • Must pass in-house entry level TFS exam on Fire Protection and Prevention Act, Provincial Offences Act, Building Code Act, Ontario Fire Code, Ontario Building Code, related legislation and By-Laws and other related material
  • Knowledge of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, Ontario Fire Code, Provincial Offences Act and related legislation and related By-laws
  • Knowledge in powers and duties of OFMEM Directives, Fire Protection and Prevention Act, OFM Technical and Public Fire Safety Guidelines and related standards and legislation
  • Skills and knowledge in conformance with OFMEM Technical Guideline 01-2012 “Fire Safety Inspections and Enforcement”
  • Must be familiar with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the regulations that apply to this work
  • Ability to work effectively under stressful conditions, including death investigations
  • Oral and written communication skills
  • Report writing ability
  • Problem solving /analytical skills
  • Interpersonal/Interaction skills when dealing with the public, Fire Services staff and all other levels of City personnel
  • Ability to effectively prioritize tasks/demands
  • Ability to work within a team environment
  • Ability to work independently with minimum supervision
  • Takes initiative
  • Ability to work and positively interact within diverse work environment
  • Customer service skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Demonstrated experience or knowledge of the installation or maintenance /design of sprinkler and fire alarm systems
  • Ability to lift/move objects when required
  • Psychometric testing may be required

Assets

  • Experience in Inspections & enforcement of by-laws acts or regulations
  • Expertise or expert knowledge in reading blueprints, installation guidelines, etc.
  • Expertise or expert knowledge in the installation or maintenance/design of sprinkler and fire alarm systems
  • Experience preparing and providing evidence in judicial and quasi-judicial proceedings
  • Expertise or expert knowledge in Public Education
  • Post-Secondary education in Fire Protection Technology
  • Demonstrated experience or knowledge of delivering public education
  • Professional engineer licensed by Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO)
  • Building Code Identification Number (BCIN) for Fire Protection
  • Fall Prevention training
  • NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist
  • Multilingual skills preferred
  • Commitment to personal and professional development and in continuing education through ongoing learning

Assessment of Candidates

May include the pre-screening of candidates, resume reviews, interviews, presentations, tests or exercises, which may be in addition to any listed in this document or in the job posting.

Additional Requirements

Medical Clearance

Prior to being hired, the successful candidate may be required to participate in the following:

  1. Participate in a comprehensive medical examination, and
  2. Receive medical clearance by TFS Chief Medical Officer.

Employee Reference Check Clearance

Prior to being hired, the successful candidate must:

  1. Provide at least three employment references, and
  2. Receive employment reference clearance from TFS.

Criminal Reference Check Clearance

Prior to being hired, the successful candidate must:

  1. Provide a criminal record check from their local Police Service, and
  2. Receive criminal reference check clearance from TFS.
Firefighter Fire Prevention (Public Education)
Job Description
Major Responsibilities:

  • Under the direction of the Command Captain, the Public Educator will perform, but not be limited to the following duties:
  • Utilizes fire loss data in the development and design of appropriate fire safety education programs
  • Utilizes analytics and data in the development and delivery of targeted public education messages
  • Designs and delivers public fire safety education presentations and seminars to a variety of audiences including community groups, dwelling unit owners/residents, elementary school students, seniors, ESL students and workplace employees.
  • Designs and delivers special events, media campaigns and other activities to promote and provide education on fire prevention and safety awareness.
  • Prepares fire safety materials to support program delivery, including lesson plans, PowerPoint presentations, and brochures.
  • ·         Delivers specific, targeted fire safety programs such as The Arson Prevention Program for Children (TAPP-C), Remembering When (seniors), and Learn Not to Burn (elementary students).
  • Utilizes all forms of media to support effective fire safety messaging to the public and undertakes media related activities as required such as interviews (print, radio, television, and social media) and the preparation of media advisories and releases.
  • Supports fire services operations staff in the delivery of the Alarmed for Life and school fire drill programs, station tours, and community events.
  • Engages stakeholders to deliver fire safety education, including Toronto Public Health, Toronto Public Library, Toronto District School Board, National Fire Protection Association and Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council
  • Performs duties within the authority of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act and applicable regulations and Fire Marshal directives

Key Qualifications:

1.    Post-secondary training in fire safety, adult education, early childhood education, a teaching degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

2.    Demonstrated experience in the preparation of presentations, lesson plans and other written and audio-visual materials to support program delivery for a wide range of audiences.

3.    Demonstrated experience in the preparation of media related materials.

4.    Knowledge and understanding of the importance of public education programs that address the areas of highest risk in the community.

5.    Ability to work as part of team and independently (with minimum supervision) to ensure effective delivery of public fire safety education programs.

6.    Excellent oral and written communication skills and public speaking experience.

7.    Ability to work with internal and external stakeholders and interdisciplinary teams in the delivery of public fire safety activities.

8.    Demonstrated knowledge of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, Ontario Fire Code and related standards and legislation.

9.    Excellent interpersonal skills when dealing with the public, fire services and other City divisions.

10. Ability to prioritize tasks and expectations.

11. Must possess a valid Ontario Driver’s License Class ‘G’ and meet the requirements necessary to receive a City Equipment Operator’s License.

 

Please note:

  • As a condition of employment as a Firefighter Fire Prevention (Public Education), selected candidates will be required to provide a satisfactory Police Reference Check (PRC) with vulnerable sector screening.