Operations Firefighter

What to Expect

What can you expect from a career as an Operations Firefighter?

• You’ll have both a challenging and rewarding career.
• You’ll be expected to maintain a high standard of professionalism, solve problems, work as part of a dynamic team and possess excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
• You’ll work an assigned shifts averaging 42 hours per week over a four week period, including weekends and holidays.
• You’ll be expected to be physically fit to handle the sustained, intense, physical effort often required to perform these duties.
• You’ll be required to work at heights, inside confined spaces and to wear and use supplied safety equipment.
• You’ll live and work in close quarters will your colleagues throughout your shifts. This means all team members are responsible for station housekeeping and depend on each other to perform their duties successfully whether sharing routine tasks at the fire station, providing services at an emergency scene, or providing service assistance to other emergency agencies and/or the public.
• You’ll be a member of the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association, Local 3888, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and will be subject to the provisions and requirements of the collective agreement.

Job Description

Reporting to the Apparatus Captain, the responsibilities for this position include the following:

Emergency Duties

• Immediately responds in a timely fashion and deals with fire, medical, rescue and other emergency and non-emergency related calls as required.
• Performs all emergency scene duties assigned such as but not limited to, firefighting, forcible entry, search and rescue, carrying hoses, climbing ladders, hooking hoses up to hydrants, breaking through walls and ceilings, protecting those in danger due to a fire, overhaul, technical rescues, emergency medical treatment and CPR hazardous materials scene support, property conservation, environmental conservation, and secures emergency scene for the safety of the public and other Firefighters.
• Drives/operates any apparatus/vehicles in accordance with policy and Highway Traffic Act (HTA).
• Operates all equipment utilized by TFS such as pumps, hoses, manual ladders, mechanical ladder, generators, automobile extrication equipment, etc.
• Conducts inspections and helps ensure an emergency scene is in compliance with fire/life safety guidelines, prior to leaving the scene.
• After returning from emergency scene cleans, inspects, and accounts for all equipment used and returns all equipment used to a state of readiness.
• A team player who works effectively with their crew and with other first responders, such as police and paramedics, maintaining a high standard of professionalism.

Non–Emergency & Administrative Duties

• Cleans, inspects and maintains equipment and apparatus on a daily basis.
• Conducts full maintenance/safety check of vehicles and equipment.
• Performs routine preventative maintenance tasks to equipment and apparatus.
• Keeps fire station, equipment, quarters and grounds clean and orderly on a daily basis.
• Completes all required training and retraining as assigned within the prescribed time periods indicated.
• Participates in preplanning to familiarize themselves with immediate response area and new or unusual buildings in the station’s district, and with streets and roads under construction.
• Educates the public about fire prevention and fire safety practices.
• Participates in Pre-Incident Fire Planning.
• Conducts fire safety inspections.

General Responsibilities

• Must understand and follow the Chain of Command at all times.
• Must be in compliance with uniform SOGs including being well-groomed, professional and presentable to the public.
• Must be, at all times, psychologically and physically prepared to respond to emergencies of any kind.
• Must be able to work at heights or in a confined space as required.
• Wears supplied safety equipment and uniforms.
• Must be accepting of other differences and able to live and collaborate with other firefighters in close quarters throughout shifts, where firefighters depend and trust each other to perform their duties successfully whether it be sharing routine tasks at the fire station, or providing services at an emergency scene.
• Performs all work duties and activities in a safe and effective manner in accordance with City and TFS policies and procedures.
• Must be able to follow direction of a senior officer.

Additional Duties & Responsibilities

• 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 Service workforce to deliver and support Division specific vision and mission statements.
• Function as an integral member of the Toronto Fire Service emergency response team to deliver and support Division specific goals of emergency response and preparedness.

Minimum Qualifications & Assets

Applicants are required to demonstrate they meet all the minimum qualifications throughout the recruitment process. Applicant’s resumes need to accurately demonstrate that they need to have all of the certifications, skills and competencies outlined below in order to be selected.

Key Certifications

• Must possess valid Ontario Driver’s Licence class D or higher (A, B or C) with a Z endorsement
• Successful completion of all stages (1-3) of the OFAI Candidate Testing Services (as verified by possession of a current and valid CTS Certificate) prior to the date of application submission
• Successful completion of the OFAI Swim Test (as verified by possession of a current and valid certificate) 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 prior to the date of application submission
• Possession of a current and valid minimum level CPR BLS/HCP Certificate or higher (e.g., EMR) issued prior to the date of application submission
• Successful completion of NFPA 1001 Level 1 & 2 prior to the date of application submission. The above NFPA 1001 Level 1 & 2 training must be secured from a post-secondary institution, in Ontario, (with either IFSAC or ProBoard seal) that is accredited to provide the above training to others as recognized by the Office of the Fire Marshall (OFM), Ontario, Canada or any institution outside of Ontario, Canada, officially accredited by either IFSAC or ProBoard. Candidates are strongly advised to confirm that the post-secondary institution they wish to attend, in Ontario, to secure the above NPFA 1001 training is recognized by the OFM and is accredited to provide such training. If the institution, in Ontario, you are attending is not recognized by the OFM to provide the above training to others, neither will it be recognized by Toronto Fire Services (TFS), in which case your application will not be considered for this posting.

Additional Minimum Qualifications

• Must work on a 24-hour shift schedule that involves working weekends and holidays, where you will work an assigned shift averaging 42 hours per week over a four-week period
• Must provide a Criminal Record Check obtained from a Police Service in Ontario to the satisfaction of Toronto Fire Services
• Must be fit and able to handle the sustained, intense physical and psychological effort required to perform duties of this position
• Willingness and ability to work in extremely adverse and dangerous situations
• Mechanical aptitude
• 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
• 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, as appropriate
• Ability to work within a team environment
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision
• Initiative
• Ability to work and positively interact within a diverse work environment
• Community service involvement
• Customer service skills
• Legally entitled to work in Canada
• 18 years of age or older

Assets

• Commitment to volunteerism and community involvement as demonstrated by experience volunteering in social/civil/community events and initiatives, non-profit organizations, counselling, crisis intervention
• Commitment to personal and professional development and in continuing training and education through ongoing learning
• Training and Experience operating heavy vehicles (for example: trucks, tractor trailers, buses)
• Military and/or Health Care experience
• Demonstrated experience dealing with diverse communities
• Demonstrated commitment to a healthy lifestyle
• Multilingual skills preferred

Recruitment & Selection Process

Prior to applying for a position as an Operations Firefighter, applicants must ensure that they meet every minimum qualification listed for the position. In order to apply, start by viewing the list of Fires Services positions currently open and choose “Apply now” to begin the process. Once you have applied, find out more about next steps and what to expect at recruitment events below.

Stage 1: Screening of Applications

• Applications are screened based on the minimum qualifications and assets of the posted position to determine which applicants will be considered for an interview.

Stage 2: Verification of Required Documents

• Upon request, applicants must submit all required documents to confirm their eligibility to be considered further. Applicants will be required to submit e-copies of all original documents. We require PDF formats for the submission of documents.
• If an applicant’s documents are not received on time or are not valid, they shall cease to be considered for the position to which they applied.

Stage 3: Panel Interview

• Applicants who are selected for further consideration will be invited to participate in a panel interview to assess their skills, abilities, traits and competencies for the position that they are applying to.
• At the panel interview, applicants will be required to identify themselves using government issued photo identification (driver’s licence, passport, or military ID).
• Applicants will also be required to complete a declaration form advising as to whether they know any of the members of the interview panel, prior to the commencement of the panel interview.
  • Note: Having a relative working for Toronto Fire Services does not disqualify an applicant from the recruitment process. However, in accordance with Toronto Fire Services policy, restrictions may exist with respect to where the applicant can be assigned or placed within Toronto Fire Services, should they be offered employment.
• Following completion of the panel interview process, the most qualified applicants will be selected for conditional job offers with Toronto Fire Services. Only those applicants who are selected for conditional job offer will proceed to Stage 4.

Stage 4: Post Interview Clearance

• Applicants who are selected for a conditional job offer must receive clearance by Toronto Fire Services with respect to the following:
• Medical Clearance: Participate in a comprehensive medical examination conducted by the Chief Medical Officer for Toronto Fire Services and receive medical clearance by same.
• Criminal Record Check Clearance: Provide an original Criminal Record Check document, obtained from your local Police Service, and receive criminal record check clearance from Toronto Fire Services.
• Employment Reference Check Clearance: Provide three employment references from previous supervisors and receive employment reference clearance from Toronto Fire Services.
• Ontario Driver’s Licence: Provide proof of a valid and current Ontario Driver’s Licence at the level required the position.
• Ontario Driver’s Abstract: Provide a recent Ontario Drivers Abstract deemed acceptable by Toronto Fire Services.

The City reserves the right to request additional documents and eligibility of an applicant at any time.

Stage 5: Job Offer Extended

• Applicants who have successfully completed the above stages will be extended a firm written job offer.