Firefighting As A Career
Firefighting is a very challenging and demanding career. Firefighters need to be able to respond quickly and work effectively as part of a vital team.
Firefighters perform functions in a number of areas, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Firefighting
- Promotion of Fire Prevention and Public Education
- Protecting both the public and the environment from Hazardous Materials concerns
- Emergency medical care through the First Responder program
- Public services
- Post-fire inspections and overhaul
- Performing Auto Extrication at accident scenes
- Participation in a variety of training programs to maintain or upgrade the latest firefighting methods and technology
Firefighters encounter many challenges in fighting fires such as identifying the source of the fire, using appropriate suppression techniques and search and rescue of victims.
Firefighting is very physically demanding work and involves hauling heavy equipment, ascending and descending on ground extension ladders and fire escapes, working in extreme heat and smoke and working in confined spaces with limited vision.
Firefighting is also very mentally demanding and requires constant and ever-expanding knowledge for department personnel. Experience with West Kelowna Fire Rescue ranges from the newest recruit to firefighters with over 30 years of service.
Paid On-Call Firefighter Recruitment
West Kelowna Fire Rescue's Paid On-Call hiring competitions are run annually based on department requirements and will be announced by the fire department. Applications will not be accepted on an ongoing basis and will not be kept on record. Applicants must meet all of the required qualifications in order to be considered for the Paid On-Call recruit training program. You must be a resident of the West Kelowna Fire Protection area at the time of application.
Successful applicants will need to successfully complete a physical fitness test, an interview process and personal reference checks including a Criminal Records Check prior to assignment into a training class.
The Paid On-Call recruit training program is an 11 week process comprised of 4 hours on Tuesday evenings and mandatory 10 hours on Saturdays and Sundays, designed to give the necessary skills to be a Paid On-Call member with West Kelowna Fire Rescue. Training topics will cover Emergency Medical First Responder 3 with AED and Spinal, JIBC Basic Firefighter, S100/S130 Wildland Firefighter and JIBC Live Fire 1.
After successful completion of the training and testing, you will be assigned to one of our four stations based on where you reside in the District. You will be required to attend a minimum of 30% of all calls, at least 75% of weekly Tuesday night training, and complete a six month probationary period.
POC Recruitment is now closed. Applications will be accepted again in September 2013.