Volunteer Firefighter (2025)

Quinte West; Quinte West; On-site; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking dedicated firefighters to join their team in a vibrant community. The role involves responding to emergencies, performing rescue operations, and maintaining firefighting equipment. Candidates will engage in public education and training programs, ensuring safety and preparedness in the community. This position offers an opportunity to serve the public while developing skills in a challenging and rewarding environment. If you are passionate about helping others and thrive in high-pressure situations, this role could be the perfect fit for you.

Benefits

Paid Position

Training Programs

Community Engagement Opportunities

Qualifications

• Must have a Secondary School diploma and a valid class G driver's license.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work in high-stress situations.

Responsibilities

• Respond to emergency calls and perform fire ground tactics.
• Conduct fire inspections and deliver public education programs.

Skills

Emotional Intelligence

Problem Solving

Interpersonal Skills

Physical Agility

Teamwork

Communication Skills

Education

Secondary School Diploma

Tools

Firefighting Equipment

Emergency Medical Equipment

Job description

Posted Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 4:00 a.m. | Expires Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at 3:59 a.m.

The City of Quinte West Fire and Emergency Services has a unique blend of volunteer and career firefighters that serve a total area of 500 square kilometres. Our municipality is comprised of seven stations, six of which are volunteer and one composite station. Our Department provides services in the following areas: public education, fire prevention and suppression which includes all fires, vehicle extrication, medical response, fire code enforcement, fire investigations and water/ice rescue. All of our firefighters not only provide these well trained services, but are also involved with local charities and other community events. Our firefighters and fire services are committed, continually meeting the needs of the citizens and visitors to our beautiful community.

Department: Fire and Emergency Services

Reports to: Captain

Purpose and Scope:

A Firefighter is responsible for rapidly, efficiently and safely performing various rescue and emergency services duties under emergency conditions frequently involving considerable hazard. The work includes routine duties related to the maintenance of firefighting vehicles, equipment and fire department facilities, and taking part in public education programs related to fire safety. The Firefighter will also take part in a training program focused on all emergency response duties.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The position will:

• As a member of a platoon and/or station, respond promptly to emergency calls performing fire ground tactics as determined by the incident commander.
• Perform first responder rescue related duties using specialized tools and techniques in emergency situations including, but not limited to: fire alarms, medical first aid, public assistance calls, motor vehicle accidents and extrication, chemical leaks and spills involving hazardous materials (hazmat), confined space entrapment, water and ice rescue (both land and entry based), industrial accidents, incidents removing persons from danger in various forms and station covers.
• Enter hostile or IDLH (immediately dangerous to life or health) environments, wear personal protective equipment including breathing apparatus, deploy equipment and materials while using tools and related devices to mitigate, identify and contain the release of hazardous materials.
• Attend regular training and other courses as directed.
• Work in partnership with paramedics and police as well as other service providers.
• Drive and operate apparatus as assigned.
• Perform maintenance tasks on apparatus, equipment, station facilities and other fire department assets.
• When assigned to fire prevention under direction of an officer, conduct fire inspections, fire investigations, plan review and deliver public education program services, clerical duties and other duties of fire prevention.
• Demonstrate ability to carry out all duties as a member of a team.
• Accept counselling, constructive criticism and corrections.
• Demonstrate competence in the operation of all firefighting, rescue equipment and vehicles.
• Notify Chief Officer(s) and other departmental personnel of all important information regarding emergency calls, vehicle disposition and equipment malfunctions.
• Upgrade and maintain skills, knowledge and physical requirements to perform duties safely.
• Know and work in accordance with the established workplace policies, health and safety policies, operational guidelines, Occupational Health and Safety Act and work in such a way as not to endanger themselves, fellow employees or the public.
• Communicate effectively and possess strong interpersonal skills to deal with members of the public and staff.
• Exercise and maintain a high degree of discretion, tact and confidentiality at all times.
• Provide service delivery with integrity and respect.
• Demonstrate and promote professionalism and integrate values and ethics in personal behaviour and fire department practices.
• Participate in incident debriefing and encourage an environment that is open to positive mental health, peer support and wellbeing.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Note: Above duties are representative of a typical position and are not to be construed as all-inclusive.

Contacts:

The position will have direct contact with:

Internal: Fire and Emergency Services, Planning and Development Services, Public Works and Environmental Services and City Hall Staff.

External: Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management (OFMEM), Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Hydro One, Union Gas, Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), Canadian Transport Emergency Centre (CANUTEC), Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Transportation Ontario.

Education/Specialized Training/Skills:

The position will require:

Must Have:

• A minimum of a Secondary School diploma.
• A minimum of a valid class G driver’s licence, but must be able to obtain and maintain a valid class D driver’s licence with Z endorsement within first year of hire.
• Maintain a satisfactory driving record.
• Have upon hire and maintain a clear Criminal Record check that is acceptable to the employer and a clear Vulnerable Sector Check.
• Agility and strength to engage in work activities that are physical in nature.
• Ability to understand instructions and communicate orally and in writing and be able to communicate with public.
• Ability to react quickly, problem solve and remain calm under duress, strain and stress.
• A high degree of capacity to be aware of, control, and express one's emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically (emotional intelligence).
• A high degree of resilience is needed for the emotional impacts of stressful events as a result of work-related exposure to critical incidents.
• Excellent interpersonal, teamwork, organizational skills, integrity and professionalism.
• Dedicated to lifelong learning.

Nice to Have:

• Fully trained and certified in First Aid, CPR and AED.
• Successful completion of all prescribed Firefighter training programs, courses, classification or examinations.
• Knowledge and experience in building construction, wiring, Building Code, Fire Code, hydraulics and the geography of and the locations of hazardous occupancies in the municipality.
• Considerable knowledge of water supply systems within the Municipality.
• A Mechanical aptitude.
• Previous experience with the operation of all apparatus, equipment and methods used in combating, extinguishing and preventing fires in rescue work or training including emergency medical care, safety precautions and practices and necessary actions for responses to leaks and spills of hazardous materials.

Work Experience:

• No previous work experience is required.

Decision Making:

While specific orders and directions are received from an officer in the normal course of maintenance duties and firefighting, considerable independence of judgment and action is allowed in circumstances of extreme urgency where referral to a superior for instructions is not possible. A periodic review of the work is carried out by an officer in order to maintain and improve the efficiency of the fire department as a whole.

Supervision:

• The position has no direct supervisory responsibility but does play a role in the training and guidance of staff when required.
• Conditions frequently involving considerable hazards and stressful situations.
• Outside work in inclement weather and conditions.
• Required to respond to alarms at any hour of any day.
• Prolonged and arduous work under adverse conditions.

Note: This is a paid position. The probationary rate is $26.75 per hour. Applicants must live or work in Quinte West to be eligible for this position. Please select the station closest to your home or work address on your application. Candidates must apply online with a resume before the posting deadline (June 20, 2025).

Personal information and any supporting material are collected and administered in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). We thank all applicants who apply but advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The City of Quinte West is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes and work environments. We will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 613-392-2841 ext. 1106 or [e-mail] to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated throughout this process. Applicants will be required to consent to the completion of a criminal reference check and the completion of a driver’s abstract, if deemed a requirement of the position.