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All Things CF Firefighter (merged)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Stephanie
  • Start date Start date
some good info,

I am a CIC officer now, but have always thought about the FF trade.  I currently hold a diploma in Fire Science Technology (as i am trying to get into civi Dept's and agencies) with several NFPA and a HAZMAT OPS qual.  Any chance i would get credit for that in the reg force ?

thanks

PV
 
Those quals would definately help you out with the recruiting competition to get into the trade but I'm pretty sure you wouldn't get a waver on any of the training courses. Alot of guys that were on my 3's had NFPA seals from previous training(that they paid for themselves) and they were required to go through all the courses.

At the end of your 5s you recieve the following NFPA seals:FF Lvl 1, Lvl 2, Fire Apparatus driver, airport FF, Hazmat up to the technition level.

If your a commisioned reserve member with a diploma in fire sciences, you might be interested in an exchange program the forces has with the university of maryland and the university of NB. - two positions are open every year for members of the forces to take a four year program in fire engineering. From what I hear they almost never fill both positions due to lack of qualified applicants. Now, I'm not sure what the criteria is to get accepted, you may even have to be a serving member of the fire trade, but it might be something to ask a recruiter about.
 
Awesome,

Thanks for the help.  So it is a very competitive trade then ? as i guess with any Fire Dept. do a lot of people transfer into the trade or do you get a lot of people straight from CFRC ? Also what would a CF firefighter do with a degree ? are their such thing as commisioned officers in the FF trade ? perhaps in a Chief role etc.


PV

 
im currently in the reserves and i want to switch to reg force and get training to become a firefighter in the force... anybody know anything about it? how long? what u do? what conditions you work under? where u train? any stuff like that? do's - don'ts? thanks,

PTE Bender
 
From the Recruiting Website:

Qualification Requirements:

FIRE FTRs must be physically strong and able to sustain physical effort for extended periods of time. They must be courageous, self-disciplined, and able to remain calm under stress. They require good reasoning skills, hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity. They must also be able to function well as a member of a team.

Training (After BMQ):

On completion of BMQ, Fire Fighters attend Basic Military Occupational (MOC) training. The first portion of Basic MOC training is Basic Driver Training at the Canadian Forces School of Administration and Logistics (CFSAL) in Borden, Ontario. Training takes approximately 14 weeks. The second portion of Basic MOC Training takes place at the Canadian Forces Fire Academy (CFFA) in Borden and includes:

  Operation of fire apparatus

  Structural operations at the site of a fire

  Fire and life safety practices

  Aircraft rescue fire fighting operations

  Rescue during situations presenting special problems

  Operation of portable fire extinguishers

  Operation of fire apparatus ancillary equipment

  Wildland operations at the site of a fire

  Map reading

  Achieving and maintaining physical fitness standards

  Hazardous Material Awareness

Note: The International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC), supported by Oklahoma State University, has recognized the Canadian Forces Fire Academy for its excellence in training and has awarded the Academy 23 Levels of Accreditation.

The FIRE FTR must have a valid civilian driver's licence

Career Development:

The career of a Fire Fighter offers a variety of challenging opportunities. Fire Fighters serve with the Canadian Forces in Canada, onboard ship and in peacekeeping deployments. Personnel who demonstrate the required ability and ambition have the opportunity to progress to the position of Fire Chief.

Working Environment:

Fire Fighters provide fire protection 24 hours a day on a rotational basis and are therefore provided with such necessities as classrooms and a physical fitness training room. Operations and maintenance of the Fire Department is normally based on a four platoon system, in addition to a day staff that includes the Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief and Inspectors. In order to respond to emergencies, Fire Fighters must function in all types of weather conditions and in dangerous situations. They are sometimes subjected to long hours of work and acute fatigue. The Fire Fighter's working environment changes after the initial four years in a Fire Department. At that point in his or her career, the Fire Fighter must spend approximately three years as a Corporal, onboard HMC ships. During their career, FIRE FTRs will normally serve three tours in a naval environment. Appropriate training, environmental clothing and equipment are provided, and Fire Fighters' health, safety and morale are closely monitored.
 
Fire Fighter is a Reg Force Air Force trade and you will belong to the Engineer Corps.


Chimo!
 
True it is now an Air Force trade, but at one point in time when we had Air Craft Carriers, there was also the ability to be a Fire Fighter who wore the Naval uniform. Actually, there is a PO1 Fire Fighter in Shearwater who still wears the Naval Uniform and holds the rank of PO1 instead of WO.

There are Reservist Fire Fighters around, although not that many. You would only see them on bases/stations with air fields and I think they must be qualified as a Civilian Fire Fighter to join. I don't believe that a Volunteer Fire Fighter would be able to join the trade... That would be a ? for the recruiters.

 
You would only see them on bases/stations with air fields and I think they must be qualified as a Civilian Fire Fighter to join. I don't believe that a Volunteer Fire Fighter would be able to join the trade... That would be a ? for the recruiters.

Depending very much on the certification system in the province he comes from, a volunteer firefighter likely IS a qualified civilian fire fighter, or he cannot work. He is usually less broadly trained than the full time FF, but he still has to be properly trained. VFFs face the same threats as full time departments, usually with a lot less resources. Fire is fire, hazmat is hazmat. What is likely missing from the training of both the full time civ FF and the VFF is the module of airfield crash fire rescue. Most FDs in Canada do not operate their own CFR units-this is left to the employees of the local airport or to Transport Canada (exceptions like Calgary...). A VFF would, it seems to me, be a better candidate (all other factors being equal...) than a person who had no fire service experience at all.

Cheers
 
would fire fighting be a worth while trade to get into? i figure ill stay reserves for 2 years stay around my home town see what else is left for me here... then head off to reg force for firefighting...
 
I'm a little biased here but firefighting is a great trade to get into. I'm trying my luck with the city departments right now until I hear back from the army, who knows what'll happen with that. But it's a great career choice and there's always a need for firefighters. I doubt that helped you but navalsnipr posted what I was going to. Lol. 
 
I have my 1001 and 1002 quals and was informed that your civi firefighting quals will not garner you ANY standing with the recruitment process for FF in the military. TOld that by the recruiter.

I know several reserve FF's and they did not have to be qualified in ff before joining. After they joined they were sent to borden to attend their 3's.
 
Not to switch you off from pursuing your dreams, but I was told by the recruiter that they only train 15-30 new firefighters every 1 or 2 years and that the wait to get on a course is very long - 1+ years.
 
P-Free said:
Not to switch you off from pursuing your dreams, but I was told by the recruiter that they only train 15-30 new firefighters every 1 or 2 years and that the wait to get on a course is very long - 1+ years.
They are running 3 to 4 course a year for the last 3 years.
 
Hey To all who would like some info about Military fire fighters!!!

I am a military Firefighter in Trenton. So let me clear somethings up here for you. In the military. being a fire fighter is the best kept secret in the Forces. 
First of all yes we are an Air force trade. It once was a navy trade ( not because in WWII we had an aircraft carrier but the fact that all sailors are firefighters on ships) yes there is only one PO left in our trade he got to say navy when the trade changed over, I believe he is retired now or retiring soon. anyway The Canadian Forces Fire Academy is in CFB Borden Ontario.  The Academy is Accredited entity through IFSAC and supported by Oklahoma State University. Our apprentice course is 16 weeks long and after we get our NFPA 1001 Fire fighter level 1 seal, and our hazmat awareness level 1 seal. After your apprentice course you would be posted to an Air force base, Bagetville, Shearwater, Greenwood, Trenton, Winnipeg, Cold Lake, Comox, Or the ONLY Army base with military fire fighters CFB Edmonton. ( all army base except Edmonton have DND civilian fire fighters who also train at CFB Borden along side military Fire fighters) There are also Reserve firefighters. Cold lake has some. Once at your base you will go through a QL4 package to finish off apprentice training and get you ready for your QL 5 Journeymans Course. Your QL4 package can take up to 18 months to complete. once on your QL 5 Course which is around 12 weeks you will receive up to 8 seals once you finish the Hazmat Tech course.
Once you have passed you Journeymans course you could stay at your fire hall for a year longer or most likely you will be posted to a ship on the east coast or the west coast or The JNBCD company in Trenton. Our Nuclear Biological chemical defence first response company run my the army.
on average your first posting would be 3 years your second posting to ship 3-4 years and then back to a firehall.
Our first major priority is to the aircraft as airport firefighters. But at the present the military is workiing out with the provincal and federal governments to have us EMR trained. We have a lot of skills and knowledges more than putting water on the hot stuff. The Trade is also trying to get Spec pay and its looking good  if you what to learn more just ask.. have a good one
 
Yes  the fire fighter trade does have officers not too many but we do. The Canadian Forces Fire marshal isn't a fire fighter he is an engineer do figure
 
Just to clarify one item that Harbinger said...It's not so much a lack of qualified personnel that we don't have a lot of applicants to the university program, it's also a lack of knowledge of the PSO's.  There are many PSO's that have no idea of these programs and they have to be educated, unfortunately.  As well, the last intel I received on the U of NB, was that it is no longer available as the professor that ran the course is retired. 

As for being a Fire Chief, there is only two ways in which to accomplish this.  You can either become an Airfield Engineering Officer right from the start, then you have to take special "Cross-over" training to become a Fire Chief.  This training is held at the Canadian Forces Fire Academy, in Borden, ON.  The other way is the Commissioned from the Ranks Plan (CFRP).  Typically, you have to be a Sgt Fire Fighter (Mcpl IAW the regs, but you have a better chance as a Sgt, due to your experience).  Then you go to Gagetown to be trained as an Airfield Engineer. 

Hope this helps!

Chimo!
 
What does the rank structure  compare to the civy world ? (ie. Fire Chief would be a Major ? Colonel? platoon chief.... etc.)

My question was more along the lines of, what if i had a commission then transfered into a trade like FF (because i already have civi FF training).  I suppose i would have to deep 6 the commission for awhile?

PV
 
A Fire Chief is typically the rank of Lieutenant or, more commonly, Captain.  Mind you, there are some exceptions.  For example, 12 Wing Shearwater doesn't have an Officer as Fire Chief, but the position is filled by an MWO. 

Regardless, it would be difficult to compare each level directly with civilian Fire Fighting.  Other than the common Civilian Rank of "Captain" is equivalent to that of the Military "Platoon Chief" (usually a Sgt or WO). 

Finally, although your former fire fighting training would be of a benefit on an individual basis, it wouldn't be a large factor when becoming a military Fire Officer.  I have yet to see someone receive a Prior Learning Assessment Review (PLAR) towards their Fire Officer Training.

In retrospect, my neighbour wanted to become a Military Fire Fighter and I did some research on this with the Recruiting Centre in Halifax.  They told me that having a Civilian Qualification of Level 2 would be an asset, but by no means a prerequisite for the trade. 

I've got to run.

Chimo!
 
No, and that makes total sense.  I think prior training would help me as an individual but i wouldn't expect it to get me out of any training, just increased pay grades  :D .  As with civi dept.'s here in ON, you can have all the training in the world but once you get hired everybody starts at the beginning regardless. This is because every dept. has their own standards and want you to be trained accordingly.

thanks for the info.
 
Hi there Harbinger (or anyone else who's got an answer),

Thanks for all the info you've provided thus far on FIRE FTR. I've read up as much as possible on this forum about it, and yours is by far the most informative.

You'd mentioned (pasted below) that the MOC of FIRE FTR might be receiving specialist pay, and that the entry requirements might change. Any update on these two issues?  Also, what position is it now? I know that it was recently MOC 651, but now they're calling it MOSID and changing the numbers.

I'm thinking about applying for it once I get laser correction for my eyesight. Thanks in advance.


PASTED:
Aptitude test scores required are the same as infantry, although this may be changing as the trade is currently undergoing a tasking review - which has'nt been done since 1974. This review will be completed in the summer and will most likely result in the trade recieving specialist pay (fingers crossed) and may also change the entry requirements.
 
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