How to become a fire chiefs and senior firefighting officer
Official title: Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers
Also called: Fire chief, Deputy fire chief, Sawmill fire chief, District fire chief, Refinery fire chief, Fire department chief, Industrial fire chief, Senior firefighting officer, Fire department duty officer, Airport fire department chief, Fire department division chief, Firefighters executive officer
Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate firefighting operations and fire prevention activities in fire departments. They are employed by municipal and federal governments and by industrial establishments with firefighting services.
Main tasks
- Develop, implement and evaluate policies and procedures for the operation of a municipal fire department, a district fire region or an industrial firefighting service
- Plan, direct and coordinate firefighting strategies for fire departments
- Evaluate the type of fire, the extent of damage to buildings and the danger to nearby establishments
- Direct activities at the scene of a fire
- Determine damage estimates and investigate the potential causes of a fire after extinguished
- Develop and oversee the implementation of security and fire prevention campaigns
- Represent the fire department in communications with government, the media and the public
- Direct the training of personnel in firefighting methods
How to become one
Completion of secondary school is required. Completion of a college program in fire protection technology, fire science or a related field is usually required. Completion of a provincial or municipal firefighters training course is required. A minimum of ten years of experience as a firefighter is usually required before becoming eligible for a senior officer position.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $122,148 a year The middle half earn $93,756 to $145,334.
- About 2,700 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 3,200 are projected by 2033. (+18.5%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
- Commissioned police officers and related occupations in public protection services
- Commissioned officers of the Canadian Armed Forces
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Questions people ask
How do I become a fire chiefs and senior firefighting officer?
Completion of secondary school is required. Completion of a college program in fire protection technology, fire science or a related field is usually required. Completion of a provincial or municipal firefighters training course is required. A minimum of ten years of experience as a firefighter is usually required before becoming eligible for a senior officer position.
How much does a fire chiefs and senior firefighting officer earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $122,148 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $93,756 to $145,334.
Is a fire chiefs and senior firefighting officer a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 19% by 2033, from about 2,700 to about 3,200 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a fire chiefs and senior firefighting officer?
Usually not. Only 20% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03