How to become a Firefighter
Official title: Firefighters
Also called: Firefighter, Crash firefighter, Airport firefighter, Training firefighter, Firefighter-inspector, Shipboard firefighter, Firefighter apprentice, Firefighter lieutenant, Industrial firefighter, Structural firefighter, Industrial complex firefighter, Communication service firefighter
Firefighters carry out firefighting and fire prevention activities, and assist in other emergencies. They are employed by municipal, provincial and federal governments and by large industrial establishments that have internal firefighting services. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Main tasks
- Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents, bomb threats and other emergencies
- Rescue victims from burning buildings and accident sites
- Control and extinguish fires using manual and power equipment, such as axes, water hoses, aerial ladders and hydraulic equipment and various firefighting chemicals
- Administer first aid and other assistance
- Ensure proper operation and maintenance of firefighting equipment
- Prepare written reports on fire incidents
- Inform and educate the public on fire prevention
- Train to maintain high level of physical fitness
How to become one
Completion of secondary school is usually required. Completion of a college program in fire protection technology, fire science or a related field and a period of supervised practical training is usually required. Firefighting and emergency medical care training courses are provided and vary in length depending on the requirements of different fire departments or services. Certification for firefighters is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Experience as a volunteer firefighter may be an advantage. Physical agility, strength, fitness and vision requirements must be met. Several years of experience are required for senior firefighters, such as lieutenants and captains.
Ways in
- College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 53% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Fire protection; Allied health diagnostic, intervention and treatment professions; Sports, kinesiology, and physical education/physical fitness.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $89,291 a year The middle half earn $73,964 to $104,462.
- About 39,800 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 41,900 are projected by 2033. (+5.3%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: moderate risk of shortage.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Firefighter?
Completion of secondary school is usually required. Completion of a college program in fire protection technology, fire science or a related field and a period of supervised practical training is usually required. Firefighting and emergency medical care training courses are provided and vary in length depending on the requirements of different fire departments or services. Certification for firefighters is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Experience as a volunteer firefighter may be an advantage. Physical agility, strength, fitness and vision requirements must be met. Several years of experience are required for senior firefighters, such as lieutenants and captains.
How much does a Firefighter earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $89,291 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $73,964 to $104,462.
Is a Firefighter a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2033, from about 39,800 to about 41,900 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a Firefighter?
Usually not. Only 16% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: College or CEGEP program.
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