Paid On-Call (Volunteer) Firefighter

Position Details

• Job Title: Firefighter
• Location: Howick
• Employment Type: Casual
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Engagement Type: Permanent
• Department: Protective Services
• Work Location: On-Site

The Howick Township Fire Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Paid On-Call (Volunteer) Firefighter.

Please see below for a job description and fillable application form. Alternatively, applicants can print off the Firefighter Application Form and deliver it to the Howick Township Municipal Office or email the Fire Chief.

For any questions, please contact Manager of Development and Protective Services / Fire Chief Josh Kestner at 519-335-3202, howickfire@howick.ca or visit the Howick Fire Station at 2005 Nelson St N in Gorrie during normal business hours, or any Tuesday or Thursday after 7:00pm.

Job Requirements

• Be at least 18 years old
• Provide proof of valid Ontario driver’s license (minimum G2 class)
• Provide proof of residence within a reasonable distance of the Howick Fire Station
• Have a reliable means of transportation for responding to the Fire Station
• Be proficient in the English language, both verbally and in writing

Once selected, recruits must provide within thirty (30) days (costs to be reimbursed):

• Medical Examination Report completed and signed by the applicant’s doctor, and the Consent Waiver and Release Form prior to participating in physical activities
• Current Driver's Abstract from the Ministry of Transportation
• Proof of clean Criminal Record with occupational relevance (no convictions for which a pardon has not been granted)
• Certificate of vulnerable sector screening and check of the Pardoned Sexual Offender Database completed by the Ontario Provincial Police

Within the first two (2) years, recruits must obtain the following (all training paid at current rates, expenses covered by the Fire Department upon successful completion):

• NFPA 1001 Firefighter 1 & 2 and NFPA 1072 Hazmat Operations Certification (approx. 200 hours of in-class/training and online training as part of a Huron County Recruit Training Program)
• Ontario DZ License and Emergency Vehicle Operator training (approx. 24 hours of in-class and practical training completed in-house)
• Standard First Aid with CPR and AED (approx. 8 hours of in-class training completed in-house or at a local training facility)

Regular Job Requirements

Firefighters are assigned to Platoons, which rotate through an on-call schedule every four (4) weeks. The on-call period is from 6:00pm Friday to 6:00pm Sunday to ensure weekend coverage.

• Platoons complete truck and equipment checks on the Tuesday following their on-call weekend starting at 7:00pm; this takes about two (2) hours
• Platoons participate in training one or two Thursday nights per month, starting at 7:00pm, lasting approx. three (3) hours
• Firefighters are scheduled on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 7:00pm for SCBA checks, station duties, and staff/Firefighters Association meetings
• Other mandatory activities include public education events, community events, additional training, etc.

This equates to at least four (4) weekday evenings of scheduled activity per month, per Firefighter.

Benefits

• Supplied equipment including bunker gear (pants, jacket, helmet, gloves, hood, boots, and accessories) maintained to NFPA standards
• Pager and phone app provided
• Station uniform upon hiring, and dress uniform upon successful certification
• Quarterly remuneration for all fire calls, training, equipment checks, meetings, and other activities as approved by the Fire Chief
• Opportunities for additional training recognized throughout North America via the Ontario Fire College or other accredited institutions
• Potential career advancement to Officer roles