Paid On-Call Firefighter Recruitment
The City of Chilliwack recruits Paid On-Call (POC) firefighters annually for the POC Recruit Training Program, and the current recruitment process is now underway.
- Hall #1 Main (#2 - 45950 Cheam Avenue)
- Hall #2 Rosedale (51235 Yale Road)
- Hall #3 Yarrow (42385 Yarrow Central Road)
- Hall #4 Sardis (45433 South Sumas Road)
- Hall #5 Ryder Lake (49285 Elkview Road)
- Hall #6 Greendale (6485 Sumas Prairie Road)
New applicants from the Promontory area who apply to Hall 5 and are accepted at Hall 5 will be required to provide two years of continuous service at Hall 5 before being considered for a transfer to Hall 4.
If you are a motivated individual in good physical condition, you may have a future as a Paid On-Call (POC) firefighter.
All fire halls are staffed by POC Firefighters.
Who are POC Firefighters?
POC firefighters are trained community members who are available around the clock to respond to emergencies when paged.
POC firefighters receive an hourly wage when they are called to respond to emergencies and when they attend weekly training sessions, held on Monday nights.
Minimum Membership Requirements:
These requirements are mandatory for selection.
- 19 years of age or older.
- High school graduate or GED certificate.
- Reside in the City of Chilliwack.
- Current and valid BC Driver's License (Class 5 or better).
- Safe driving record as demonstrated by a Drivers Abstract. More than six points in the past three years, as of the date of the application, may eliminate an applicant from consideration.
- A completed RCMP Criminal Record Check will be required during the Recruit Training Program.
- Physically and medically fit (a medical examination is required prior to fitness testing as supplied by the fire department).
- Normal vision and hearing. Regular glasses cannot be worn under a self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA mask).
- No phobias of heights or confined spaces.
- Available to attend Monday night practices (7:15 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.)
- Ability to respond to calls all year.
- Ability to communicate effectively in English.
- Ability to use computer programs such as Mircrosoft Word, Excel, and E-Learning platforms.
- No beard once accepted (prohibited for safety reasons).
- Legally entitled to work in Canada (Canadian citizen or landed immigrant).
Preferred Qualifications:
These requirements would be a benefit to your selection but are not mandatory.
- Employed and work in Chilliwack
- Daytime response ability
- Previous firefighter experience
- Class 1 or 3 Driver's License
- Air Brake endorsement
- Current First Aid and/or CPR certification
- Trades certification (e.g., electrical, plumbing, mechanical, construction)
- Post-secondary education
- Volunteer experience with other organizations
- Reside close to your Fire Hall
Hiring Process Timeline (subject to change, all start times TBA)
July 30, 2025 Information Night
August 15, 2025 Closing of applications
August 28, 2025 Written Exam – Group 1 (for selected applicants)
September 2, 2025 Written Exam – Group 2 (for selected applicants)
September 16 – 18, 2025 Interviews of selected applicants
September 19 – 29, 2025 Selected applicants to complete Medical examination
October 1, 2025 Physical testing of selected applicants
October 3, 2025 Selection of successful applicants
October 8, 2025 Recruit Camp begins
April 1 or 8, 2026 Recruit Camp completes
The Program will run every Wednesday evening, all day Saturdays, with occasional Sundays.
The First Responder component will run October 10 (evening), 11 (day), 15 (evening), 18 (day), 20 (evening), 25 (day), 26 (day), 27 (evening), 2025.
Information Night
Thinking about joining our team? Come to our Recruit Training Program Information Night! This is your chance to get all the details about the program and ask any questions you have.
When: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Where: City Hall Council Chambers, 8550 Young Road
Written Exam
Selected applicants will be required to complete an entry-level firefighting written exam. This multiple-choice exam has a two-hour time limit and may include questions on the following topics: logical reasoning, reading comprehension, interpreting tables, situational judgment, reading gauges, basic math, mechanical aptitude, spatial awareness, map reading, and vocabulary. Firefighting experience is not required, as the exam focuses on general skills and aptitudes relevant to the role. To prepare, applicants are encouraged to search online for “firefighting entry-level written practice test” to find a variety of practice resources. Firefighting experience is not necessary to complete the exam.
Medical Examination
A Chilliwack Fire Department medical examination, conducted at no cost to the candidate, is required for applicants who successfully pass the interview stage. This examination must be completed prior to the physical testing. Candidates will be responsible for scheduling an appointment with their physician. Further details will be provided after the interview to those being considered for a position with the Fire Department.
If you are interested, please print and complete the application form available at the link below. Attach all required documentation and submit your completed application package either in person to Hall 1 at #2-45950 Cheam Avenue or electronically to [email protected], by August 15, 2025.
Applicants that do not submit all of the information may be disqualified from the process.
For more information, please contact 604.792.8713.
Watch the CFD Recruitment Video: /main/link.cfm?id=3794
| Attachments | |||
| Description | Date | File Size | |
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MASTER Application Form | 2025-06-13 | 475KB |
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MASTER Application Form. FILLABLE | 2025-06-13 | 539KB |