Paid-On-Call Firefighters

The City of Campbell River Fire Department does not have volunteer firefighters. Like many modern fire departments, we have paid on-call firefighters who are compensated during training and incident response; therefore, they are not volunteers. Instead, these firefighters are called paid-on-call firefighters, and they make up a significant portion of the Campbell River Fire Department.

Paid-on-call firefighters are integral members of the Campbell River Fire Department. They work with career firefighters to provide fire and rescue services to the City of Campbell River.

Paid-on-call firefighters provide an efficient and effective service to the community. They support operations and perform the basic functions of fire protection, involving:

• containment and extinguishment of structural, vehicle, and wildland fires
• rescue of persons involved in motor vehicle incidents
• response and support of other substantial incidents

Unlike career firefighters, paid-on-call firefighters hold regular jobs in the community. With their employers' permission, they may stop work to attend to emergencies, although this is not a requirement. This round-the-clock role also relies heavily on the patience and support of their family and social circles.

Paid-on-call firefighters also meet minimum training standards as established by the province, and participate in weekly skill maintenance drills, regular structured training exercises and other approved activities.

Recruitment

Recruitment intakes happen approximately once per year. Check back here for information on when the next training program intake is taking place.

Paid-on-call firefighter recruitment is currently closed. If you are already NFPA 1001 certified, and you live in Campbell River, please give us a call to discuss joining our team at 250-286-6266.

Job Duty Expectations

• Combat, extinguish and prevent fires. 
• Protect life and property.
• Respond to fire alarms, lay and connect hose, direct water streams, raise and climb ladders, use portable extinguishers and other firefighter, rescue and safety tools and equipment.
• Search for and rescue persons from danger and administer first aid to the injured.
• Ventilate premises to release heat and smoke, place salvage covers to prevent water damage.
• As assigned, drive and operate motor driven firefighting equipment.
• Perform the routine housekeeping and routine maintenance of the fire department equipment and fire stations.
• Participate in training, drill and practice sessions.
• Participate in rescue and safety, or public service call activities; take responsibility for effective disposition of such emergencies.
• Participate in community events and fundraising activities.

Basic Qualifications

• At least 18 years of age
• Legally entitled to work in Canada
• Live within the City of Campbell River boundary
• Have no criminal record that would prevent you from being a firefighter
• Vision and hearing to NFPA standards
• Hold a valid BC Class 5 driver's licence (or Class 7 if driving less than four years) with less than 7 points in the past three years
• Hold a current first aid certificate of at least seven (7) hours of instruction
• Comfortable being in confined spaces
• Work well under pressure
• Strong team player
• Able to physically perform the duties
• Willing to work in dangerous and unpleasant situations
• Able to conduct yourself with professionalism
• Able to take calculated risks to help others in need
• Able to continue working despite physical discomfort

Fitness and Job-Related Performance Assessment