How to become a firefighter in Airdrie

Pattern-mapped

Model C: Paramedic-first

Department-specific

The requirements below were researched against the official sources linked at the bottom of this page and are pending final verification. Always confirm against the current official posting.

Airdrie stacks fire certification and paramedic licensing: applicants need NFPA 1001 Level I and II and NFPA 472/1072 HazMat Awareness and Operations with IFSAC or ProBoard seals, plus registration as a Primary Care or Advanced Care Paramedic with an Alberta College of Paramedics practice permit. A valid Class 1, 2, or 3 licence with Q air brake endorsement is required with fewer than 7 demerit points at application, along with a high school diploma or GED. Candidates write the Firefighter Aptitude and Character Test (FACT) and Comprehensive Examination Battery (CEB), and can satisfy the fitness requirement with the University of Alberta Firefighter Fitness Test, the Red Deer Polytechnic Firefighter Applicant Physical Aptitude Test, or the CPAT.

A paramedic licence is the core requirement, with fire certifications stacked on top or trained after hire.

Requirements

Required at application

High school diploma or GED
Prepare with roadmap step 2
NFPA 1001 Level I and II (IFSAC or ProBoard)
Prepare with roadmap step 5
NFPA 472/1072 HazMat Awareness and Operations (IFSAC or ProBoard)
Prepare with roadmap step 5
Primary Care or Advanced Care Paramedic
With an Alberta College of Paramedics practice permit. All front-line firefighters are also paramedics.
Prepare with roadmap step 3
Class 1, 2, or 3 licence with Q air brake endorsement
Must have fewer than 7 demerit points at the time of application.
Prepare with roadmap step 4

Required before hire

Firefighter fitness test (one of three accepted)
University of Alberta Firefighter Fitness Test, Red Deer Polytechnic Firefighter Applicant Physical Aptitude Test, or Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). Cost is approximately $200 to $400.
Prepare with roadmap step 13

The hiring process

1
FACT and CEB aptitude testing($35 USD)
Firefighter Aptitude and Character Test (FACT) and Comprehensive Examination Battery (CEB).
2
Firefighter fitness test
University of Alberta, Red Deer Polytechnic FPAT, or CPAT accepted.
3
Behavioural Descriptive Interview
Follows the STAR (Situation, Task, Actions, Result) format.
4
Firefighting and medical skills assessment

Worth knowing

All front-line Airdrie firefighters are also paramedics.
Three fitness tests are accepted: University of Alberta, Red Deer Polytechnic FPAT, or CPAT.
As of the July 2026 review, the department page stated it was not accepting applications; local reporting notes a competition opened for April and September 2026 intake classes, so check the current posting.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-07. Requirements change: the official posting always governs.

City of Airdrie fire recruitment and training

Semparo is not affiliated with or endorsed by Airdrie Fire Department or any testing vendor. This guide is independent preparation content.

See your personal gap list for Airdrie

Tell us which certifications and licences you already hold. We compare them against every requirement above and show exactly what stands between you and this department.

Build my Gap List