How to become a firefighter in Brandon

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.

Brandon runs a dual fire and ambulance service and hires Firefighter/Paramedics through ongoing competitions: the one mandatory medical certification is a College of Paramedics of Manitoba Primary Care Paramedic Certificate of Practice, or being in the process of obtaining licensure with proof of a COPR test date. Applicants also need grade 12, GED, or mature student standing, a valid Manitoba Class 4 licence with air endorsement, satisfactory criminal record with vulnerable sector and child and adult abuse registry checks, and optometrist and audiologist forms proving the department's vision and hearing standards at application. Fire training through the Manitoba Emergency Services College or an equivalent public fire protection program is listed as preferred, and the competition runs through BFES physical testing, a two-part skills assessment exam, a behavioural panel interview, psychological assessment, and reference checks before a hiring shortlist is created.

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

Application window

Applications accepted on an ongoing basis

Requirements

Required at application

18 years of age or older
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Legally entitled to work in Canada and fluent in English
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Grade 12, GED, or mature student standing
Proof of graduation is required as a certificate or diploma, or a transcript with a signed statement from the principal attesting graduation requirements were met.
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College of Paramedics of Manitoba PCP Certificate of Practice
All applicants must possess a College of Paramedics of Manitoba Primary Care Paramedics Certificate of Practice or be in the process of obtaining licensure, with a copy submitted with the application or prior to hiring with proof of a COPR test date.
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Manitoba Class 4 licence with air endorsement
With a driving record acceptable to department standards. If you do not yet have air endorsement, proof that you are in the process of obtaining it is required.
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Criminal record check with vulnerable sector
Valid within 1 year prior to the application submission date.
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Child and Adult Abuse Registry Check
Valid within 6 months prior to the application submission date.
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Driver's abstract within 3 months of application
An original abstract dated no earlier than 3 months prior to submission, at the applicant's cost.
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Optometrist vision examination report
Visual acuity of 20/30 or better in the best eye and not less than 20/50 in the weaker eye (aided or unaided), with minimal colour vision abnormalities. Form dated no earlier than one year before application.
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Audiologist hearing examination report
No more than 30 dB hearing loss unaided in either ear, averaged at 500, 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz, and no listed Category B ear conditions. Form dated no earlier than one year before application.
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Preferred assets

Firefighting Practices Level 1 and 2 (meets NFPA 1001, accredited version)
Preferred asset
Listed under preferred fire related training, from the Manitoba Emergency Services College or an equivalent public fire protection program.
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HazMat Awareness and Operations (meets NFPA 472)
Preferred asset
Listed under preferred fire related training.
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Fire Apparatus/Operator (meets NFPA 1002)
Preferred asset
Listed under preferred fire related training.
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The hiring process

1
Application package
Online application with cover letter, resume, and all required forms and documents. Incomplete applications are rejected.
2
Physical fitness testing
Offered by BFES at no cost to the candidate; a similar physical test already completed may be evaluated as an equivalent case by case.
3
Skills Assessment Examination
Two parts: 100 multiple-choice questions on primary care paramedic knowledge (about 3 hours, 70 percent pass mark) and a video-based Emergency Services Testing battery covering human relations, mechanical reasoning, reading, and math (about 2.5 hours).
4
Selection interview
Behavioural interview with a selection panel at Fire Hall 1; candidates are ranked.
5
Psychological assessment
About 3 hours plus a short interview with the psychologist. Candidates are not eliminated at this stage unless they do not complete the test.
6
Reference checks
7
Shortlist
Successful candidates are placed on a short list for future vacancies.

Worth knowing

The Primary Care Paramedic Certificate of Practice is the only mandatory certification; fire training is listed as preferred, which is why this record is mapped paramedic-first.
Applicants who have applied to three or more Firefighter/Paramedic competitions may not be selected for advancement.
Driving record criteria are strict: listed Highway Traffic Act and Criminal Code convictions within set look-back periods rule applicants ineligible.
A higher salary grid applies to members with ACLS certification.

Official sources

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

Semparo is not affiliated with or endorsed by Brandon Fire and Emergency Services or any testing vendor. This guide is independent preparation content.

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