SEMPARO

City Guides / Ontario

How to become a firefighter in London

Pattern-mapped
Model B: Come pre-certified
York

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.

London hires pre-certified firefighters: candidates need a Grade 12 diploma, GED, or equivalent, current IFSAC and/or Pro Board endorsed NFPA 1001 Firefighter Level 1 and 2 and NFPA 1072 HazMat Awareness and Operations certifications, a valid unrestricted Ontario Class D licence with Z endorsement plus a three-year uncertified driver's abstract, and current First Aid, CPR, and AED certification. For physical testing the City accepts the York University Firefighting Physical Fitness Test or OFAI Candidate Testing Services. The posted process runs from application submission through a pre-qualifying written exam and interview to psychological and medical assessments, with a criminal reference check including a vulnerable sector screen from within the past 12 months.

NFPA 1001 Firefighter I and II plus HazMat Operations are required before applying. Budget for fire school before you can compete.

Requirements

Required at application

Required before hire

  • York University Firefighting Physical Fitness Test or OFAI Candidate Testing Services

    The City lists the York University Firefighting Physical Fitness Test or OFAI Candidate Testing Services as accepted physical testing.

    Prepare with roadmap step 13
  • Criminal reference check with vulnerable sector screen, within the past 12 months
    Prepare with roadmap step 14

The hiring process

  1. 1

    Application submission

  2. 2

    Pre-qualifying written exam

  3. 3

    Interview

  4. 4

    Psychological and medical assessments

Worth knowing

  • OFAI Candidate Testing Services results are accepted as an alternative to the York University Firefighting Physical Fitness Test.
  • Duties include participation on special teams: ice and water rescue, hazardous materials, and technical rescue.
  • Recruitment questions go to mycareer@london.ca or 519-661-4930.

Official sources

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

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

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