How to become a firefighter in North Bay

Province-Based Overview

Not accepting applications

The fire service's recruitment page is headed "RECRUITMENT IS NOW CLOSED" for Job Posting ID 25E-05. That posting asked for applications "no later than Sunday, February 23, 2025, at 11:59 p.m."

Checked October 15, 2026 against the department's own page. Intake dates change without notice, so confirm there before you plan around this.

Where are you starting from?

How hiring works here

Every stage North Bay publishes, and how to do each one well.

Build your plan

Two minutes: see which requirements you already meet, and what to start first.

Requirements summary pending final verification. This page shows the typical provincial pattern for departments like this one. Always confirm against the official posting linked below.

North Bay Fire and Emergency Services is the career fire service for the City of North Bay in northeastern Ontario.

The provincial pattern

Ontario departments hire pre-certified under O. Reg. 343/22: NFPA 1001 Firefighter I and II, an Ontario Class D licence with Z endorsement, and first aid and CPR or EMR. Candidate testing runs through the OFAI CTS stages or the CPS test via FireOntario depending on the department, so confirm which stream applies on the official posting.

Departments matching this pattern usually hire under Model B: come pre-certified. NFPA 1001 Firefighter I and II plus HazMat Operations are required before applying. Budget for fire school before you can compete.

North Bay Fire and Emergency Services has not published requirements confirming this, so treat it as the pattern for the province and not as a fact about this department.

The hiring process

Your OFAI certificates must already be valid when you apply. North Bay requires Stage One (Firefighter Aptitude and Character Test), Stage Two (hearing assessment, vision assessment and encapsulated treadmill test), Stage Three (Firefighter Physical Aptitude Job-Related Tests and the technical skills assessment) and a valid swim test certificate, all valid through the recruitment process.
Format the resume in the order the posting sets out: work experience, formal education, professional qualifications, then community involvement. Incorrect or incomplete submissions are not considered, so follow the format exactly.
North Bay also requires a university degree, community college diploma or trade certification in any discipline, NFPA 1001 Firefighter I and II with seals, Standard First Aid and Basic Rescuer CPR Level C, and a Class D Ontario licence with Z endorsement. You may include up to two character reference letters, which are optional but treated as an asset.
Department source for this stage
Read roadmap step 7 Review your Gap List Certification tracker
The first contact is a phone call, so answer unknown numbers during the recruitment and keep a professional voicemail greeting.
By applying you authorize the City to contact OFAI to verify your qualifications, so make sure what you claim matches your OFAI record exactly.
Department source for this stage
Read roadmap step 11 Run a mock panel interview Interview playbook
Be ready for a second round and keep your availability open after the first interview.
North Bay names the values it hires for: service excellence, safety, integrity, professionalism, communication, teamwork and respect. Prepare short honest examples that show those rather than rehearsed speeches.
Department source for this stage
Read roadmap step 11 Run a mock panel interview Interview playbook
This step costs you nothing, which is unusual, but it is still part of the decision. Sleep properly beforehand and answer consistently and honestly.
Department source for this stage
Read roadmap step 12 Polygraph guide Review your PHS answers
All three references must be supervisory and recent, so a friend or coworker will not do. Ask permission first and give each person notice about the timing.
Department source for this stage
Read roadmap step 10 Draft your PHS Build your experience logbook
Order the vulnerable sector check from the police service where you live once you have the conditional offer. You pay for it, and it must be recent.
Firefighters must be able to respond and report to the fire station within 30 minutes when off duty in an emergency, so factor that into where you plan to live.
Department source for this stage
Read roadmap step 14 Academy preparation guide Start a fitness program

Official sources

Official links last checked July 2026. Requirements change: the official posting always governs.

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

This guide is not verified yet

Semparo only scores you against a department whose requirements we have checked against its official sources, so there is no Gap List for North Bay yet. Email us to ask for this department next, and we will reply when the guide is verified.

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