City Guides / Ontario
How to become a firefighter in Oshawa
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.
Oshawa hires pre-certified firefighters and requires all seven mandatory OFAI assessment components at the time of application: Stage 1 (Firefighter Aptitude and Character Test), Stage 2 (hearing, vision, encapsulated treadmill), Stage 3 (FPAT and the Firefighter Technical Skills Assessment), and the OFAI swim test, with no expired certifications accepted. Applicants must be 18 or older, legally entitled to work in Canada, hold NFPA 1001 Level I/II from an accredited institution before applying, carry Standard First Aid with CPR C or higher such as EMR from a WSIB-approved trainer, and hold a valid unrestricted Ontario Class D or higher licence with Z endorsement with no more than six demerit points. A minimum of one year of full-time work experience is expected, and job offers are conditional on a pre-employment medical, a driver's abstract, and a cleared criminal record check with vulnerable sector search.
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
- 18 years of age or olderPrepare with roadmap step 2
- Legally entitled to work in CanadaPrepare with roadmap step 2
- Secondary school diploma or academic equivalent
- NFPA 1001 Level I/II from an accredited institution
Completed prior to the date of application submission. Institutions within Ontario should be accredited by the OFM; institutions outside Ontario or Canada should be accredited by IFSAC or ProBoard.
Prepare with roadmap step 5 - OFAI Stage 1 (Firefighter Aptitude and Character Test)
All seven mandatory OFAI assessment components must be complete at the time of application; expired certifications are not accepted.
Prepare with roadmap step 8 - OFAI Stage 2 (hearing, vision, encapsulated treadmill)Prepare with roadmap step 8
- OFAI Stage 3 (FPAT and Firefighter Technical Skills Assessment)Prepare with roadmap step 13
- OFAI swim testPrepare with roadmap step 8
- Standard First Aid and CPR C or higher (for example EMR)
Current and valid, issued by a WSIB-approved First Aid trainer prior to the date of application submission.
Prepare with roadmap step 3 - Valid unrestricted Ontario licence, minimum Class D with Z endorsement
Applicants with more than six demerit points are ineligible for consideration.
Prepare with roadmap step 4 - Minimum one year of prior full-time work experience
Fire suppression, construction, trades, mechanical, emergency medical, large vehicle operation or fire prevention related experience is an asset.
Required at conditional job offer
- Pre-employment medical
- Ministry of Transportation driver's abstract
- Criminal record check with vulnerable sector search
Cleared and performed within the last six months.
The hiring process
- 1
Posting on the City of Oshawa careers page
Join the City's Talent Network to receive notifications when recruitment campaigns open.
- 2
Screening against mandatory and preferred qualifications
All seven OFAI assessment components and all certifications must be complete and current at application; assessment costs are the applicant's responsibility.
- 3
Job interview
A panel of Fire Services and Human Resource Services representatives asks situational, behavioural and practical questions.
- 4
Reference checks
Two supervisory references; personal, coworker or professor references are not accepted.
- 5
Conditional job offer
Pre-employment medical, driver's abstract, and a cleared criminal record check with vulnerable sector search.
- 6
In-house recruit training and 12-month probation
New recruits train in-house before being placed on shift; extensive in-service training continues through probation.
Worth knowing
- Firefighters work a 24-hour shift schedule, averaging seven shifts in a 28-day cycle.
- All costs associated with OFAI assessments are the responsibility of the applicant.
Official sources
Last verified 2026-07. Requirements change: the official posting always governs.
Semparo is not affiliated with or endorsed by Oshawa Fire Services or any testing vendor. This guide is independent preparation content.
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