How to become a firefighter in Regina

Verified GuideModel C: Paramedic-firstDepartment-specificYork

Opens by posting

The firefighter jobs page states: "During the recruitment process, the Fire & Protective Services Department advertises current openings on Jobs.regina.ca, job boards like Saskjobs.ca, and emails the job posting to colleges in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba that offer Firefighter training." Step one of their own process is to submit an application for an advertised position.

Checked August 10, 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?

What you need

The credentials and documents Regina requires before you can apply.

How hiring works here

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

Build your plan

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

At a glance

Entry model: Model C: Paramedic-first
Fire certification before applying: IFSAC or ProBoard NFPA 1001 Level I and II
Medical requirement: Primary Care Paramedic or Advanced Care Paramedic with a current Saskatchewan practicing licence; Current ITLS; Current CPR; Published vision standard, including normal colour vision; Published hearing standard
Driver requirement: Valid driver's licence with air brake endorsement
Written test: Department-specific
Physical test: York
Last verified: July 2026 · sources monitored daily for changes

A summary of this record. The full detail is below, and the official posting governs.

Regina combines pre-certification with paramedic-first hiring: IFSAC or ProBoard NFPA 1001 Level I and II plus Primary Care Paramedic certification with a current Saskatchewan practicing licence (a restricted licence is accepted with proof of PCP completion if COPR is obtained during probation). Testing runs as sequential pass/fail gates starting with a randomized multiple-choice knowledge exam drawn from the NFPA 1001 Level II standard, and the York fitness assessment (administered through the University of Regina, with vision testing incorporated) must be current within 6 months.

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

Requirements

Required at application

Grade 12 or GED
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IFSAC or ProBoard NFPA 1001 Level I and II
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Primary Care Paramedic or Advanced Care Paramedic with a current Saskatchewan practicing licence
PCP certification (2011 NOCP) with a current Saskatchewan practicing licence, and Regina accepts an ACP certification in its place. Proof of PCP completion with a restricted licence is accepted if COPR is obtained during probation.
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Current ITLS
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Current CPR
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Valid driver's licence with air brake endorsement
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5-year individual driver's abstract within 3 months
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Criminal record check within 3 months
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York Firefighter Applicant Fitness Assessment certificate
Current within 6 months. Vision testing is incorporated into the York assessment. Administered through the University of Regina Centre for Health, Wellness (treadmill VO2 with expired air analysis plus eight job-related performance tests).
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Published vision standard, including normal colour vision
Regina has adopted the 2022 NFPA 1582 candidate eyesight standard and publishes the numbers: near acuity 20/40 or better binocular, corrected or uncorrected; far acuity 20/40 or better binocular corrected, or 20/100 or better binocular uncorrected for wearers of hard contacts, spectacles or new soft lenses; 20/100 in the worse eye. Colour vision must be normal, tested by Ishihara or Farnsworth.
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Published hearing standard
No more than 30 decibels of hearing loss in either ear, averaged across 500, 1000, 2000 and 3000 Hz.
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Preferred assets

Class 3A licencePreferred asset
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The hiring process

Regina's exam is a random selection of multiple-choice questions based on the NFPA 1001 Level II standard. Testing gates are sequential and pass or fail, so a failed exam removes you from the competition.
Because Regina only hires candidates who already hold IFSAC or ProBoard NFPA 1001 Level I and II, your certification coursework is the syllabus. Reread your Level II materials and the job performance requirements rather than general firefighting trivia.
Random question selection means you cannot cram a narrow topic list. Review the full Level II scope, and practise timed multiple-choice work in the weeks before the exam.
The city does not publish a pass mark, a fee, or the number of questions. Confirm exam logistics with the department when you are invited.
Department source for this stage
Read roadmap step 9 Drill the question banks
Candidates who pass testing move on to interviews and reference verification, the final step in Regina's published process. Only successful test candidates get here, so treat the invitation as a real shot, not a formality.
Regina's page lists what it wants: the ability to understand and execute oral and written instructions, act quickly and calmly in emergencies, and personal health habits that develop and maintain resiliency. Prepare a concrete story for each, drawn from paramedic work, training or other jobs, not just fireground examples.
The page also asks for the ability to observe, identify and communicate about mental health matters, and willingness to participate in mental health sessions and counselling. Expect questions about how you handle stress and support crew members, and answer them honestly rather than with what sounds tough.
The interview format and panel makeup are not published, so confirm details with the department when invited. Practise short, structured answers that state the situation, what you did, and the result.
Department source for this stage
Read roadmap step 11 Run a mock panel interview Interview playbook
Regina runs reference verification alongside the interview as the last step of its published process. Have your references lined up before testing ends so this stage does not stall on you.
Choose people who supervised your work directly, such as a fire training instructor, a paramedic preceptor or a current employer. Tell each one a call may be coming and remind them of specific work they saw you do.
Make sure the story your references tell matches your application and interview answers. A gap between what you claimed and what a supervisor recalls is a common way candidates fall out late in a process.
Regina does not publish how many references it wants or in what format. Confirm the requirements with the department, and keep every reference's contact information current.
Department source for this stage
Read roadmap step 10 Draft your PHS Build your experience logbook
Regina publishes its medical numbers, so check yourself against them before you invest in the process. The city has adopted the 2022 NFPA 1582 candidate eyesight standard.
Vision: near acuity of 20/40 or better binocular, corrected or uncorrected. Far acuity of 20/40 or better binocular corrected with contacts or spectacles, or 20/100 or better binocular uncorrected for wearers of hard contacts, spectacles or new soft contact lenses, and 20/100 in the worse eye. Colour vision must be normal, tested by Ishihara or Farnsworth methods.
Hearing: no more than 30 decibels of hearing loss in either ear, averaged at 500, 1000, 2000 and 3000 Hz. If you are unsure where you stand, book an audiogram before you apply rather than after.
Regina's page lists vision, colour blindness and hearing testing as components of the York fitness assessment, so most candidates learn early whether they meet the standard. If you wear corrective lenses, see an optometrist first and bring your prescription details.
Department source for this stage
Read roadmap step 3 Track your certifications Medical terms study sheet

Worth knowing

Adopted the 2022 NFPA 1582 candidate eyesight standard: 20/40 binocular corrected, colour vision via Ishihara/Farnsworth.
Hearing standard: maximum 30 dB average loss at 500/1000/2000/3000 Hz.
Runs women-in-firefighting gear-up information sessions.

Official sources

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

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

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