SEMPARO

City Guides / British Columbia

How to become a firefighter in Saanich

Pattern-mapped
Model B: Come pre-certified
Department-specific
U of Vic or U of A

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.

Saanich recruits through the Core Four joint competition with Victoria, Esquimalt, and Oak Bay, with one application managed by the City of Victoria. Minimums for the 2026 intake are Firefighter Level 1 and 2 certification to the NFPA 1010 standard with IFSAC or Pro Board accreditation, a recognized medical certificate from First Responder up to Critical Care Paramedic, Grade 12, a BC Class 3 licence with air brake, and a University of Victoria or University of Alberta fitness test passed within a year of the posting. Selection builds a shared eligibility pool through a BL Associates written exam, joint assessment days, and panel interviews.

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

Application window

2026 joint intake: opened May 26, closed June 16

Requirements

Required at application

  • Firefighter Level 1 and 2 certification (NFPA 1010 standard, IFSAC or Pro Board)

    The NFPA 1010 standard consolidates the former NFPA 1001 firefighter professional qualifications.

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  • First Responder certificate or higher

    A valid certificate from a recognized training program in one of: First Responder, EMR, PCP, ACP, or Critical Care Paramedic. Refer to the Province of BC's First Responder Licensing list of recognized programs.

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  • Canadian citizenship or landed immigrant status
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  • Proof of Grade 12 education or equivalent
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  • Valid BC Class 3 licence with air brake endorsement or equivalent
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  • Driver's abstract dated within 30 days of application

    Must reflect a safe and responsible driving history.

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  • University of Victoria or University of Alberta firefighter fitness test

    Successful completion within one year of the job posting. Individual departments may require a retest dated within one year of the eligibility pool's creation.

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Required at conditional job offer

  • Pre-placement medical assessment and Police Information Check

    A clean Police Information Check with vulnerable sector screening, an updated driver's abstract, and a pre-placement medical are required before employment.

The hiring process

  1. 1

    Application

    One online application through victoria.ca/jobs covering all four departments, uploaded as a single PDF with cover letter, resume, and proof of the minimum qualifications.

  2. 2

    Written examination and psychometric testing

    Held online, proctored by BL Associates.

  3. 3

    Joint recruitment assessment days

    In-person assessment including a mini-interview station.

  4. 4

    Panel interview

    Behavioural-descriptive questions. From this stage onward, steps are conducted by the individual fire departments.

  5. 5

    Reference checks

    Two recent supervisory references.

  6. 6

    Eligibility pool and conditional offers

    Selected candidates enter a shared firefighter eligibility pool. Offers are conditional on a Police Information Check with vulnerable sector screening, fitness test verification, and a pre-placement medical assessment.

Worth knowing

  • Saanich recruits jointly with Victoria, Esquimalt, and Oak Bay (the Core Four); one application through the City of Victoria covers all four departments.
  • Supplemental experience that strengthens an application includes emergency services backgrounds (fire, forest fire, search and rescue, EMS, health care, coast guard, law enforcement, military), post-secondary studies, trades, a second language, lifesaving certificates, and community involvement.
  • Hired candidates may be required to live within boundaries set by each individual department.

Official sources

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

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

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