How to become a firefighter in Saint John

Verified GuideModel B: Come pre-certifiedDepartment-specific

Opens by posting

The recruitment page describes what to submit "when recruitment is open", so there is nothing to send in between competitions. Watch the page and the city careers listings for the next one.

Checked August 10, 2026 against the department's own page. Intake dates change without notice, so confirm there before you plan around this.

Working language

Saint John publishes no language requirement we could find. New Brunswick is officially bilingual, but that obliges the province rather than every municipal employer, and Saint John is a majority anglophone city. Ask the department directly if French matters to you either way.

This department does not publish a language requirement we could find, so the above describes the practical reality rather than a stated rule. Ask them directly before you rule yourself in or out.

Where are you starting from?

What you need

The credentials and documents Saint John requires before you can apply.

How hiring works here

Every stage Saint John 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 B: Come pre-certified
Fire certification before applying: NFPA 1001 Firefighter Level I and II (IFSAC or Pro Board); Hazardous Materials Operations level (IFSAC or Pro Board)
Medical requirement: Medical First Responder with CPR
Driver requirement: Valid driver's licence, minimum Class 5
Written test: None published
Physical test: Department-specific
Last verified: July 2026 · sources monitored daily for changes

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

Saint John hires pre-certified candidates as Holiday Relief Firefighters who replace permanent firefighters as needed. Applicants need Grade 12, NFPA 1001 Firefighter Level I and II with IFSAC or Pro Board accreditation, HazMat Operations level certification, and Medical First Responder with CPR. A Class 5 licence is the minimum at application, with Class 3E required within six months of employment. Selected candidates complete physical fitness and medical evaluations at their own expense, then a seven-to-eight-week paid training program at the Saint John Fire Service Training Centre and a 12-month probationary period before qualifying for the Holiday Relief Firefighter list.

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

Grade 12 or equivalent
A copy of the high school diploma must accompany the application.
Prepare with roadmap step 2
NFPA 1001 Firefighter Level I and II (IFSAC or Pro Board)
Copies of current certifications must accompany the application.
Prepare with roadmap step 5
Hazardous Materials Operations level (IFSAC or Pro Board)
Stated as: Hazardous Materials for First Responders Operations Level.
Prepare with roadmap step 5
Medical First Responder with CPR
Current Medical First Responder and CPR certification must accompany the application.
Prepare with roadmap step 3
Valid driver's licence, minimum Class 5
Successful candidates must obtain a Class 3E licence within 6 months of employment.
Prepare with roadmap step 4

The hiring process

Saint John hires through posted Holiday Relief Firefighter competitions, and there is nothing to submit between them. When a competition opens, apply through the online system with a resume and copies of your high school diploma and related post-secondary education, your NFPA 1001 Firefighter Level I and II certification with IFSAC or Pro Board accreditation, your current Medical First Responder and CPR certification, and your driver's licence, minimum Class 5. Also attach copies of any other certificates you mention in your resume, because the city asks for proof of every qualification you present.
Hazardous Materials for First Responders Operations level certification (IFSAC or Pro Board) is a required qualification, so have proof of it ready as well. If you hold Firefighter I and II without IFSAC or Pro Board accreditation, apply anyway: the department encourages these applicants and can help them navigate accreditation through the Firefighter Certification Program of New Brunswick, which runs equivalency testing through the Office of the Fire Marshal.
The 2025 competition (25-036) also required an intermediate oral proficiency level in English as determined by the Province of New Brunswick, and listed an annual salary of $55,151 to $80,219 under the collective agreement. That posting directed application upload problems to 506-658-2866 and accommodation requests to humanresources@saintjohn.ca.
Strong applications are complete on the first pass. Scan every document clearly and check that each certification is current before you upload, since an expired or missing document is the easiest way to fall out of a competition.
Department source for this stage
Read roadmap step 7 Review your Gap List Certification tracker
Candidates chosen for the selection process complete rigorous physical fitness and medical evaluations at their own expense. The city does not publish the cost, so budget for both and confirm the amounts with the department when you are invited.
The fitness assessment is the Canadian Forces Firefighter Physical, and the city links directly to the Canadian Forces fitness page for it. That page hosts an operations manual and a training booklet for the Firefighter Pre-Entry Fitness Evaluation, so download them and train the actual tasks rather than guessing at what the test involves.
The 2025 posting said the department gives applicants selected for the fitness assessment a chance to visit the training grounds and get familiar with the equipment before testing. Take that visit if it is offered, because handling the real equipment once removes most of the surprise on test day.
Arrive already conditioned instead of cramming in the final weeks. A steady base of strength work, loaded carries, and stair or hill conditioning transfers well to firefighter fitness evaluations.
Department source for this stage
Read roadmap step 13 Start a fitness program
Candidates who pass the preliminary evaluations attend a seven to eight week, full-time, paid, intensive training session at the Saint John Fire Service Training Centre. The city says candidates must make themselves available for all prescheduled components of the selection process, so clear your calendar for the full block before it starts.
The 2025 posting said a selected number of applicants are offered Holiday Relief Firefighter positions after successful completion, which means training is still part of the competition. Treat every drill, inspection, and classroom session as assessed, because it likely is.
Use this window to start on your Class 3E licence as well. Successful candidates must obtain it within six months of employment, and getting it done early removes a deadline from your probation year.
Department source for this stage
Read roadmap step 14 Academy preparation guide Start a fitness program
New hires serve a 12-month probationary period before qualifying for the Holiday Relief Firefighter list. Expect 24-hour shifts, weekends, holidays, and short-notice call-ins, since HRFFs replace permanent firefighters as needed.
HRFFs are casual employees but typically work full-time hours for about 11 months of the year depending on operational needs, and the 2025 posting said they are eligible for the employee benefits package. Plan your finances and availability around that pattern rather than a guaranteed full-time schedule.
Probation in a relief role is largely a reliability test. Answer call-ins promptly, keep the Class 3E licence requirement on track, and ask your officers for feedback early instead of waiting for a formal review.
Department source for this stage
Read roadmap step 14 Academy preparation guide Start a fitness program

Worth knowing

Entry is through the Holiday Relief Firefighter role, which backfills permanent firefighters as needed; HRFFs are casual employees but typically work full-time hours for approximately 11 months of the year depending on operational needs.
Fitness and medical evaluations are at the candidate's own expense.
The 2025 competition (25-036) listed an annual salary of $55,151 to $80,219 per the collective agreement and required an intermediate oral proficiency level in English as determined by the Province of New Brunswick.
Applicants holding Firefighter I and II without IFSAC or Pro Board accreditation are encouraged to apply; the SJFD assists candidates through the Firefighter Certification Program of New Brunswick.

Official sources

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

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

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