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City Guides / Alberta

How to become a firefighter in Strathcona County

Pattern-mapped
Model C: Paramedic-first
Department-specific
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.

Strathcona County hires Firefighter/Paramedics on a paramedic-first model: registration with the Alberta College of Paramedics as an Advanced Care Paramedic or Primary Care Paramedic is required at application, along with a valid Class 4 licence with no more than six demerits. NFPA 1001 Level I and II certification is preferred but is provided to successful candidates, and a Class 3 licence with air brake endorsement must be obtained before the probationary year ends. Candidates complete the University of Alberta Firefighter Physical Fitness test ($399 plus GST, reimbursable if hired), a 2-hour written aptitude and knowledge exam, OSCE-style medical knowledge testing, and a panel interview, in a process that runs about six months from the annual application window.

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

Application window

March 1 to 31, 2026 (most recent posted window)

Requirements

Required at application

  • Registered ACP or PCP with the Alberta College of Paramedics

    Registered Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) or registered Primary Care Paramedic (PCP), required upon application.

    Prepare with roadmap step 3
  • Valid Class 4 licence with no more than six demerits
    Prepare with roadmap step 4

Required before hire

Preferred assets

  • NFPA 1001 Level I and II (preferred)
    Preferred asset

    Preferred at application but provided to successful candidates after hire.

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The hiring process

  1. 1

    Application submission

    During the posted application window.

  2. 2

    Pre-employment firefighter physical fitness assessment

  3. 3

    Aptitude and knowledge test

    A 2-hour written exam.

  4. 4

    Medical knowledge testing

    OSCE-style stations.

  5. 5

    Panel interview

  6. 6

    Letter of conditional offer

  7. 7

    Pre-placement medical examination

Worth knowing

  • The recruitment process takes approximately six months, with 8 to 10 positions in the 2026 intake.
  • A Class 3 licence with air brake endorsement must be obtained before the probationary year ends.
  • Emergency Services follows pre-placement NFPA medical guidelines and is strict about tobacco use, which is treated as a Category A medical condition.
  • A separate posting for Advanced Care Paramedics with firefighting experience was open with an application deadline of August 2, 2026.

Official sources

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

Semparo is not affiliated with or endorsed by Strathcona County Emergency Services or any testing vendor. This guide is independent preparation content.

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