City Guides / British Columbia
How to become a firefighter in Surrey
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.
Surrey hires entry-level and does not require NFPA 1001 certification: uncertified candidates instead complete the Surrey Fire Service Basic Firefighting Knowledge Course during the hiring process. The medical bar is a current BC EMA First Responder licence or higher (EMR, PCP, or ACP); OFA licensing is not accepted. You also need Grade 12, two years of accumulated post-high-school work experience, and a Class 3 or Class 1 licence with air brake endorsement at application. Selection runs through Surrey's own nine-station physical abilities test, a skills assessment, psychometric screening, and a panel interview, and typically happens once per year.
Entry-level hiring with no fire certifications required. The department trains recruits in-house. Medical certifications and driver licensing are the differentiators.
Requirements
Required at application
- Legally entitled to work in Canada
Canadian citizen or permanent resident (landed immigrant).
Prepare with roadmap step 2 - Grade 12 completion or equivalentPrepare with roadmap step 2
- Two years or more of accumulated work experience after high schoolPrepare with roadmap step 2
- Class 3 or Class 1 licence with air brake endorsement
Or equivalent for vehicles with more than two axles. Automatic transmission is accepted. A safe driving record is required, and all licences must be fully completed before you apply.
Prepare with roadmap step 4 - BC EMA First Responder licence or higher (EMR, PCP, ACP)
Must be a current licence issued by the BC EMA Licensing Board. OFA licensing is not accepted.
Prepare with roadmap step 3 - Fluency in English, written and verbalPrepare with roadmap step 2
Required before hire
- Driver's abstract
Requested at Stage 2 and reviewed against the City of Surrey's safe driving criteria.
Prepare with roadmap step 7 - Surrey Fire Service Basic Firefighting Knowledge Course or equivalent
An online course made available to candidates during the selection process. NFPA 1001 Level 1 or Level 2 with IFSAC or ProBoard certification is accepted as equivalent.
Prepare with roadmap step 5 - Vision standard
Minimum 20/100 vision combined uncorrected and 20/30 vision combined corrected, with colour and peripheral vision suitable to the position. Verified at the medical evaluation stage.
The hiring process
- 1
Online application
Submitted through surrey.ca/careers during the posted application period. Must be completed in one sitting.
- 2
Driver's abstract review
Shortlisted candidates submit an abstract for review against City policy.
- 3
Physical abilities testing and skills assessment
Nine timed stations including confined space, aerial climb, sled drag, ladder extension, tower climb, hose roll raise, hydrant kit carry, hose advance, and Storz roll carry. Requires a physician-completed medical evaluation beforehand. The skills assessment with fire hall drills and a short interview follows immediately.
- 4
Psychometric screening
Approximately four hours of testing covering learning ability, aptitudes, personality traits, and career interests. Coordinated through BL Associates; the non-refundable fee is the candidate's responsibility. Results from the past year may transfer for a reduced fee.
- 5
Surrey Fire Basic Knowledge Course
Completed by candidates who do not hold NFPA 1001 Firefighter I and II.
- 6
Panel interview
Behavioural interview with fire department management, Human Resources, and the IAFF Local 1271 executive. The interview stage takes 4 to 6 weeks.
- 7
Reference and police information checks
Professional references plus a Police Information Check with vulnerable sector check.
- 8
Conditional offer, medical evaluation, and First Responder Suitability Assessment(approx. $800 (medical))
The pre-employment medical costs around $800 at the candidate's expense. The FRSA includes written tests and an interview with a clinical psychologist at no cost.
Worth knowing
- NFPA 1001 certification is not required; the Surrey Fire Basic Knowledge Course covers the theory for uncertified candidates.
- OFA licensing is not accepted; only BC EMA Licensing Board licences qualify.
- Surrey typically runs one career firefighter hiring process per year and the full process can take up to 6 months.
- Candidates who interview unsuccessfully are often required to sit out a year before reapplying.
Official sources
Last verified 2026-07. Requirements change: the official posting always governs.
Semparo is not affiliated with or endorsed by Surrey Fire Service or any testing vendor. This guide is independent preparation content.
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