City Guides / Northwest Territories
How to become a firefighter in Yellowknife
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.
The Yellowknife Fire Division is a career department delivering fire, ambulance, and emergency response for the capital of the Northwest Territories, with specialized capabilities in automobile extrication, confined space, and water and ice rescue. Because firefighters also staff the ambulance service, the city's published minimums pair fire and medical credentials: NFPA 1001 Level 2 plus Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Primary Care Paramedic (PCP), CPR Level C, and ITLS Adult and Pediatric. A Northwest Territories Class 3 licence with air brake endorsement is required, and candidates must be physically fit with the ability to pass the CPAT.
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
- NFPA 1001 Level 2Prepare with roadmap step 5
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Primary Care Paramedic (PCP)Prepare with roadmap step 3
- CPR Level CPrepare with roadmap step 3
- ITLS Adult and ITLS PediatricPrepare with roadmap step 3
- Northwest Territories Class 3 licence with air brake endorsementPrepare with roadmap step 4
Required before hire
- Physically fit with the ability to pass the CPATPrepare with roadmap step 13
Worth knowing
- Firefighters work combined fire and ambulance duties; the division serves Yellowknife and the surrounding area.
- The city highlights training opportunities and educational enhancements for members working in a unique northern environment.
- Openings are posted with the City of Yellowknife's current job listings when the division is hiring.
Official sources
Last verified 2026-07. Requirements change: the official posting always governs.
- City of Yellowknife: Join Our Team (Yellowknife Fire Division)
- City of Yellowknife: Join Our Team (archived March 2026)
Semparo is not affiliated with or endorsed by Yellowknife Fire Division or any testing vendor. This guide is independent preparation content.
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