How to become a firefighter in Ottawa Airport (YOW)

Pattern-mapped

Model B: Come pre-certified

CPAT

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 Ottawa International Airport Authority runs the ARFF service at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier and hires pre-certified firefighters: Grade 12, NFPA 1001 Levels 1 and 2 with IFSAC or ProBoard certificates provided at application, NFPA 1072 (472) Operations level, and Standard First Aid with CPR HCP/BLS are all essential qualifications. Candidates need a CPAT completed within the last twelve months and an Ontario Class DZ or Class 3 licence, and successful hires complete the authority's Airport Fire Fighter qualifying program to the NFPA 1003 standard. A Transport Canada Restricted Area Identity Card security clearance, an AVOP D permit, and a radio operator certificate follow after hire.

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

Legally entitled to work in Canada
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Ontario Secondary School Diploma (Grade 12) or academic equivalent
Supporting document required.
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NFPA 1001 Levels 1 and 2
A copy of IFSAC or ProBoard certificates must be provided at time of application.
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NFPA 1072 (472) Operations level
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Valid Standard First Aid
Supporting documentation required.
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CPR level Health Care Provider (HCP) / Basic Life Support (BLS)
Supporting documentation required.
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CPAT completed within the last twelve months
Documented proof of a successfully completed CPAT, or equivalent (military firefighter annual test), within the last 12 months.
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Ontario Class DZ or Class 3 licence
Or the equivalent from another province, along with a driver's abstract issued within the last month.
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Required at conditional job offer

Airport Fire Fighter qualifying program (NFPA 1003 standard)
Successful candidates must be able to participate in and complete the authority's qualifying program to the NFPA 1003 standard.
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Security clearance for an Airport Restricted Area Identity Card (RAIC)
Plus the airport's Airside Vehicle Operator Permit (AVOP D) and a Restricted Radio Operator's Certificate, both within 90 days of hire.
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Preferred assets

NFPA 1003, 1002, 1041, or 1021 Level 1 qualifications
Preferred asset
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Emergency Medical Responder certification
Preferred asset
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Bilingualism (English and French)
Preferred asset
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Worth knowing

The 2024 posting listed a salary of $109,279 per year under the collective agreement, with new recruits paid 70 percent for the first six months, 80 percent for the next six, and 90 percent for the following twelve.
Applications go by resume to the authority's careers email rather than through a testing agency; the 2024 competition closed May 8, 2024, and a further firefighter competition was posted in January 2026.
Current annual live fire certification per Canadian Aviation Regulations requirements and demonstrated community or volunteer involvement are listed as assets.

Official sources

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

Semparo is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ottawa International Airport Fire and Rescue Service or any testing vendor. This guide is independent preparation content.

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