City Guides / British Columbia
How to become a firefighter in Vancouver Airport (YVR)
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 Vancouver Airport Authority runs its own Fire and Rescue department at YVR and hires experienced, pre-certified candidates: recent related experience, NFPA 1001 Level II, and a BC Emergency Medical Assistant First Responder III licence are all listed qualifications, alongside a Class 3 BC licence with air brake endorsement. The hiring process is department-run and applicant-funded up front, with a written competency test, an in-hall skills assessment, a VO2 max and strength test, and an NFPA 1582 occupational medical examination, with fees reimbursed during probation. Because the work is on call, employees must live within a defined list of Lower Mainland communities as an ongoing condition of employment.
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
- Recent, related experience
The posting asks for recent, related experience, supplemented by completion of high school.
Prepare with roadmap step 2 - High school diploma or GED equivalentPrepare with roadmap step 2
- NFPA 1001 Level IIPrepare with roadmap step 5
- Emergency Medical Assistant First Responder IIIPrepare with roadmap step 3
- BC Class 3 licence with air brake endorsement
An equivalent licence from another jurisdiction is accepted at application, but successful candidates must convert to a BC Class 3 with air brakes within 6 months of hire at their own expense. A driver's abstract covering 6 years with fewer than 6 points is required.
Prepare with roadmap step 4
Required before hire
- VO2 max test result of at least 45 ml/kg/min plus strength tests
A certificate of fitness, preferably from SCIENCED Athletics in Burnaby, is required when requested. Physical testing also includes a deadlift, shoulder press, and hand grip assessment. The test fee is $250 plus GST, reimbursed during probation.
Prepare with roadmap step 13 - NFPA 1582 occupational medical examination
Completed with Fire Health Services Ltd. before an offer of employment; an existing certificate must be no older than 6 months. The assessment fee is $850, reimbursed during probation.
Prepare with roadmap step 13 - Police Information Check and updated driver's abstract
Provided at the panel interview and documents verification stage.
Prepare with roadmap step 14
Required at conditional job offer
- Residency within the approved Lower Mainland response area
Employees must live in a listed community with reasonable response time to the airport, from Squamish through Abbotsford. Ferry-dependent locations do not qualify. Residency is verified annually and is an ongoing condition of employment from the time of hiring.
Prepare with roadmap step 14
The hiring process
- 1
Application
Submitted through YVR's online careers system during the posted application window.
- 2
Written testing($100 (incl. tax), reimbursed during probation)
Competency assessment for the firefighter role.
- 3
In-hall assessment($100, reimbursed during probation)
Six skill stations assessed to EMA and NFPA job performance requirements: medical call simulations, hydrant, hose deployment, ladder skill, hose rolls, and SCBA.
- 4
Panel interview and documents verification
Structured panel interview with verification of licences, certifications, and education.
- 5
Physical testing($250 + GST, reimbursed during probation)
VO2 max treadmill test and strength tests (deadlift, shoulder press, hand grip).
- 6
Medical examination($850, reimbursed during probation)
NFPA 1582 occupational medical examination by Fire Health Services Ltd.
- 7
Fire Chief's interview
Conducted by the Fire Chief or designate with an HR representative, followed by reference checks.
- 8
Firefighter suitability assessment
Online assessment followed by an interview with a workplace psychologist.
- 9
Job offer
An eligibility list may be created for later hiring.
Worth knowing
- Applicants pay all assessment fees up front; the Airport Authority reimburses them during the 12 month probationary period, repayable if you leave voluntarily before completing probation.
- Recruitment runs periodically rather than continuously; the 2024 intake accepted applications from January 2 to 16, 2024.
- Ongoing conditions of employment include maintaining fitness, all security clearances and passes, and a clear criminal record check.
- Ability to travel outside Canada for extended training periods is listed as a qualification.
Official sources
Last verified 2026-07. Requirements change: the official posting always governs.
- Vancouver Airport Authority Firefighters posting (job code 22-161, archived)
- 2024 Vancouver Airport Fire and Rescue Application and Hiring Guide (PDF)
- YVR Fire and Rescue careers page
Semparo is not affiliated with or endorsed by Vancouver International Airport (YVR) Fire and Rescue or any testing vendor. This guide is independent preparation content.
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