A career with the Kitchener Fire Department gives you the opportunity to work with a team that keeps our community and neighbourhoods safe.
On this page:
About Kitchener Fire
Our team is made up of over 200 people and responds to more than 15,000 calls a year.
Learn more about Kitchener Fire
Why join Kitchener Fire
Kitchener firefighters are skilled professionals who take pride in serving our community. We provide essential services through these lines of defence:
- public fire education programs for residents of all ages and business owners
- educating the community on and promoting fire prevention, including inspections and enforcement
- learning new firefighting tactics to suppress fires through experience and training in rescue techniques, medical emergency procedures, controlling hazardous materials and more
How to get started
Find out if you qualify
To become a firefighter with Kitchener Fire, you must:
- be a graduate of the pre-service Firefighter Education and Training Program or NFPA 1001 - Firefighter I & II certified;
- have successfully completed all three stages of the Ontario Fire Administration Inc. Candidate Testing Service;
- have a valid and current First Aid and CPR certificate (Level C Standard);
- have an outstanding employment record;
- have the ability to support and project values compatible with the organization;
- have strong communication, interpersonal and customer service skills.
- be committed to work in a team environment
If we hire you, you must supply proof of:
- valid Class "DZ" driver's license deemed acceptable by the City of Kitchener
- satisfactory police records check, including the Vulnerable Sector Screening deemed acceptable by the City of Kitchener.
Improve your application
Consider these areas to improve your application:
- Certified Firefighter or Certified Career Firefighter through the Ontario Fire Marshal (Components 1, 2, 3 testing or equivalent)
- previous firefighter experience (professional or volunteer)
- previous related work experience
- certified trade training or experience
- knowledge of Firefighting equipment, terminology and practice
- demonstrated community service involvement
- other relevant specialized training/qualifications
Firefighters are active in the following areas:
- community service
- community education
- continuing education in all firefighting aspects
Apply for a job
Check our job opportunities page to see if we are hiring.
Candidate testing
We use the Ontario Fire Administration (OFAI)’s candidate testing program to assess potential firefighters. Learn more on the OFAI website.
Female firefighter program
Our goal is to educate and empower young women about careers in firefighting. Through hands-on applications, we hope to show that a career in the fire service is a viable and attainable option.
Kitchener Fire staff lead the female firefighter program on a volunteer basis.
Kitchener Fire Camp Female Firefighter in Training (FFIT)
The camp is open to young women 15 to 19 years old interested in learning more about a future career in the Fire Service. Kitchener Fire Camp FFIT provides participants with first-hand knowledge of the duties of a firefighter while developing emergency preparedness skills.
Kitchener Fire Camp FFIT is four days of physically and mentally demanding, hands-on learning, modelled after similar camps that have been conducted elsewhere in the province and initially developed by the Ottawa Fire Department. This program is to help educate and empower young women regarding careers in the fire service and is supported by Fire Service Women Ontario, The City of Kitchener and Conestoga College Pre-Service Fire Program.
Applications for Camp 2025 will open in March 2025. Check back later this year for more information.
Open the accordions below to learn more about the camp. Send us an email if you have any questions.
| Camp dates - 2025 |
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Camp runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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| Location |
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Waterloo Region Emergency Services Training and Research Centre 1001 Erbs Road Waterloo, Ontario N2J 3Z4 |
| Training included |
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All Kitchener Fire Camp FFIT activities will be led and supervised by qualified firefighters. Training includes:
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| Medical and fitness considerations |
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The physical demands of a firefighter are characterized by strength, endurance, coordination, agility, and dexterity. Participants of Kitchener Fire Camp FFIT will experience a lesser version of the physical and mental stressors a firefighter may endure at any given time. All activities take place in a supervised and controlled environment. Tasks are broken down into manageable segments to avoid overloading the body. An individual may choose not to participate if at any time they do not feel comfortable, and instructors will provide additional support and direction. Instructors will stop activities if at any time there appears to be any risk of injury or danger. To maintain a safe and productive environment, proper rest, hydration, and nutrition will be scheduled during the camp, and should be continued at home during the Kitchener Fire Camp FFIT. The following is a list of factors that will increase the difficulty of the physical and mental demands that are required during tasks:
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| Application requirements |
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Notice of acceptance |
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Kitchener Fire Camp FFIT has a limited number of spaces available. Due to a large number of applications, successful applicants will be contacted by email by May 2025, to confirm placement. All other applicants will be contacted by email and informed if they have been selected to be placed on a waitlist. |