Firefighter Recruitment

Applicants for the position of Firefighter MUST: 

• Be at least 18 years of age. 
• Be a resident of the Town of Lincoln or reside within a close proximity to Lincoln’s municipal boundaries, and/or work full-time in Lincoln.
• Possess a valid Ontario driver’s licence at a class “G” level or greater at the time of application, with a good driving record. 
  • Candidates will be required to produce a current Ministry of Transportation driver’s abstract. 
• Have no previous criminal convictions for which a pardon has not been granted. 
  • Candidates will be required to undergo a police records check 
• Be medically fit to perform the duties of firefighter. 
  • Candidates will be required to produce a Volunteer Firefighter Medical Evaluation Report from their physician. 
• Be physically fit to perform the duties of firefighter. 
  • Candidates will be required to successfully complete a version of  the Fire Ontario Firefighter Screening Service Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). 
• Have a reliable means of transportation to respond to alarms. 
• Able to respond to 25% of emergency calls. 
• Meet the attendance requirements of the fire department training program. 
  • Currently, 53 hours of regularly scheduled training annually 

The following are not required, but will be considered definite assets: 

• Availability to respond to emergency calls Monday to Friday during daytime hours. 
• Current Standard First Aid and/or Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificates. 
• Class A, B, C, or D Ontario driver’s license, preferably with “Z” endorsement. 
• Previous firefighting experience. 
• Related training or experience. (medical, skilled trades, coaching, etc.) 

1. Attend an Information Session (attendance is a mandatory component of the recruitment application)

• No registration required.  Simply attend the session that is most convenient for you during the scheduled dates 
• The Information Sessions include a short presentation on what the job of a volunteer firefighter involves and an overview of the firefighter recruitment process 
• There is an opportunity to tour the fire station, view the fire trucks and equipment, talk to firefighters informally, and have any questions answered 
• Application forms for the position of Volunteer Firefighter will be available ONLY at each of the Information Sessions 

2. Complete & Submit Application 

• Completed Application Form for the position of Volunteer Firefighter,  will only be accepted for those that attend an information session. 

3. Aptitude Appraisal 

• Applicants who meet the minimum eligibility requirements will be invited to advance to the Aptitude Appraisal stage of the recruitment process. 
• The Aptitude Appraisal will be scheduled for qualified candidates. 
• Consists of 50 multiple choice questions designed to measure the following fundamental skills essential to the job of firefighting. 
  • Ability to understand written and/or verbal information. 
  • Technical and mechanical skills. 
  • Reading, reasoning, judgment, orientation and mathematical skills. 
• Applicants must achieve a passing grade of 70% or greater on the Aptitude Appraisal to be considered for advancement to the next stage of the recruitment process. 

4. Interview  

• The information contained in each Application for the Position of Volunteer Firefighter, as well as the Aptitude Appraisal scores will be considered in order for candidates to advance to the next stage of the recruitment process, an interview. 
• Interviews will be scheduled. 
• The interview panel will consider applicant’s knowledge, skills, and abilities to select suitable candidates to advance to the next stage of the hiring process. 

5. Eligibility Verification  

• Candidate is financially responsible to obtain and submit a current Driver’s Abstract from the Ministry of Transportation. 
• Candidate is financially responsible to complete a police records check and vulnerable sector search.  The candidate will submits a Clearance Certificate from the Niagara Regional Police Service. 
• Candidate is financially responsible to obtain and submit a completed Volunteer Firefighter Medical Evaluation Criteria to his/her physician.   
• Candidate required to complete the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) at Fire Ontario in St. Catharines, Ontario.  The CPAT assesses the candidate’s physical ability to perform the normal tasks required of firefighter.  The CPAT consists of the following components: 
  • Stair Climb 
  • Hose Drag 
  • Equipment Carry 
  • Ladder Raise and Extension 
  • Search 
  • Rescue 
  • Ceiling Breach and Pull 
  • Forcible Entry 
  • Acrophobia Test (in addition to the CPAT) 
  • Emotional Stability and Resiliency Testing

It is strongly recommended that candidates visit the Fire Ontario Firefighter Screening Services website for information about preparing for the CPAT. 

Selected applicants may make one attempt at the required version of the CPAT at the Town of Lincoln's expense.  

The selected version of the CPAT will be schedueled for those who qualify. 

Only the Fire Ontario Physical Ability Tests completed on the date of testing scheduled by the Town of Lincoln will be accepted.  CPATs, or any other physical abilities tests completed on different dates, or from other institutions will not be accepted. 

6. Appointment 

• Qualified candidates who best fulfil the needs of Niagara West Fire and Emergency Services will be offered positions as Probationary Firefighters in late April. 
• The mandatory start date for new firefighters will be the weekend of May 3 to 5, 2024. 
• Other qualified candidates may be placed on a wait list to fill future vacancies. 
• Candidates who accept a position as a Probationary Firefighter with Niagara West Fire and Emergency Services are required to sign a Volunteer Firefighter Service Agreement, and hired on a probationary basis for a period of one calendar year. 

Niagara West Fire and Emergency Services is committed to a philosophy of life-long learning. Our training program is essential to the success of our department.  Active participation in the training program by all firefighting staff ensures that our team works effectively, efficiently, and most importantly safely! 

• Newly hired firefighters undergo a comprehensive recruit training program. 
• In addition to training in firefighting techniques, firefighters also receive instruction and certification in first aid, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), airway management, oxygen therapy, and defibrillation. 
• The Niagara West Fire and Emergency Services training program follows the NFPA 1001 Firefighter Level 1 and Level 2 Program, identified by the Office of the Fire Marshall. 
• In order to maintain an acceptable level of knowledge and skills proficiency, there is a requirement to attend at least 53 hours of training annually. 
• Personnel meet each week for equipment checks and training between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. 
  • Stations 61 and 63 meet every Tuesday evening . 
  • Stations 62 and 64 meet every Thursday evening. 
• In addition to the regular weekly training schedule, an abundance of opportunities to participate in additional training courses and activities arise on an ongoing basis. 

• All personnel are fully outfitted in personal protective equipment including a helmet, bunker gear (firefighting coat and pants), boots, gloves, etc.  
  • All safety equipment is supplied by the Town of Lincoln. 
• Each firefighter is issued a pager to be alerted of emergency calls. 
• All personnel must be capable and comfortable wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus. 
  • Due to health and safety regulations regarding self-contained breathing apparatus, firefighters may NOT have beards or excessive facial hair. 
  • This is a condition of employment as a Volunteer Firefighter with the Town of Lincoln.