Paid-on-Call Firefighter Recruitment

• Make a meaningful impact in your community
• Receive industry-recognized training at no cost
• Join a team that values professionalism, safety, and camaraderie
• Gain experience in a challenging and rewarding environment
• Build lasting friendships and take pride in your contributions

• Must be at least 18 years old (Candidates between 16 and 18 years old may be considered for our junior program where capacity allows)

• Must live within eight minutes of travel from either of our Parkland County Fire Stations:

• • Acheson Fire Station
    • 11350 - 274 St, Acheson, AB T7X 2P9
  • Parkland Village Fire Station
    • 18-53222 Rge Rd 272, Parkland Village
  • or within 15 minutes of travel from either of the following Parkland County Fire Stations in:
    • Tomahawk Fire Station
      • 4902-50 Ave, Tomahawk, AB
    • West Central Fire Station
      • 4820 - 52 Ave, Wabamun, AB
        
        
• Valid Class 5 Driver’s Licence
  
  
• Current satisfactory driving record (fewer than 6 demerits) included with your application
  
  
• Criminal Record Check, including Vulnerable Sector Check prior to start
  
  
• Ability to meet minimum attendance requirements for weekly training sessions and emergency calls
  
  
• Ability to commit to the recruit training program typically consisting of one or two weeknight evenings and up to two weekends per month
  
  
• Commitment to a team environment and strong communication skills

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Responding to calls for emergencies including:
  • Motor vehicle collisions
  • Vehicle or structure fires
  • Wildland/urban interface fires
  • Alarms
  • Hazardous materials or dangerous goods
  • Medical aid
• Participating in weekly training nights:
  • Wabamun trains weekly on Monday night
  • Acheson and Parkland Village train weekly on Tuesday night
  • Tomahawk trains weekly on Thursday night
• Maintaining fire apparatus and equipment
• Performing maintenance and housekeeping duties at the fire station
• Participating in community activities
• Participating in fire prevention activities

Working Conditions

While working as a paid-on-call firefighter, you will be exposed to challenging environmental, physical, and emotional situations. Some of these will include:

• Being called on to respond to emergencies at any time of the day or night, including weekends and holidays
• Being called on to respond to emergencies in any weather
• Performing tasks while wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE), including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
• Working quickly to extinguish fires in extreme heat with limited or zero visibility
• Experiencing physically demanding tasks in extreme temperatures
• Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, raising and lowering heavy equipment and loads
• Working in hazardous areas that could be hot, wet, slippery, muddy, icy, dirty and cramped
• Working in very loud environments
• Working from heights
• Working on and around moving machinery, vehicles, and equipment
• Being exposed to a variety of hazards
• Dealing with critically injured and/or sick patients
• Dealing with high-stress situations
• Having to effectively deal with various levels of physical and mental strain

Submit Your Application (September 2 to October 3, 2025)

Apply online through the Parkland County careers portal during open firefighter recruitment, typically in fall of each year.

Written Aptitude Test (October 14 - 15, 2025)

Applicants who pass the first vetting must complete the NFSI aptitude test, which assesses reading comprehension, mechanical reasoning, and problem-solving. Click here to view sample questions and study guides.

Interview (November 3 - 7, 2025) 

A panel interview will assess your readiness, motivation, and fit for the team.

Medical Clearance

A licenced health care provider must complete the required form to confirm your ability to perform the duties of a firefighter.

Background Checks

Includes a Criminal Record Check and review of your Driver’s Abstract as well as reference checks.

Job Offer/Acceptance

If selected to become a paid-on-call firefighter, you will be contacted with a verbal then written employment offer. Once accepted to the program, please note that recruit orientation training will begin mid-December. Specific communications and safety and PPE will continue throughout January. 

Recruit Training Program 

Successful candidates will attend an orientation session and then begin the formal recruit training program throughout the first year.

Recruit Graduation

At the end of your first year of training, we host a firefighter recruit graduation to celebrate your accomplishments. It’s a proud milestone for both you and our fire service, recognizing your hard work and commitment.

What is a paid on-call firefighter?

Paid-on-call firefighters are trained professionals who respond to emergencies in their community as needed. You are compensated for training, calls, and time, but it is not a full-time role and doesn’t follow a set shift schedule.

Who can apply to be a paid-on-call firefighter?

Anyone who is 18 years old or older (or 16 plus for our Junior Firefighter Program) and lives within the response area of one of our stations (Acheson, Parkland Village, Wabamun, or Tomahawk) is eligible to apply. A valid Alberta Class 5 Driver’s Licence is required, along with a current Driver’s Abstract, Criminal Record Check (including Vulnerable Sector Check), and a signed medical clearance form by a health care practitioner.

Do I need prior experience or training?

No previous firefighting experience is required. We provide all necessary training at no cost to you.

Can I apply if I work full time or have other obligations?

Yes! Many of our firefighters balance full-time jobs, family responsibilities, or school. We ask for a reasonable commitment to training and emergency calls.

What kind of training will I receive?

Recruits begin with a structured training program that includes classroom learning, practical skills sessions, and hands-on drills. Training topics include fire behavior, hose handling, ladders, rescue techniques, medical first response, hazardous materials awareness, and more.

If you meet all training and attendance requirements throughout the year, you’ll be eligible to receive your NFPA 1001 Level 1 Firefighter Certification and Level 2 the following year.

What would the typical time commitment look like for a new recruit?

New recruits should plan to attend weekly evening training, along with scheduled recruit training weekends during the initial training phase. Once you are cleared for operations you will begin responding to emergency calls.

While the role is flexible and designed to accommodate other responsibilities, regular participation in both training and call response is essential for your developing your skills and remaining active as a firefighter.

What are the minimum attendance requirements?

In order to maintain skills, all firefighters are required to attend a minimum of 50% of the weekly evening training (two of the four per month) and 25% of the emergency calls and monthly truck checks.

How many emergency calls does a station attend to on average?

• Acheson and Parkland Village – 300 calls per year
• Wabamun – 150 calls per year
• Tomahawk – 60 calls per year

What if I’m already a trained firefighter?

We welcome applicants with prior firefighter training or certification. All applicants, regardless of experience, are still required to complete our orientation and onboarding to learn about Parkland County Fire Services’ policies, procedures and equipment.

Once this is complete, we will schedule a skills assessment to evaluate your abilities and ensure alignment with our operational standards. Depending on the outcome of the assessment, you may be able to enter the system as a trained firefighter without needing to repeat the full recruit training program.

What is the National Firefighter Selection Inventory (NFSI) aptitude test?

This is a standardized written test assessing reading, mechanical reasoning, and situational judgment. You can find sample questions and study guides here. 

Is there a physical fitness requirement?

Parkland County Fire Services does not currently require a formal physical fitness test, but firefighting is physically demanding. Applicants should be in good health and capable of safely performing strenuous tasks.

What is the Medical Clearance Form?

All applicants must submit a Medical Clearance Form completed by a licensed health care provider, confirming your ability to perform the duties of a firefighter. This form will be provided during the recruitment process.

What kind of calls will I respond to?

You may respond to:

• Structure, wildland, and industrial fires
• Motor vehicle collisions
• Medical aid
• Public assistance and community events

What equipment or gear do I need to buy?

None. All required gear and PPE are provided by Parkland County Fire Services at no cost.

Is this a pathway to a career in firefighting?

For some, joining Parkland County Fire Services is a stepping stone toward a full-time career in firefighting or other emergency response roles. The training and experience you gain here can be a valuable asset if you choose to pursue that path.

However, many of our members are happy serving as paid-on-call firefighters alongside their full-time jobs or other commitments. It’s a meaningful way to contribute to your community while building skills, confidence, and camaraderie.

There are also many career paths within fire services beyond frontline firefighting, including fire prevention and inspection, public education, training and instruction, emergency management, and more. Whether you’re looking for a long-term career path or a rewarding way to give back, this role can open doors in many directions.

Submit your application during our next open recruitment period through the Parkland County Careers Portal.