Paid On Call Firefighters

The Role of the Paid on Call Firefighter

The Surrey Fire Service uses a system that compensates our paid on call (POC) firefighters based on their attendance to calls and practices.

POC firefighters are based out of Fire Hall 8 located in the Cloverdale area of Surrey. After training, POC firefighters are notified through a mobile alerting system on their personal phones and asked to respond to their fire hall upon receiving notification.

As a POC firefighter, you may be asked to respond to a variety of emergency calls, including in support of structure fires. On occasion, you'll also be asked to participate in public education events.

Paid on Call Firefighter Commitment

The Surrey Fire Service is entrusted to protect the community we proudly serve. As a POC firefighter, you'll play an important role in providing a timely response to emergency situations, so we'll invest a great deal in your hiring, training and personal protective equipment. We have set service and participation standards for our POC firefighters. You'll be required to:

• Participate in a training and orientation program. During the course, you'll be evaluated and expected to meet minimum performance standards. The training usually takes place on Saturdays, but it sometimes may be necessary to train on a Sunday or even on both days of the weekend.
• Attend weekly practice nights at your hall, once cleared to do so. A minimum of 50% of your practice nights must be attended annually. Practice nights are held from 19:00 to 21:00 hours.
• Successfully complete a 6-month probationary period after completing your training program.
• Respond to a minimum of 30% of your emergency call-outs on an annual basis.
• Maintain an acceptable driving record and good community standing during the course of your employment.
• Refrain from engaging in any behaviour that might reflect poorly upon the Surrey Fire Service or the City of Surrey.

Required Qualifications

Note: the required qualifications have changed as of March 26, 2019.

To apply, you must:

• Grade 12 completion or equivalent.
• Valid Class 3 or Class 1 Driver's Licence with air brake endorsement or equivalent for vehicles with more than two axles (automatic transmission is accepted) and a safe driving record.
• Legally entitled to work in Canada (you must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident/Landed Immigrant).
• Fluency in English (written and verbal).
• Be physically and medically fit to perform the job of a firefighter according to the standards set in the National Fire Protection Association Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments (NFPA 1582).
• Consent to a criminal records check.

To be hired, you must:

• Pass a physical fitness assessment
• Pass a written exam.
• Participate in an interview.
• Pass a medical examination, which includes minimum visual and hearing requirements.
• Live or work within 2.5 kilometres corridor east or west of 176th Street/Hwy 15. Response locations will be Surrey Fire Hall #8 located at 17572 57th Avenue, Surrey Fire hall #14 at 2016 176th Street and Surrey Fire Hall #15 at 18915 64th Avenue. Practice location will be Surrey Fire Hall #8.

If a candidate wishes to use their work address, they will have to provide a letter from their employer certifying that they can respond to calls during regular hours of work.

Preferred Qualifications

These additional skills and experiences will enhance your application but do not replace the minimum qualifications:

• First aid training or EMA First Responder or EMA Emergency Medical Responder licensing
• Building construction or trade background.
• Fire-related courses or work history.
• NFPA 1001 certification
• Daytime availability. Be able to perform duties in a manner that upholds the high degree of public trust that the position holds.

How to Apply

Submit your application through Surrey Careers. If the section heading "Fire" cannot be found, it means we are not currently accepting applications. Please do not email your resume to individual members of the Surrey Fire Service

Learn more about becoming a Career Firefighter.