The application process for volunteer firefighters is designed to help candidates understand the degree of skill, commitment, and personal character required to be a successful volunteer firefighter and complete the required background check process required for this role.

Firefighters are reimbursed for their time responding to emergencies, training, and certain activities.

Scope of Position:

Perform firefighting and emergency response duties under the broad supervision of the Captains, Deputy District Chiefs and District Chiefs. Attend and participate in required training programs, lectures, exercises, practice drills, and other forms of training are an integral and ongoing part of the job.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Respond safely to emergency situations and calls for assistance 24 hours per day, 7 days per week in accordance with attendance policies.
• Protect people, the environment, and property from all types of actions and emergencies.
• Enter burning or contaminated buildings, structures, and other areas to perform rescues and / or fight fires while wearing appropriate firefighting equipment as supplied by the fire department, and as directed by incident command.
• Apply proper firefighting and / or rescue techniques needed to control and / or extinguish fires and extricate / remove people.
• Minimize distress and suffering, including giving first aid / CPR before ambulance crews arrive; safeguarding your own and other people’s personal safety at all times.
• Wear and properly use all appropriate equipment as supplied by the Norfolk County Fire Department.
• Operate and maintain all of the Norfolk County Fire Department’s equipment.
• Co-operate with the police, paramedics, or other agencies when required.
• Notify District Chief of fire code and life safety matters.
• Must maintain a high degree of confidentiality at all times.
• Refrain from disclosing information to the news media or other persons without authorization from the Fire Chief.
• Will respect and follow the chain of command and follow all orders of superior ranking department officers during training, emergency response, or station activities.
• Shall not participate in any fire service operations / activity while under the influence of alcohol, illegal substances, and / or prescription drugs which cause impairment.
• May be assigned to act in the capacity of a captain, when qualified as an officer candidate through the captain promotional policy.
• Work closely with the local community to increase their level of fire safety awareness in order to prevent fires and accidents from occurring.
• Work closely with the local community to increase their level of fire safety awareness in order to prevent fires and accidents from occurring.
• Educate and inform the public to help promote fire safety (ex. Hall tours, assisting in a fire safety education program, the smoke alarm program)
• Communicate appropriately in accordance with established guidelines.
• May make recommendations to their company officer regarding operational procedures and equipment maintenance.
• Drive and operate firefighting and emergency equipment, as well as personal vehicles, safely and in accordance with policies and applicable legislation.
• Attend training sessions to maintain and upgrade firefighting skills in accordance with established policies and operational guidelines, and meet attendance requirements.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Mental Effort:

• Should be able to cope with a high level of stress, and perform all duties efficiently in an emergency situation.

Physical Activity:

• Maintain a level of physical fitness necessary to carry out all the duties of a firefighter

Working Conditions:

• Manual work of a hazardous nature involving the fighting of fires, rescue work, and patient care that is generally performed under the direct supervision of fire officers.
• May involve working on weekends, holidays, and in all types of weather conditions

Requirements

Knowledge and Experience:

• Work in accordance with established policies, operational guidelines (such as the Occupational Health and Safety Act), and any other relevant legislation or orders.

Skills and Abilities:

• The ability to deal with the public in a polite, sympathetic and efficient manner, regardless of how frustrating or unnerving the situation may be.
• The volunteer firefighter should be able to speak in a clear, articulate manner.
• The ability, if required, to make decisions and work without supervision until an officer arrives on scene.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid CPR (HCP level) and standard first-aid qualification.
• Within 30 months of date of hire, the ability to obtain and maintain a valid Ontario Class “D” driver license with the airbrake endorsement (Z).
• Required to complete NFPA Firefighter training and certification based on legislation and timelines

Benefits

Posting #: VFF 3.25

Position: Volunteer Firefighter (up to 22 positions)

Division: Emergency and Social Services

Department: Fire

Location: Norfolk County - Hiring is for station locations: Stn #2 Port Dover, Stn #3 Waterford, Stn #4 Teeterville, Stn #6 Courtland, Stn #7 Langton, Stn #8 Fairground, Stn #9 Port Rowan, Stn #10 St. Williams and Stn #11 Vittoria.

Reports To: Captains, Deputy District Chiefs and District Chiefs

Posting Period: June 12, 2025 – August 29, 2025

How to Apply:

IMPORTANT: Do not submit your application on this platform. In order to have your application considered please utilize the below link to access the required application instructions, documentation, process for submission and associated deadlines or the information can be located on Norfolk County Fire Service website www.norfolkcountyfire.ca:

Volunteer Fire Fighter Application and Recruitment Process (https://norfolkcountyfire.ca/recruitment/)

The Corporation of Norfolk County is an equal opportunity employer. Accessibility accommodations are available for all parts of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.

The above position description reflects the principle functions and duties as required for proper evaluation of the job. Other transient, emergency and unplanned duties can only be considered part of the job if they directly relate to these principle functions contained herein. No employee shall refuse to perform the aforesaid transient, emergency and unplanned duties.