City of Windsor Firefighter Recruitment FAQ

When is the next recruitment period?
What are the duties of a Firefighter position with Windsor Fire and Rescue Services Department?
How often does the Windsor Fire and Rescue Services Department hire for positions of Firefighter?
What are the qualifications/requirements needed to be eligible to apply?
What other education/skills are considered an asset?
What is the rate of pay?
How are Firefighter positions advertised?
How do I apply (application process)?
Can I attach resumes, certificates, and additional information to my application?
How often can I update my application?
What tests are involved in the recruitment process, and who administers the tests?
What is involved in each of the testing requirements?
I have completed some of the required tests previously. Do I have to take the test again?
How will I know if I passed the tests/assessment?
Can I bring another person to the physical test as moral support or for other reasons?
What is involved in the Initial Shortlist Process?
What is involved in the interview process?
What happens after the Interview?
What is involved in the processing of my Offer of Employment?
What is involved in the payroll documentation process?
What is involved in the probationary period of the new employee?
Will orientation be provided?

When is the next recruitment period?

For specific dates related to active recruitments and information on the process, please review the Firefighter Recruitment - General Information page.

What are the duties of a Firefighter position with the Windsor Fire & Rescue Services?

Reporting to a captain of the Windsor Fire & Rescue Services, this position:

Responds in all types of weather and other less-than-ideal conditions to fire, rescue, hazardous materials emergencies, medical emergencies, motor vehicle accidents and other emergencies as assigned
Enters burning or contaminated buildings, structures and other areas to stabilize or control emergencies and/or perform rescues
Renders first aid, performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and applies semi-automatic defibrillation to persons requiring these services
Must be able to lift various medical supplies, victims of unknown weight, tools, hoses, fire extinguishers and various firefighting equipment as required.
Drives fire apparatus as assigned
Performs clean-up of site, firefighting apparatus and equipment as well as areas of the fire station
Assists in salvage operations, fire prevention inspections, public education activities and other fire department programs where required
Will be required to attend regular training sessions to practise existing and new firefighting skills, rescue methods, fire prevention or other specialized procedures
Attends court and conducts station tours
Participates in public relations projects involving visits and demonstrations, fire equipment, apparatus and techniques as a requirement of the position
Will perform Occupational Health & Safety duties as outlined in the corporation’s Health and Safety Program
Will perform other related duties as required

The nature of firefighting is such that there are periods of complete inactivity mixed with periods of physical and mental preparation and periods of moderate to intense physical work. The frequency of calls and duration of work episodes will vary considerably from shift to shift and from station to station. The Firefighter must, however, be prepared at all times for the most demanding of situations, as they may arise at any moment.

How often does the Windsor Fire and Rescue Services Department hire for positions of Firefighter?

Generally, a new Firefighter Recruitment is initiated based on the need and subject to budget approval. Vacant positions are a result of attrition; therefore, it is not always known how many positions will become available from year to year and during a given recruitment period.

What are the qualifications/requirements needed to apply?

At time of application, an applicant must be eighteen years of age or older;
At time of application, an applicant must be legally entitled to work in Canada (for example, Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, Legal Permanent Residence, Birth Certificate or Landed Immigration documentation);
At time of application, an applicant must possess an Ontario Secondary School graduation diploma or Ontario Ministry of Education equivalency;
At time of application, an applicant must provide proof of a current valid and lawful Class 'D' driver's licence (or higher) with 'Z' endorsement in accordance with the Highway Traffic Act, for the purposes of operating a City of Windsor vehicle and provide a driver's abstract as a condition of employment; and
At time of application, an applicant is required to have a valid and current Standard First Aid and Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate or equivalent from an approved provider.

What other education/skills are considered an asset?

Post-secondary education from a university or community college in firefighting or other course(s) in the field of skilled trades, construction or technical rescue may be considered an asset.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) certification and courses may be considered an asset.

What is the rate of pay?

Successful applicants are hired as “Probationary Firefighters” and will be required to complete a 12-month probationary period as per the Windsor Professional Firefighters Association (W.P.F.F.A.) collective agreement. Once the employee has completed the 12-month probationary period and is confirmed in the position of Firefighter, he/she will be classified as a 3rd Class Firefighter. Performance appraisals will be conducted thereafter on an annual basis.

Bi-weekly wages are based on 42 hours of work and are subject to change based on the terms of the W.P.F.F.A. Collective Agreement.

Currently, the following represents the bi-weekly rate of pay for Probationary Firefighters (salary schedule 2024):

Firefighter – Probationary – 1st 6 months, $2,678.88 bi-weekly
Firefighter – Probationary – 2nd 6 months, $2,884.95 bi-weekly
Firefighter – 3rd Class (completion of probationary period) $3,297.08 bi-weekly

How are Firefighter positions advertised?

The City of Windsor advertises vacancies as follows:

Continuously through the City of Windsor website, for the duration of the period in which applications are being accepted. During the recruitment period, go to our Current Job Postings page and click on the posting referencing the Firefighter advertisement.
Through approximately 20 outreach agencies such as the University of Windsor, Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County, St. Clair College, UHC - Hub of Opportunities (Unemployed Help Centre), YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association), W.E.S.T. (Women's Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc.), C.N.I.B. (Canadian National Institute for the Blind), CoachWorx Employment Solutions, etc.

How do I apply (application process)?

In order to apply for the Firefighter Recruitment, applications will only be accepted online for the period of application availability as indicated in the table referenced under Firefighter Recruitment - General Information. Once candidates have completed the online application form, please proceed to the Testing Registration (Firefighter Services of Ontario) to book your appointment. The deadline to book an appointment is 11:59PM EST on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. Appointments are first-come, first-served.

Can I attach resumes, certificates, and additional information to my application?

The City of Windsor has an online application process for the Firefighter Recruitment. The application process does not require submission of resumes, certificates, or other additional information until required later in the process. The City of Windsor will provide eligible applicants with an identification number once the posting closes, which will be used to identify and track your progress through this recruitment.

How often can I update my application?

The City of Windsor utilizes an online application process wherein no paper documentation is provided. As such, the City of Windsor will not allow updates to the information applicants provide at time of submission. There are no exceptions to this rule.

What tests are involved in the recruitment process, and who administers the tests?

Applicants will be required to attend Firefighter Services of Ontario (FSO) to participate in the FSO Screening. Applicants can attend any date, provided they have their screening completed on or before November 16, 2025.

The FSO Screening Test will include all of the following components:

Medical Examination (vision and hearing)
Clinical Assessment
Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)
Aptitude Examination
Tread Water Test
Acrophobia Test
Emotional Stability and Resiliency Assessment (ESR)

Applicants must register for one of the dates scheduled for this recruitment process by visiting Testing Registration (Firefighter Services of Ontario). The deadline to register is 11:59PM EST on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.

All screening must be completed by the last testing date, November 16, 2025. Please note that fee schedules and specifics related to the Firefighter testing components can be subject to change as determined by the City of Windsor.

Please refer to the Firefighter Recruitment - General Information page for details related to the current recruitment process. Failure to pass any of the test components in the current competition does not preclude an applicant from applying to future competitions.

What is involved in each of the testing requirements?

Please refer to Testing Registration (Firefighter Services of Ontario) for details of each of the testing requirements.

Please refer to the Firefighter Recruitment - General Information page for details related to the current recruitment process.

I have completed some of the required tests previously. Do I have to take the test again?

For candidates who successfully completed the core four tests in one day (Clinical Assessment, Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), Tread Water, and Aptitude), on or after November 16, 2024, you would be required to successfully complete:

Clinical Assessment (if expired, valid for 6 months)
Medical, Acrophobia, and/or Emotional Stability and Resiliency Assessment (if expired, valid for 1 year)

Please contact info@fireontario.com to confirm your eligibility.

How will I know if I passed the tests/assessment?

Test results for individual candidates will be provided by Firefighter Services of Ontario at the end of the candidate’s appointment. Test results will not be provided to candidates by telephone or in writing. If you have any concerns, please contact info@fireontario.com by email.

What is involved in the Initial Shortlist Process?

Those applicants who have successfully passed all the preliminary tests/assessments will be asked to submit a detailed resume for review. At this time, there will be an administrative fee required from candidates to make a payment to the Corporation of the City of Windsor (as noted in the Fee Schedule approved in the 2025 budget process) of $50 per application for the Firefighter recruitment process.

Once resumes are evaluated, applicants will be selected to proceed to the interview process.

A Human Resources representative will contact the applicant if he/she has passed all the previous processes and will be invited to an interview. Details regarding the interview will be provided to the candidate at time of contact.

The number of applicants selected for an interview is based on the potential number of new recruits to be hired, and is subject to budget approval.

What is involved in the interview process?

The Human Resources Department, in conjunction with Windsor Fire & Rescue Services, attempts to interview a certain number of applicants based on the potential number of new recruits required, overall results of testing and budgetary considerations.

The Human Resources representative will provide the date, time, location and related details for those applicants that will be selected for the 2nd round of the interview process. No alternate dates will be scheduled. Applicant(s) must successfully pass the interview in order to proceed to the next step.

An Occupational Personality Questionnaire and Mental Ability Assessment can be administered in this process.

Selected applicants considered to proceed further in the recruitment, will be notified by a Human Resources Representative and will be provided the date, time, location and related details to those applicants who have been selected for the 2nd interview process. No alternate dates will be scheduled.

An applicant is recommended to a Probationary Firefighter position based on the outcome of the test results and interview process. Please be advised that the scores and ranking are confidential and will not be released to the applicant.

What happens after the Interview?

Those applicants recommended to a position of Probationary Firefighter would be contacted by a Human Resources representative to arrange an appointment to review an Offer of Employment letter and commence the processing of their paperwork. The website will be updated to give notice when the recruitment has concluded.

What is Involved in the processing of my Offer of Employment?

A Human Resources representative contacts the applicant to offer employment. An initial appointment is scheduled with the recommended applicant to complete the following requirements:

A. Police Clearance Check:

Recommended applicants will be required to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Police Clearance Check. The police clearance will be obtained at the expense of the applicant. The Human Resources representative, at the time of first meeting with a candidate, will provide appropriate paperwork, which is required by the police department to conduct the police check. It is the responsibility of the applicant to obtain the completed police clearance from the police department and return to the Human Resources representative. On average, the police clearance may take up to three (3) weeks for completion. An applicant’s police clearance record may be used to assess the candidate’s suitability to the position of Firefighter.

Please note: A recommended candidate may have their Offer of Employment withdrawn based on the outcome of the police clearance.

B. References Check:

With the authorization of the applicant, the City of Windsor Human Resources representative will complete a reference check. The applicant’s reference checks may be used to assess the candidate’s suitability for the position of Firefighter.

Please note: A recommended candidate may have their Offer of Employment withdrawn based on the outcome of the reference checks.

C. Pre-Placement Medical Requirements:

An applicant recommended for employment will also be required to undergo a pre-employment medical examination completed by a medical practitioner designated by the Corporation of the City of Windsor. The Human Resources representative will provide the applicant with formal paperwork in order to obtain the medical examination. This examination is obtained at the expense of the corporation and consists of the following:

General Medical Examination
Chest X-Ray
Lumbar X-Ray
Tuberculosis Skin Test (Mantoux)
Vision (Ortho)
Audiogram
Pulmonary Function Test
Any other testing and/or examination which may be required by the medical practitioner and/or determined by the City of Windsor

The medical examination must indicate good health in accordance with the opinion of the corporation’s examining medical practitioner.

Please Note: A recommended applicant may have their Offer of Employment withdrawn as a result of the outcome of the medical examination.

D. Driver's Abstract:

Recommended applicants will be required to obtain a driver's abstract. The applicant is responsible for paying for the driver's abstract. The Human Resources representative, at the time of first meeting with the applicant, will provide the details required to obtain the driver's abstract.

Please Note: A recommended candidate may have their Offer of Employment withdrawn based on the outcome of the driver's abstract.

E. Family Relationship Information:

As per the current City of Windsor Employment Policy and Family Relationship Procedure, every new employee is required to complete a Family Relationship Declaration Form. If a new employee is declaring a family relation working for the City of Windsor, approval is required by the Chief Administrative Officer or designate prior to the employee being hired. Family relationship information is collected under the authority of Council policies and will be used to determine eligibility for employment/transfers/promotions.

Please note: An applicant’s Offer of Employment may be withdrawn if he/she is in contravention of the Employment Policy.

F. Review of Educational Documents/Other Related Credentials:

At the time of the first meeting, a Human Resources representative will meet with the recommended applicant, and he/she will be required to provide the following information:

Proof of Ontario Secondary School Graduation Diploma or Ontario Ministry of Education Equivalency (original document is required)
Proof of other related credentials referred to on formal application (original documents required)
Proof of current valid and lawful Class 'D' with 'Z' endorsement driver’s licence (original document required) in addition to item D (Driver's Abstract) noted above
Proof of Social Insurance Number:
- It is a requirement that proof of Social Insurance Number be provided. If you have misplaced your number, please contact the nearest Service Canada Office for a replacement.
Proof of birth certificate, passport, or baptismal certificate (original document required)

Please note: An applicant’s Offer of Employment may be withdrawn if he/she fails to produce the original required documents.

What is involved in the payroll documentation process?

Once the processing of a recommended applicant’s Offer of Employment has been completed and formally approved, a Human Resources representative will schedule a second meeting to complete all paperwork related to employment. During this meeting, the applicant will complete the following:

The City of Windsor’s payroll system utilizes direct deposit. The applicant will be required to provide a void cheque for the account into which they wish their monies deposited, or the applicant must provide a Direct Deposit Form completed by their banking institution.
Completion of Revenue Canada Personal Tax Credit Forms (TD1/TD1 ON)
Completion of benefit enrolment forms (Green Shield, Life Insurance, OMERS pension form). Benefits will be afforded to an applicant as per the current Windsor Professional Firefighters Association collective agreement.
Respectful Workplace Form, as per the current corporate policy in effect
Completion of corporate identification card form, as per corporate policy

One responsibility of the Human Resources representative is to ensure the applicant has completed all related documentation. The applicant will be advised of the details for reporting to work, location, etc. The new employee will commence employment on the established date; he/she will be required to complete the Basic Training Program as required by Windsor Fire & Rescue Services.

What is involved in the probationary of the new employee?

A new employee hired by Windsor Fire & Rescue Services will be required to serve a 12-month probationary period as per the Windsor Professional Firefighters Association (W.P.F.F.A.) Collective Agreement. Generally, performance appraisals are conducted at the fifth and eleventh month of employment; however, performance appraisals may be conducted at different intervals depending on the employee’s performance. Once the employee has completed the 12-month probationary period and has been confirmed in the position of Firefighter, he/she will be classified as a 3rd Class Firefighter. Performance appraisals will be conducted thereafter on an annual basis. Forming part of the probationary period, the new employee will be required to participate in and successfully complete the Windsor Fire & Rescue Services Basic Training Program. The Basic Training Program commences the first day of employment; new recruits participate in the Basic Training Program for a period of time established by the department.

Please note: Failure to pass the written and practical examinations and obtain a satisfactory written evaluation from the authority having jurisdiction will eliminate the candidate from current and/or future employment with Windsor Fire & Rescue Services. After successful completion of a one-year probationary period, the employee may be confirmed in a regular full-time position of Firefighter. Based on the employee’s performance in this position, he/she may not be confirmed in the position, which would result in termination of employment.

Will orientation be provided?

The Corporation of the City of Windsor has a corporate eLearn Orientation Program, which all new employees are mandated to review and successfully complete online. All new employees will be provided with procedures to access and participate in training under the corporate eLearn program. Training covers Health & Safety training, Accessible Customer Service training, Respectful Workplace training, and General Orientation for New Employees. It is the responsibility of the new employee to complete the required training prior to their official documentation appointment.

Please Note: Failure to complete and/or pass the training examinations may prevent the applicant from being hired under this recruitment.

Windsor Fire & Rescue Services is responsible for providing the new employee with department-specific orientation, which is usually completed within the first week of training.

General Information
For general information, please call 311.

For detailed inquiries, contact:
400 City Hall Square East, Suite 408
Windsor, Ontario, Canada, N9A 7K6
Phone: (519) 255-6515
Fax: (519) 255-6504
Email: recruitment@citywindsor.ca