Volunteer (Paid on-call) Firefighter- Probationary

Do you have a desire to serve your community and a passion for learning and developing new skills?  Tillsonburg Fire Rescue Services is looking for an individual with shared values of integrity, courage, service and community that can perform as part of a high performing team. The successful candidate will demonstrate an ability to perform a number of tasks including: fire protection and rescue services, fire inspection and public education within established policies and guidelines.

The Town of Tillsonburg is a growing urban community with a population of about 19,000. Tillsonburg Fire Rescue Service operates on a two platoon system from one centrally located fire station at 80 Concession Street East and firefighters are dedicated to serving the community responding to about 400 incident a year. In addition, firefighters attend regular training sessions and perform station, vehicle and equipment maintenance and are active in our community conducting fire prevention, public education and other community fund raising activities involving about 8-15 hours a month or 96-180 hours a year.

Becoming a Probationary Volunteer Firefighter involves a significant time commitment and only those able to fully commit should apply. Recruits must attain NPFA Professional Qualifications and Certification through the Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office. This involves education and training to a recognized standard along with skills verification, self-study, and skill and knowledge testing.

Department: Fire Rescue Services
Honorarium: $7,252.10/annum
Hourly Rate: $28.09/hour
Openings: 2
Vulnerable Sector Check is required for this position.
Interested Candidates please apply by end of day Sunday September 28, 2025

Tillsonburg Fire & Rescue Services will be hosting a recruitment evening, Monday September 15th, 2025, from 6pm-7:30pm. This provides an opportunity to interact with current firefighters and gain knowledge of the commitment. Attendance is highly encouraged, including bringing spouse/partner.

Responsibilities

• Protects life and property and minimizes fire loss
• Performs firefighting duties including fires suppression, rescues, medicals, HAZMAT, inspects, maintains and operates stations, vehicles, equipment, systems and technology
• Participates in mandatory regular training requirements
• Performs hazardous work in IDLH environments, works at heights (ladder/aerial), works in confined spaces, with SCBA & PPE
• Works any time day or night, weekends, holidays 24/7
• Performs radio communications
• Secures incident scene
• Provides medical first aid care
• Operates and maintains fire vehicles such as engines, ladder trucks, aerial platform, rescue trucks and support vehicles in accordance with Ontario Highway Traffic Act
• Maintains fire equipment to ensure safe functionality and operational readiness.
• Participates in fire prevention duties and conducts fire safety inspections
• Performs public education and public relations activities to engage the community and promote fire and emergency safety
• Develops pre-incident plans
• Adheres to applicable legislation, Town and Fire Service policies and procedures, demonstrates working knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety Act as it relates to fire suppression and rescue activities
• Performs administrative duties in accordance with fire department operating guidelines.
• Demonstrates a commitment to personal and professional development to remain current with new legislation, standards, techniques and procedures
• Dedicated and committed to team work and community service excellence
• Performs other related duties as assigned     

Qualifications

• 18 years old and legally eligible to work in Canada
• Current Vulnerable Sector Check
• No criminal convictions for which a pardon has not been granted
• Live within the Town of Tillsonburg ideally near the Fire Station. Additionally working within the area would be an asset.
• Previous NFPA training and certification an asset
• Current Physical testing from a recognized organization as determined by the corporation will be required by selected candidates, however if candidate possesses current physical Testing from a recognized organization may be acceptable.
• Daytime hours availability Mon-Fri an asset
• Employer allows you to leave work to respond to emergencies is an asset
• Completion of Ontario Secondary School Diploma or approved equivalent
• Possess a valid Class ‘G’ class
• Possess DZ Ontario Driver’s Licence or willing to obtain within probationary period
• Ability to provide acceptable drivers abstract as determined by fire service
• Physical ability to work in adverse working conditions for long periods, high and low temperatures, at heights, confined spaces, low visibility, with SCBA and PPE
• Have visual acuity, minimum requirement of 20/30 corrected OR 20/40 uncorrected both eyes tested together, have normal depth perception, and have colour vision.
• Ability to inspect, maintain and operate station, vehicle and equipment.
• Communicate effectively in English both verbally and in writing
• Ability to attain Medical First Aid and CPR as determined by fire service
• Ability to physically and mentally perform the duties of a firefighter having regard for one’s own safety and safety of the public. 
• Ability to achieve NFPA professional qualifications determined by the fire service
• Ability to respond to emergencies day or night, including weekends, holidays and work in a high stress fast paced team environment
• Ability to attend regular training sessions
• Ability to attend and conduct station, apparatus and equipment maintenance
• Ability to take instruction and follow direction, regulations, policies and procedures of the Town and Tillsonburg Fire Rescue Services
• Ability to learn various methods and techniques used in firefighting, rescue, prevention and education
• Ability and eagerness to learn about HAZMAT, investigation, fire and life safety systems and other job related subjects
• Ability to make sound decisions, provide clear direction/information, and remain calm in high pressure, emotionally charged, emergency situations.
• Successful completion of the new recruit training program.
• Ability to participate as an effective team member and to support and project values compatible with the Tillsonburg Fire Department.

About the recruitment process

All new Town of Tillsonburg employees are required to complete a police record check.

The Town will accommodate any individual needs you have throughout the recruitment process in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. Please contact us if you require any accommodations.

The Town of Tillsonburg is an equal opportunity employer and all information collected will be used in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the purpose of job selection.