Located on the Trent-Severn Waterway in the heart of the Kawartha tourism region, Peterborough is a unique community known for its exceptional quality of life and beautiful setting. Peterborough has it all – a multitude of recreational opportunities, a diverse industrial, commercial and agricultural base, quality health care and excellent schools – including two outstanding post-secondary institutions. Peterborough is just one hour from the Greater Toronto area.
Firefighter Recruitment
Welcome to the City of Peterborough Firefighter Recruitment Process for 2026. This page includes information developed by Peterborough Fire Services and the People and Culture Division to provide you with helpful information about the process throughout all the various steps. This hiring is intended to create a pool of candidates to draw from should a future vacancy occur.
Required Qualifications
To be eligible to compete, candidates must meet the following qualifications:
- Successful completion of a Pre-Service Firefighter Education & Training Program at an OFM Endorsed Community College and or NFPA 1001 level I & II
- Ontario Fire Administration Inc (OFAI) Candidate Testing (CTS) – Certificates for Stage One, Stage Two and Stage Three
- Successful completion of OFAI swim test
- Grade 12 education or equivalent as approved by the Ministry of Education
- Valid Ontario “D” Driver’s License with “Z” endorsement: Must have attained at time of application. Must have no more than 4 demerit points in a single violation or no more than a total of 5 demerit points. Proof of valid driver’s license with DZ endorsement and a driver’s abstract will be required at the time of offer
- Pleasure Craft License
- Must have no criminal convictions for which a pardon has not been granted. (Proof of a clear criminal reference check will be required as a condition of an employment offer)
- Valid Standard First Aid with Basic Life Support Certificate or Health Care Provider Certificate
- Legally entitled to work in Canada
- Speak, read and write English proficiently and communicate clearly and precisely under demanding conditions
- Visual requirements in accordance to NFPA 1582
- Hearing requirements as per OFAI standards
Candidates must be prepared to work 24-hour shifts including weekends and holidays.
Overview of the Recruitment Process
The Recruitment process will consist of several steps as outlined below. Candidates must successfully pass through all steps of the recruitment process in order to proceed to each consecutive step.
The recruitment process will identify successful candidates for our hiring needs.
Step 1: Complete OFAI Candidate Testing (Stages One to Three)
The City of Peterborough will be utilizing the services of Ontario Fire Administration Inc. (OFAI) Candidate Testing. We will only accept applicants who have received certification from OFAI (Stages One through Three). Please visit ofai.ca for more information.
You will also be required to complete the OFAI swim test.
Step 2: Submit an online application
Candidates will submit an online application which includes a cover letter, resume and OFAI CTS Certificate which details their education, experience and level of training in the following:
- Auto Extrication
- Confined Space
- Water/Ice Rescue
- Swift Water Rescue
- Rope Rescue
- Breathing Apparatus
- Pumper Operations
- Critical Incident Stress Management
- Hazardous Materials
- Radio and computer aided dispatch
- Note Taking
- Valid Standard First Aid with Basic Life Support Certificate or Health Care Provider Certificate
- Work Experience related to Fire Service including:
- Skilled Trades
- Heavy Duty Equipment Operation
- Building Construction
- Emergency Vehicle Operation
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Previous Municipal/Industrial Firefighter Experience (including volunteer)
- Paramedical
- Mechanical
- Volunteer Experience in Emergency Services field
- Community involvement and commitment to serving the public and demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development
- Knowledge and understanding of different cultures and fluency in a language(s) other than English
- Strong leadership, administrative, interpersonal and communication skills
- Proficient in use of computers including keyboarding skills and familiarity with computer aided dispatch processes
Note: Proof of certificates/diplomas will be requested at the time of the interview.
Submit your application online here with 2 attachments which includes your cover letter as one attachment, and your resume and OFAI CTS Certificate as the other attachment, by 11:59pm on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
Candidates will be selected for interviews following the screening of the resumes.
Interviews will be conducted in a panel format. The interview is designed to test not only the candidate’s technical knowledge and abilities, but also to allow Fire Services and City of Peterborough, People and Culture Division to assess the candidate’s overall suitability for the position.
Candidates must be prepared to submit the following:
- Proof of successful completion of a Pre-Service Firefighter Education Training Program at an OFM Endorsed Community College and/or NFPA 1001 level I & II
- Proof of completion of Ontario Fire Association Inc (OFAI) Candidate Testing (CTS) – Full Certificates comprising of Stages One Through Three.
- Proof of completion of OFAI swim test
- Grade 12 or equivalent as approved by the Ministry of Education
- Valid Standard First Aid with Basic Life Support Certificate or Health Care Provider Certificate
- 3 Current Work References
The City of Peterborough’s policies & procedures support employees with disabilities in accordance with relevant legislation. If you require an accommodation for the interview process, please advise the People and Culture Division when you are contacted for an interview. They will work with you to determine how best to accommodate you.
Candidates may be asked to participate in additional psychological testing and computer skills (CritiCall) testing.
After the completion of checking references, job offers will be coordinated by the People and Culture Division. Upon offer of employment, candidates must provide:
- Driver’s License Abstract – with no more than 4 demerit points in a single violation or no more than a total of 5 demerit points, which is obtained at the time of offer of employment, along with proof of DZ license.
- Proof of Pleasure Craft License.
- Clean Criminal Reference Clearance Check with vulnerable sector check – current at the time of offer of employment.
The probationary period is twelve (12) months. As probationary firefighters you will be required to successfully pass written and practical examinations in addition to physical and mental challenges as part of the probationary assessment process. The probationary period will also include ongoing assessment of new recruits in the performance of their day-to-day job duties.
Contact
Contact the City of Peterborough, People and Culture Division by telephone at 705-742-7777 ext. 1613 or email Jessica Brotherstone (JBrotherstone@peterborough.ca).
Further information regarding the OFAI Candidate testing can be obtained at ofai.ca.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply?
Submit your application using our online portal.
When are applications due?
No later than 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30th, 2026.
Can I submit all my certificates and other supporting documentation when I apply?
No, all supporting documentation will be requested at the time of the interview. The only documentation that is required is outlined above in Step 2.
I do not have time to get my D Licence with Z endorsement; can I still apply if I can get it before an interview?
No, candidates must have a valid “DZ” License at the time of application.
I do not have time to complete the OFAI Candidate Testing. Wil you accept test results from other organizations?
No, applicants must have completed and passed the OFAI Candidate Testing in order to apply for our 2026 recruitment.
My OFAI certificate will be expiring before September 30, 2026. Do I need to get an updated certificate prior to applying?
No, we are asking that candidates have valid OFAI certificates on the day that they apply. Should you be selected for an interview, you will be required to provide updated, valid certificate(s) at that time
I submitted my cover letter and resume and have now completed additional training. Can I submit another resume?
No, please do not submit more than one resume.