Recruitment Process Timeline

Our next Coquitlam Fire/Rescue Firefighter recruitment will be posted in early 2025 at Careers Opportunities. 

Please continue to check this page for updates, as well as CivicInfoBC, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. 

Firefighting is a rewarding, exciting and multi-faceted career where you can serve and positively impact our diverse community. As ambassadors of public safety, our firefighters have a passion for public service and share our core values of being accountable for our actions and decisions; treating people fairly; innovating to sustain community quality of life; and becoming leaders in municipal governance.

We are searching for individuals who are emotionally intelligent, resilient, value teamwork, love to give back, and reflect the diverse community we serve. If you possess strong communication skills and thrive in a fast-paced environment that values education and lifelong, apply now to join us in maintaining high safety standards in our community.

Recruitment Process Timeline

We look forward to receiving your application for the upcoming 2025 firefighter recruitment intake process. This is an exciting opportunity to join a select group of dedicated first responders who contribute to the safety and well-being of our community and residents. The anticipated recruitment timelines are listed below and are subject to change. Check back to this web page or through our social media channels for further updates.

  • Accepting job applications:  January 1, 2025 to January 18, 2025
  • Fire Competency Testing through BL Associates Corporate Psychologists Inc. – January 25, 2025
  • Skills testing day Part 1 / Fire Services Test – February 22, 2025
  • Ride-Along Program – March
  • Interviews – early April
  • Skills testing Part 2 (Langara testing) – mid-April
  • Background check/Medicals – late April
  • Offers confirmed – early May
  • Start date- early June

Timelines/dates are subject to change without notice.

Before You Apply

Before you apply, review the Coquitlam Fire/Rescue Firefighter Application Manual (PDF).

Job candidates are responsible for covering the costs of the Firefighter Competency Test through BL Associates (BLA) Corporate Psychologists Inc. ($340 plus tax).  Note that only shortlisted candidates will move forward to this phase of the competition.

Please note that your psychometric test result may be applied to other B.C. fire department hiring processes and is valid for up to one year. If you have completed a psychometric test with BLA from another process within the past 12 months and wish to use those results for Coquitlam, please contact BLA (details below) to confirm if your results meet the minimum threshold and are eligible to be used. Once you have received confirmation that your previous results are eligible, you will receive instructions from BLA about how to proceed. There is a $115.50 fee to have your test results sent to Coquitlam. Email Human Resources to advise if your test result will be coming from BLA.

More about Firefighting Competency Testing can be found at Firefighter Competency Testing - BL Associates. To contact BLA, email their Testing Coordinator, Naomi Stinton.

If your current financial situation is an obstacle to affording the psychometric testing, please don’t let that stop you from applying. Rather, reach out to request a confidential conversation with one of our Human Resource professionals by email. There are opportunities for limited financial subsidies on a case-by-case basis. The recruitment selection committee will not be made aware of which candidates received subsidy support.

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

During periods of active firefighter recruitment campaigns, candidates are encouraged to carefully consider their qualifications against the stated requirements prior to completing and submitting their application.

Order of selection will be based on a competitive process where only those candidates that exemplify all requirements for the position (minimum and preferred qualifications) of firefighter are selected first.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates under consideration will have successfully completed the following:

  • Completed Grade 12 or GED. 
  • Possess a valid Class 3 British Columbia Driver’s License with a safe driving record. 
  • EMA First Responders License (or higher) valid until August 2025. 
  • Successfully completed NFPA 1001 Level 1 and 2 Certification.

Preferred Qualifications

Candidates have a much higher chance of being shortlisted if they possess preferred qualifications. These should be clearly demonstrated on your resume. Preferred qualifications include:

  • Successful completion of any one of the following technical courses:
    • Hazardous Materials Tech Level
    • Swift Water Tech Level
    • Technical Rope Tech Level
  • Valid Emergency Medical Responder, Primary Care Paramedic or Advanced Care Paramedic license through EMALB or a Registered Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse in B.C.
  • Successful completion of a trades qualification or relevant post-secondary degree.
  • Accumulated work experience related to the needs of the Fire Service such as paid firefighting, auxiliary firefighting, forestry firefighting and/or, paramedic experience.
  • Experience giving back to the community by volunteering and community activities.
  • Experience in the construction industry or trades. 
  • Ability to fluently speak languages other than English.
  • Knowledge and awareness of other cultures.
  • Committed to a lifestyle that prioritizes physical and mental well-being, including a focus on fitness and health. 
  • Committed to continuous learning.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team environment.

Important Note

At the time of application, you will be required to upload all supporting documents as one PDF file. Most printing service stores will be able to assist you to scan your paper documents into a single PDF. Documents must be listed in the following order:

  • Current Driver’s Abstract (within last 30 days) is required.
  • Secondary school diploma or equivalency is required.
  • Post-secondary program certificate, diploma, degree, or trades qualification (Red Seal), if applicable.
  • Any completed Hazard Materials Tech Level, Confined Space Tech Level, Swift Water Tech Level, Technical Rope Tech Level or Trench Rescue Tech Level certificates if applicable.
  • Your NFPA 1001 Level 1 and 2 Pro Board/IFSAC certifications are required.
  • EMR or First Responder license and / or certification or Current First Aid certificates, if applicable.

When You Apply

We don’t want to overlook any qualified candidates, so please read carefully when you make your application. Please review the following steps to ensure a seamless application.

First Step

If you haven’t already created a client profile using the City’s hiring portal, you will need to do this first. If you have never applied to the City of Coquitlam for any position, you will need to create a client profile. Please follow the prompts on the City’s Career Opportunities webpage.

Second Step

Select the position you are applying for. 

Third Step

As applicants all have a variety of experience and education with supporting documents, therefore our recruiting team requests applicants only submit one file saved as a PDF file, scanned with documents in the order displayed below. Please ensure you scan your documents “right side up" and the PDF is easily readable.

Document Number 1

  • Download using the filename: YOUR LAST NAME_RESUME:
    • Resume

Document Number 2

Scan the following documents that support your application into one file:

  • Download using the filename: YOUR LAST NAME_SUPPORTING

At the time of application you will be required to upload all supporting documents as one PDF file. Most printing service stores will be able to assist you to scan your paper documents into a single PDF.  Documents must be listed in the following order:

  1. Current Driver’s Abstract (within last 30 days) is required.
  2. Secondary school diploma or equivalency is required.
  3. Post-secondary program certificate, diploma, degree, or trades qualification (Red Seal), if applicable
  4. Any completed Hazard Materials Tech Level, Confined Space Tech Level, Swift Water Tech Level, Technical Rope Tech Level or Trench Rescue Tech Level certificates, if applicable.
  5. Your NFPA 1001 Level 1 and 2 Pro Board/IFSAC certifications are required.
  6. EMR or First Responder license and / or certification or Current First Aid certificates, if applicable.