Firefighter

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

• 6262: Firefighters

2006 NOC-S

• G612: Firefighters

2011 NOC

• 4312: Firefighters

2016 NOC

• 4312: Firefighters

2021 NOC

• 42101: Firefighters

2023 OaSIS

• 42101.00: Firefighters

Firefighters are trained to promote safety and respond quickly and efficiently to situations that may endanger citizens or their property. For example, they may respond to fires, motor vehicle accidents or hazardous goods spills. They provide medical aid, rescue services, and property and environmental loss control services.

When there is a fire, firefighters:

• Rescue and evacuate people from the involved structures
• Establish a water supply
• Lay out and connect hoses and nozzles, and direct water onto fires
• Use different methods to suppress different types of fires
• Enter burning buildings
• Manage and control ladders to gain access to fires and help people to safety
• Provide pre-hospital care for fire victims who may be injured or overcome by smoke or toxic atmosphere
• Try to protect property during or after fire-fighting operations
• Inspect the site to ensure it is safe once a fire has been put out
• Deal with hazardous chemicals that may catch fire or spill

When there are other types of emergencies, firefighters:

• Provide rescue services and medical attention for all involved in incidents including wildland fires, water or technical rescues (such as rope rescues, confined-space rescues or building-collapse rescues)
• Provide support and direction during disasters
• Minimize property loss and environmental impact
• Contribute to or write cause and determination reports for the proper authorities

Between emergencies, firefighters:

• Take part in activities to educate the public about fire prevention
• Conduct fire inspection and preplanning activities
• Maintain and develop skills through continuing education
• Maintain their equipment

Firefighters in large centres work shifts with rotating days off. In smaller centres, they may work part time or be on call.

The work is physically demanding, sometimes dangerous and often involves short periods of intense physical labour. Firefighters often have to work at heights, in confined places and in very dark areas. They must wear heavy gear while working in environments that include smoke and extreme high or low temperatures. Like most jobs that involve emergency situations, the work also is emotionally demanding and stressful.

Lifting, pulling and carrying over 20 kilograms frequently is required during emergency situations.

Firefighters may be employed full time by city or industrial fire departments or part time in smaller centres.

Most of Alberta is served by volunteer on-call firefighters. Typically, recruitment is done by local jurisdictions. Free accredited training is usually given, in return for service and availability to the local community.

Firefighters who have the necessary experience, seniority and abilities may specialize in areas such as hazardous materials or technical rescues. They also may become apparatus operators, fire officers, training officers, public safety educators, fire inspectors, investigators or chief officers.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 4312: Firefighters occupational group, 87.4% of people work in:

• Public Administration

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

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Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

• Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation
• Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, the 4312: Firefighters occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.3% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 59 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta Firefighters Association website: albertafirefightersassociation.nationbuilder.com

Alberta Fire Chiefs Association website: afca.ca/

International Association of Firefighters website: www.iaff.org

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) website: nfpa.org

University of Alberta, firefighter fitness testing website: www.ualberta.ca/kinesiology-sport-recreation/research/centres-and-units/firefighter-fitness-testing.html

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.