Casual Firefighter – High River – 2025

The Town of High River is seeking motivated individuals for the position of Casual Firefighter with the High River Fire Department. This role is vital to providing fire suppression, fire prevention, and rescue services, contributing to the safety and quality of life in the High River community and surrounding areas.

As a Casual Firefighter, you will be responsible for protecting life and property in emergency and non-emergency situations, working collaboratively with departmental staff and the public. The department values professionalism, respect, and continuous improvement, aiming to be an 'Employer of Choice' within the community.

• Emergency Response: Respond to fire and medical emergencies, providing fire evacuation, suppression, investigation, and/or emergency pre-hospital care (within Basic Life Saving Level and registered scope of practice).
• Fire Operations: Engage in fire suppression, rescue work, medical care, and fire prevention activities.
• Inspections: Assist in fire safety code inspections for businesses, residences, and specialized facilities such as schools and hospitals.
• Hazardous Response: Safely respond to hazardous materials and disaster-related events, as well as other non-emergency situations as required.
• Certification Maintenance: Maintain current registrations/certifications for firefighter and emergency medical competencies and participate in continuous education for timely re-certifications. Complete required reclassifications, skill maintenance tests, and examinations.
• Training: Participate actively in platoon and individual training, and assist with training within your level of competency for other firefighters.
• Community Engagement: Assist with public safety and community education programs.
• Operational Support: Assist the Captain with daily operations and implementing approved initiatives.
• Equipment and Facility Maintenance: Operate, maintain, clean, and inspect vehicles, equipment, tools, facilities, and specialized firefighting apparatus.
• Meetings and Practices: Attend meetings and practices as required.
• Public Relations and Administration: Participate in public relations, supply inventory management, fleet maintenance, policy development, and emergency preparedness planning.
• Health and Safety: Participate in the Town’s Health and Safety program as assigned.
• Other Duties: Perform all other related duties as assigned and participate in shift rotation as required.

Physical Function Test Tasks:

• Equipment Carry / Hold: Lift and carry spreaders and cutters for 60 ft; hold rotary saw in simulated rescue positions.
• Ladder Climb: Climb a 24 ft extension ladder to the 10th rung and back, repeated five times.
• Hose Bundle Shoulder Carry: Carry a 45 lb hose up and down two flights of stairs four times.
• Tower Hose Hoist: Hoist a 50 ft section of 65 mm hose up and down a hose tower using a hand-over-hand method.
• Charged Hose Line Advance: Advance an 80 ft charged hose line and retrieve it.
• Manikin Drag: Drag a 150 lb manikin 45 ft around a pylon and back, within 60 seconds.

Basic Requirements:

• Age: 18 years of age or older
• Education: High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma
• First Aid: Standard First Aid and CPR Level HCP
• Security: Meet security clearance requirements via Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Checks
• Driver’s License: Valid Alberta Class 5 Operator’s License; provide a current (within 6 months) driver’s abstract with no more than 6 demerit points
• Medical: Satisfactory completion of a medical examination, including documented proof of required immunizations (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Hepatitis B)
• Physical: Adequate vision (best eye 20/30 or better, weaker eye not less than 20/50, aided or unaided, no color vision abnormalities), hearing, mobility, dexterity, agility, and stamina to perform firefighting tasks; ability to lift heavy loads and equipment
• Facial Hair: Minimum facial hair (no beard) to ensure adequate SCBA face piece seal (per OH&S Bulletin PPE001)
• Computer Skills: Basic computer skills
• Equipment: Black CSA approved steel-toed boots are required

Classifications (based on additional competencies):

• Class 1: Valid NFPA 1001, Pump Operator Certificate, Vehicle Extrication Certificate, 3+ years Fire Service experience
• Class 2: Valid NFPA 1001, one additional certificate (Vehicle Extrication or Pump Operator), 2+ years Fire Service experience
• Class 3: Valid NFPA 1001, 1+ year Fire Service experience
• Class 4: Valid NFPA 1001 – Level 1, less than one year Fire Service experience

• Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) designation and Alberta College of Paramedics (ACP) registration

Application Instructions:

• Submit a cover letter, resume, and completed Medical Clearance Form.
• Applications accepted via email (hr@highriver.ca), the Town of High River Careers website, or in person at the Joint Administration Building (309B Macleod Trail S.W, High River, AB). Applications are not accepted at the Fire Hall.
• Application Deadline: Friday, November 14, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.
• Only those selected for the recruitment process will be contacted.

Recruitment Process (Six Stages):

1. Advertisement and Application
2. Physical Function Test (requires completed Medical Clearance Form)
3. Interview (behavioral-based)
4. Training Selection
5. Training (NFPA 1001 – Level 1 certification, in-house, 6 months, weekday evenings/weekends, training cost waived)
6. Offer of Employment (upon successful completion of training, evaluation, and assessment)

Candidates must bring appropriate athletic wear and, if available, steel-toed boots, structure gloves, coveralls, and firefighter helmet (items provided if not available). Physical testing is required before hiring and annually each January thereafter.

Contact: Human Resources, Town of High River, Telephone: (403) 603.3563, Email: hr@highriver.ca