Work Experience Program (WEP) Firefighter – Merritt BC – 2026

12 month program for successful candidates to live and work at the Merritt Fire Rescue Department as part of a well-established work experience program (WEP) in the interior of British Columbia. Explore your interest in the fire service while refining your skills through training and extensive emergency response in preparation of firefighting as a career.

Due to the successful career placement of current participants, we are anticipating the need to fill several positions. While the posting will remain open until the closing date, please note that we will process and review applications as they are received and positions may be filled prior to the end of the listing. Any successful candidates that are processed after the positions are filled will be added to an eligibility list for future openings.

The Merritt Fire Rescue Department operates as a single station and responds to roughly 1300 annual calls for service.

The daily duties of a WEP firefighter are balanced between, but not limited to; Suppression of Fires (Structural and Wildland-Urban-Interface), Highway Rescue Response, Medical Response, Fire Prevention, Public Education, Company Level Fire Inspections, Pre-incident Planning, and Station and Equipment Maintenance. WEP firefighters work a standard daytime shift routine, Monday to Friday, and, duty coverage after hours and on weekends.

• Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident.
• High School Graduate
• 19 years of age or older.
• NFPA 1001 – Firefighter I & II or equivalent certification.
• In-depth personal record check.
• Driver’s License with Air Brake Endorsement, favourable driver’s abstract with no more than 3 demerit points.
• Doctor’s Medical Clearance or Certificate of Fitness such as Fit Tech, CPAT, or York
• Commitment to a 12-month Work Experience Program.
• Favourable Criminal Record check

• First Responder
• Occupational First Aid Level 3
• Emergency Medical Responder
• Primary Care Paramedic or equivalent
• Previous firefighting or other related work
• Technical, Trades or equivalent level
• Post-Secondary Academic Diploma
• Class 3 Driver's License or equivalent (ie. DZ)

For any additional questions regarding the program or process contact the Work Experience Coordinator, Lieutenant Gareth Tilt, at gtilt@merritt.ca/250-378-5626 or visit https://www.merritt.ca/firerescue/ for more information.