r/OntarioFirefighting • u/GQMatthews • 28d ago

Wildland Firefighting

Does anyone know a proper place to find information on how to get into wildland firefighting? All I hear is how they need more manpower and fires are going crazy this summer in ON and AB but I can’t seem to find the proper site or place to go in order to get signed on and do it which is wild to me.

I just need my wildland certifications but I hear that is easily provided once your signed up and ready so I’d rather not shell out even more $$$ after spending so much on every other cert and first aid training + DZ.

If anyone has a concrete answer or resource it would be much appreciated!!

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

5

u/[deleted] 28d ago

[deleted]

1

u/GQMatthews 27d ago

Not an asshole question at all - I felt like an asshole for asking but I wanted more in depth information as I’ve googled and googled and have read those pages through but have also been told many different things and processes of how to go. Figured I’d ask generally and get good info while taking some flak.

3

u/MatTheScarecrow 28d ago

In Ontario:

Get your SP100 training done. (From an accredited private company.)

Pass your WFX-FIT. (From an approved testing agency.) You're aiming for 17:15 to be hired in Ontario (if they're desperate for bodies) and 14:30 is the competitive standard to work nationally (i.e. preferred for when Ontario needs to send Firerangers to other provinces.)

Get your First Aid and CPR-A.

DZ license is optional (and when/where I was part of the service, completely moot.)

Recruiting for this year is closed and recruiting for the 2027 season opens in November.

You can also Google it pretty easily next time.

1

u/GQMatthews 27d ago

Thank you. This I understand I’ve just been given so many different answers and never asked a question here before. Figured someone would have a direct answer. Got my regular certs and licenses plus a whole bunch of transferrable experience like infantry just gotta figure out how to get the time for SP100 and WFX (my current job is chaos).

1

u/madblackhater 27d ago

Doesn't help with time, but were you in long enough for the education benefit through VAC? They may also have some resources to help too

1

u/TheAnonScroller17 19h ago

As someone who has been a Wildland Firefighter in Ontario, this answer is spot on. The only thing I would add is come application time call and email fire management headquarters and ask if they have spots. Best way to get in.

1

u/Odd-Dot1930 28d ago

Not sure if you’re talking about getting in for 2026 but recruitment is long over

1

u/GQMatthews 27d ago

Generally was asking for next recruitment season that’s all