London, Ontario Hiring guide
London Firefighter Recruitment: Requirements, Salary & Hiring Process
Get ready for London Fire Department recruitment with the qualifications, OFAI requirements, written exam, interviews and first-class salary explained.
Annual pay · CAD
Not verified
Department size
15 fire stations
Serving London
Operations firefighter recruitment
No active postings on our boardBoard listings update from our recruitment dashboard; they may not include every City opening.
Last official-source review: November 4, 2026 · Check City career page for openings. This review is separate from board availability.
How to become a London firefighter
- 1
First-class pay: $123,650
The IAFF reported this annual base under the ratified 2025–26 agreement. Recruit pay and the precise wage effective date were not given in that report.
- 2
Check OFAI requirements carefully
London names OFAI for physical testing. Confirm the required components, validity dates and submission deadline in the actual posting.
- 3
Prepare for a separate written exam
London’s published selection process includes a pre-qualifying written exam. Follow City instructions for the test format and scheduling.
The department at a glance
London Fire Department recruits career firefighters through the City of London. Its published process includes a pre-qualifying written exam, an interview, and psychological and medical evaluations. First-class pay under the 2025–26 agreement is $123,650, reported by the IAFF in September 2026. Use this guide to prepare and check the City’s career page for an open competition.
More than firefighting
London’s work spans a growing urban centre and rural areas. Station 15 opened in southeast London in June 2026 with a fire truck and tanker, including support for areas without municipal water systems. Alongside emergency response, expect ongoing training, equipment readiness and public-facing fire safety work.
London firefighter salary: $123,650 first-class base
First-class firefighters earn $123,650 a year under London’s 2025–26 agreement, according to the IAFF’s September 2026 report. Council ratified the agreement in July. This is base salary before overtime and allowances. The published report does not specify the exact wage effective date or current recruit pay, so no recruit amount is estimated here.
Minimum qualifications
London lists the following qualifications for the firefighter role. The current posting sets the submission dates, document requirements and certificate validity rules.
- 01Secondary education
- Grade 12 diploma, GED or equivalent. Have proof ready for the application.
- 02NFPA firefighter and hazardous materials credentials
- Current IFSAC and/or Pro Board endorsed NFPA 1001 Firefighter I and II, plus NFPA 1072 hazardous materials Awareness and Operations.
- 03First aid, CPR and AED
- Current certifications in all three are listed. Check the posting for the required course level and accepted providers.
- 04Unrestricted DZ licence and abstract
- A valid unrestricted Ontario Class D licence with Z endorsement, plus proof of a three-year uncertified driver’s abstract.
- 05OFAI physical testing
- The City names OFAI Candidate Testing Services. Confirm the required certificates, components and dates in the competition documents before booking.
- 06Criminal reference check
- A criminal reference check with vulnerable sector screening within the past 12 months is listed. Follow current instructions on when and how to obtain it.
What strengthens your application
The City explicitly identifies additional IFSAC or Pro Board certifications as an asset. Make any other relevant experience concrete and easy to assess.
Additional fire service certifications
The City considers other IFSAC or Pro Board certifications an asset. List the standard, level and certification body clearly.
Experience you can explain
Use work, volunteering or training to demonstrate teamwork, communication and reliability. This is preparation advice, not a substitute for London’s minimum qualifications.
Aptitude & physical testing
London requires OFAI Candidate Testing Services for physical testing and also lists a pre-qualifying written exam in its own application process. These are separate entries in the City’s guidance; do not assume one result replaces the other.
Check the competition’s required components
The City’s career page names OFAI Candidate Testing Services without specifying a complete stage-by-stage package or certificate expiry schedule. Verify those details in the posting.
A City selection step
London lists a written exam separately from OFAI physical testing. The reviewed page does not identify the exam brand, question count or pass mark. Avoid preparing for a particular format on an assumption.
Later selection evaluations
These appear after the interview in the published process. Follow the City’s invitations and ask early about required forms or accommodations.
The recruitment process
The City publishes four main selection steps. Invitations and the current posting provide the detailed assessment schedule and instructions.
- 1
Application submission
Apply through the City during an open competition.
Match your application to the firefighter posting and include all requested documents. A general candidate profile is not proof that an application was submitted.
- 2
Pre-qualifying written exam
Complete the City’s written selection step.
Read the invitation for booking, identification and permitted materials. Build a regular practice routine while waiting for confirmed test details.
- 3
Interview
Show how you work and make decisions.
Prepare concise examples of teamwork, safety, conflict and responsibility. Explain the situation, your actions, the result and what you learned. London’s public page does not confirm a specific interview format.
- 4
Psychological and medical evaluations
Complete the evaluations requested by the City.
Keep your contact details current and respond to invitations promptly. The City’s posting and offer set any remaining conditions of employment.
Your application checklist
Use this preparation checklist alongside the current posting. Checking an item does not confirm eligibility.
Get notified when London hiring opens
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Common questions
Guidance for London applicants. Confirm details with the referenced official sources and current posting.
Is London hiring firefighters now?
This guide does not confirm an active firefighter competition. Check the City’s career page and linked job portal for current opportunities. A standing careers page is not an open job posting.
What is the London firefighter salary?
The IAFF reported a first-class annual salary of $123,650 under the ratified 2025–26 agreement in September 2026. The report does not provide an exact wage effective date or a current recruit salary grid. Base salary excludes overtime and allowances.
Does London require OFAI?
Yes. The City lists OFAI Candidate Testing Services under physical testing. The specific components, certificate validity and timing must be checked against the current firefighter posting.
Is London’s written exam the FACT?
The City lists a pre-qualifying written exam but does not identify its provider in the reviewed career page. OFAI physical testing and the City’s written exam are listed separately. Do not assume a FACT result replaces the City exam.
Do I need a DZ licence to apply?
The published firefighter qualifications list a valid unrestricted Ontario Class D licence with Z endorsement and proof of a three-year uncertified driver’s abstract. Check the current posting for submission timing.
Does London require a swim test or every OFAI stage?
The reviewed career page names OFAI physical testing without a full component list. It does not establish a separate London swim protocol or confirm that every OFAI stage is required. Use the current posting and candidate instructions.
How should I prepare before recruitment opens?
Start with documents and qualifications that take time: NFPA credentials, DZ licensing and first aid renewals. Maintain fitness, build interview examples and plan assessment costs. Check certificate validity before paying for testing too far ahead.
Go straight to the source
Reviewed against official London sources on November 4, 2026. Requirements, certificate validity and intake dates can change.
Independent guide from Firefighter Academy, not affiliated with the City of London or London Fire Department. Current postings and candidate instructions take priority. Requirements, pay and testing arrangements can change.
Your next step
Plan your application to London Fire Department
Confirm the City’s current requirements and application dates.
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