Mississauga, Ontario Hiring guide
Mississauga Firefighter Recruitment: Requirements, Salary & Hiring Process
Prepare for MFES recruitment with clear guidance on qualifications, pay, City-run assessments, swimming, fitness, interviews and application costs.
Department size
22 fire stations
Serving Mississauga
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 · 2026 posting marked filled. This review is separate from board availability.
How to become a Mississauga firefighter
- 1
Check your documents first
Complete NFPA qualifications before applying, confirm your DZ licence and keep first aid and CPR current.
- 2
Budget before you submit
The published process lists a $150 plus tax application fee and about $500 in further assessment costs for invited candidates.
- 3
Train for the full process
Prepare for swimming, job-related physical work, interviews and City-scheduled York fitness testing.
The department at a glance
Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services recruits career firefighters through its own selection process. Expect screening, interviews and several job-related assessments, with details provided to selected candidates. Its 2026 posting is marked filled. Use this guide to prepare for the next competition and check the City portal for openings.
More than firefighting
MFES operates from 22 stations and responds to fires, medical emergencies, vehicle collisions, hazardous materials and technical rescues. Training, equipment readiness and public education are also part of the job. The Garry W. Morden Centre supports department training and development.
Pay & working pattern
First-class firefighter — verified 2024 base · $114,483 per year
Effective January 1, 2024
The union’s January 1, 2024 first-class base is $114,483 annually. The 2026 advertisement still quoted $68,690–$114,483, with the lower figure representing entry pay. These are dated figures, not a verified newer settlement. Overtime, allowances, benefits and deductions are excluded.
The 2026 FAQ describes rotating 24-hour shifts, 8 a.m. to 8 a.m., averaging 42 hours a week over 28 days, including weekends and holidays. New firefighters complete a 17-week training program and 12-month probation.
Minimum qualifications
Have the minimum qualifications before applying. Required NFPA certifications must be completed before submission; related experience does not replace a missing minimum.
- 01Age and work eligibility
- Be at least 18 at application and legally entitled to work in Canada.
- 02Secondary education
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent. Have international credentials assessed through an accepted credential service.
- 03Firefighter certification
- NFPA 1001 Firefighter I and II, with NFPA 1072 or 472 hazardous materials Awareness and Operations, or the City’s accepted equivalent. Complete these before submitting.
- 04First aid and CPR
- Hold current Standard First Aid and the required CPR qualification. Check the posting for accepted higher-level medical credentials.
- 05Unrestricted DZ licence
- Hold an unrestricted Ontario DZ licence or accepted Ministry of Transportation equivalent and an acceptable driving record.
- 06Conditional employment checks
- Expect medical, vision and hearing requirements, a Level 3 vulnerable sector check and verification of your qualifications. Candidates pay applicable document costs.
What strengthens your application
Preferred qualifications help the City compare candidates. Include the duration, responsibilities and evidence behind each claim.
Public service and teamwork
Show sustained volunteer work, customer service or community involvement with specific examples of responsibility.
Relevant work and education
Postsecondary education, trades, emergency services, firefighting and heavy-vehicle experience are among the published preferences.
Additional practical skills
National Lifeguard certification, emergency medical training, rescue skills and additional languages may strengthen an application.
Aptitude & physical testing
Mississauga’s FAQ says OFAI certification is neither required nor accepted for recruitment. The City arranges its own internal and external evaluations. Book assessments when directed.
City-arranged assessments
The published process includes cognitive, behavioural and practical evaluations. A test brand or a fixed written format is not confirmed in the reviewed City material. Use your invitation to plan specific preparation.
York University firefighter fitness
The City schedules this assessment for selected candidates. Do not assume a privately booked OFAI result will substitute for Mississauga’s requirements.
A separate recruitment assessment
Swimming is part of the published selection framework. Build water confidence and endurance, then follow the distances, tasks and equipment rules in your invitation.
Conditions of employment
Expect medical and job-related suitability evaluations. Ask the recruitment team about documentation or accommodation requirements before your assessment date.
The recruitment process
The City may use one or several interviews and multiple assessments. This is the published framework; your invitation controls order, dates and instructions.
- 1
Pay the fee and apply
Submit a complete application during an open competition.
The published application and administration fee is $150 plus tax. Keep the order number and follow the posting’s payment instructions.
- 2
Application screening
Meet every minimum and provide requested evidence.
Make dates, certifications and work history easy to verify. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee an interview.
- 3
Interviews
Expect one or more job-related interviews.
Prepare specific examples of teamwork, judgment, communication and handling pressure. Explain your own actions and what changed as a result.
- 4
Recruitment assessments
Complete the City’s invited assessments.
The framework includes physical, swimming, practical, cognitive and behavioural evaluations. Budget approximately $500 in further physical and/or medical assessment costs, as published.
- 5
Conditional checks
Validate documents and employment conditions.
This can include medical evaluation, a driving record and a Level 3 vulnerable sector check. Obtain time-sensitive documents when directed.
- 6
Recruit training and probation
Complete the 17-week training program and 12-month probation.
A successful recruitment application is the start of department training. Maintain your fitness and ability to learn practical skills throughout the process.
Your application checklist
Use this preparation checklist alongside the current posting. Checking an item does not confirm eligibility.
Get notified when Mississauga hiring opens
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Common questions
Guidance for Mississauga applicants. Confirm details with the referenced official sources and current posting.
Is Mississauga hiring firefighters now?
The reviewed 2026 City job page is marked filled. Check the City jobs portal for a new competition; the next opening date was not announced in the reviewed material.
Does Mississauga accept OFAI testing?
The City’s 2026 FAQ says OFAI certification is neither required nor accepted for its recruitment process. You still need the required NFPA firefighter and hazardous materials qualifications.
What written test does Mississauga use?
The City describes cognitive and other job-related evaluations but does not identify a fixed test provider in the reviewed sources. Do not assume the FACT or CPS format. Follow your candidate invitation.
How much does applying cost?
The published application and administration fee is $150 plus tax, non-refundable. Invited candidates should also budget approximately $500 for further physical and/or medical assessments, plus applicable document costs. Check current instructions before paying.
What is the first-class firefighter salary?
The verified January 1, 2024 first-class base is $114,483 annually. The 2026 advertisement still listed $68,690 to $114,483. These dated amounts exclude overtime and allowances; a newer pay settlement was not verified.
Does Mississauga require a swim assessment?
Swimming appears in the City’s recruitment assessment framework. The reviewed public material does not give a complete current swim protocol. Your invitation provides the requirements for your competition.
Can I finish my NFPA certifications after applying?
The published requirements say required NFPA certifications must be completed before application. Do not count on completing a missing minimum later in the process.
Will updating my candidate profile update my application?
No. The City FAQ says an application is a snapshot at submission. Profile changes do not update an application already submitted. Contact recruitment if you need to correct a submitted application.
Go straight to the source
Reviewed against official Mississauga sources on November 4, 2026. Requirements, certificate validity and intake dates can change.
Independent guide from Firefighter Academy, not affiliated with MFES. Current City postings and candidate instructions take priority. Requirements, fees and pay can change.
Your next step
Plan your application to Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services
Confirm the City’s current requirements and application dates.
Browse recruitment postings