Paid On-Call Firefighter Recruitment

West Kelowna Fire Rescue is hiring!

West Kelowna Fire Rescue (WKFR) is looking for people, who are passionate about helping others and protecting our community, to join their team of Paid On-Call firefighters.

WKFR plans to fill several positions to increase their team of Paid On-Call firefighters. Online applications are now being accepted until Friday, October 24 and training for successful candidates will begin in January 2026.

WKFR provides emergency response, fire prevention and protection and rescue services for the City of West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation. Serving our Greater Westside communities since 1949, career and Paid On-Call firefighters respond to emergencies 24/7, 365 days per year. The department also partners with fire and rescue services in other jurisdictions to help with regional, provincial and national emergencies.

Key dates

• September 29 to October 24: Online application period open
• October 8: Information Session
  • Glenrosa Fire Station #34 (3399 Gates Road)
  • Doors open: 6 p.m.
  • Presentation begins: 6:30 p.m.
• End of October: Successful applicants are contacted
• November 2025:
  • Physical and skills testing begins
  • Candidate interviews
• Early December 2025: Successful candidates are notified
• January 2026: Training program begins

About the program

In support of career firefighters, Paid On-Call firefighters are professionals who demonstrate a willingness to help, work well as part of a team and are dedicated members of the community. Previous firefighting experience is not required.

The Paid On-Call training program is a nine-month process comprised of weekday and weekend sessions. A detailed training schedule will be presented at the Information Session. The training program is designed to give applicants necessary skills to be a Paid On-Call member with WKFR.

Training topics will cover Emergency Medical First Responder 3 with AED and Spinal, NFPA 1001, S100/S130 Wildland Firefighter and JIBC Live Fire 1 and 2 and HAZMAT Ops.

WFKR will provide professional training and on the job experience to become valued members of the team and highly skilled firefighters. Members find the program rewarding because they are able to make a difference in their local community.

After successful completion of testing and training, members will earn their professional qualification and be assigned to one of two Paid On-Call stations based on where they live. Members will be required to attend a minimum of 30% of all calls, at least 75% of weekly training and complete a six-month probationary period.