Firefighters

Firefighters

NOC
42101

carry out firefighting and fire prevention activities and assist in other emergencies.

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Quick facts

3-Year Outlook

Moderate
Moderate

3-Year Job Openings

92
 

Median Hourly Wage

$38.92
$25.64
Low
$44.87
High

Average Salary

$96,000
 

Typically Required

College or apprenticeship

Employed

654
 
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Job details

Full NOC Description

Firefighters carry out firefighting and fire prevention activities, and assist in other emergencies. They are employed by municipal, provincial and federal governments and by large industrial establishments that have internal firefighting services. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Main Duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
  • Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents, bomb threats and other emergencies
  • Rescue victims from burning buildings and accident sites
  • Control and extinguish fires using manual and power equipment, such as axes, water hoses, aerial ladders and hydraulic equipment and various firefighting chemicals
  • Administer first aid and other assistance
  • Ensure proper operation and maintenance of firefighting equipment
  • Prepare written reports on fire incidents
  • Inform and educate the public on fire prevention
  • Train to maintain high level of physical fitness
  • Assist the public, the police and emergency organizations during times of major disasters
  • May participate as members of a trauma or emergency response team and provide paramedical aid to accident victims or ill persons
  • May supervise and coordinate the work of other firefighters
  • May conduct building inspections to ensure compliance with fire code.

    • Also Known As

    • airport firefighter
    • fire captain
    • firefighter
    • firefighter lieutenant
    • industrial firefighter
    • shipboard firefighter
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    Requirements

    Employment Requirements

    Completion of secondary school is usually required.
  • Completion of a college program in fire protection technology, fire science or a related field and a period of supervised practical training is usually required.
  • Firefighting and emergency medical care training courses are provided and vary in length depending on the requirements of different fire departments or services.
  • Certification for firefighters is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
  • Experience as a volunteer firefighter may be an advantage.
  • Physical agility, strength, fitness and vision requirements must be met.
  • Several years of experience are required for senior firefighters, such as lieutenants and captains.

    • Provincial Regulation

    Not Provincially Regulated

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    Employment by Sex

    The following graph shows the percentage of men and women working in this occupation in New Brunswick.

    Data legend

    3.1%
    Female
    96.9%
    Male
    Employment by age

    The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick by age group.

    Data legend

    3.1%
    15-24
    29.1%
    25-34
    29.1%
    35-44
    19.7%
    45-54
    18.1%
    55-64
    0.8%
    65+
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    Employment by highest level of education

    The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick by highest level of education achieved.

    Data legend

    0.0%
    No Certificate, Diploma or Degree
    13.4%
    High School, Diploma or Equivalent
    14.2%
    Apprenticeship or Trades Certificate or Diploma
    59.7%
    College or University Below Bachelor Level
    12.6%
    University - Bachelor Level or Above
    Employment by Industry

    The following graph shows the industry groups in which the largest shares of persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick are employed. Small percentages for all top three industry groups may suggest employment for this occupation is widely distributed amongst many industry groups.

    Data legend

    78.7%
    Public administration
    11.8%
    Utilities
    3.1%
    Transportation and warehousing
    6.3%
    All Other Industries
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    Employment by Economic Regions

    The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons employed in this occupation in New Brunswick by which economic region they reside in.

    Data legend

    7.90%
    Northeast
    22.00%
    Southeast
    42.50%
    Southwest
    22.80%
    Central
    4.70%
    Northwest
    Province of New Brunswick Economic Regions

    Economic Regions

    The following map displays New Brunswick’s five economic regions. An economic region (ER) is a grouping of counties, created as a standard unit for analysis of regional economic activity across Canada.

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    Annual Average Salary by Economic Regions

    The following graph shows the average salary of all persons employed in this occupation in each of New Brunswick’s five economic regions.

    Data legend

    $72,000
    Northeast
    $104,000
    Southeast
    $96,000
    Southwest
    $96,000
    Central
    $90,000
    Northwest
    Province of New Brunswick Economic Regions

    Economic Regions

    The following map displays New Brunswick’s five economic regions. An economic region (ER) is a grouping of counties, created as a standard unit for analysis of regional economic activity across Canada.

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    Hourly Median Wages by Economic Regions

    The following represents the median hourly wage of all persons employed in this occupation in each of New Brunswick’s five economic regions.

    Northeast

    $34.57
    $27.37
    Low
    $43.47
    High

    Southeast

    $38.92
    $25.64
    Low
    $44.87
    High

    Southwest

    $38.92
    $25.64
    Low
    $44.87
    High

    Central

    $37.00
    $18.75
    Low
    $48.53
    High

    Northwest

    $35.78
    $27.86
    Low
    $48.03
    High
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    Salary

    The following shows the average salary of everyone who worked full-time and year-round in this occupation across each of the Atlantic Provinces and nationally.

    New Brunswick

    $96,000

    Newfoundland

    $108,000

    Prince Edward Island

    N/A

    Nova Scotia

    $102,400

    Canada

    $110,900
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    Employment Outlook

    The following represents the number of job openings that are expected to occur in this occupation over the next three and ten years respectively, broken down by openings expected to result from growth (“new jobs”) and openings expected to result from attrition (death and retirements).

    Three Year Outlook

    Total Openings: 3-Year

    92
     

    New Jobs: 3-Year

    55
     

    Retirements/Deaths: 3-Year

    36
     

    Ten Year Outlook

    Total Openings: 10-Year

    218
     

    New Jobs: 10-Year

    80
     

    Retirements/Deaths: 10-Year

    136
     
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