40041
Canada Moderate

Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers

Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate firefighting operations and fire prevention activities in fire departments. They are employed by municipal and federal governments and by industrial establishments with firefighting services.

Employment Outlooks

Economic Region Outlooks

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Choose up to 3 regions to see employment outlooks. This occupation has data for 72 economic regions.

Salary Information

National wage data for this occupation
Entry-level
CA$37.02
/hr
Typical
CA$62.64
/hr
Experienced
CA$83.84
/hr

Average: CA$61.72/hr

98.4% of workers in this occupation receive non-wage benefits

Source: Job Bank Canada. Wages may vary by region and experience.

Examples

Illustrative Examples
  • deputy fire chief
  • district fire chief
  • fire chief
All Examples
  • senior firefighting officer
  • airport fire department chief
  • deputy fire chief
  • district fire chief
  • division chief - fire department
  • fire chief
  • fire department assistant deputy chief
  • fire department assistant manager
  • fire department chief
  • fire department division chief
  • fire department duty officer
  • firefighters executive officer
  • industrial fire chief
  • refinery fire chief
  • sawmill fire chief

Main Duties

Main Duties
  • This group performs some or all of the following duties:
  • Develop, implement and evaluate policies and procedures for the operation of a municipal fire department, a district fire region or an industrial firefighting service
  • Plan, direct and coordinate firefighting strategies for fire departments
  • Evaluate the type of fire, the extent of damage to buildings and the danger to nearby establishments
  • Direct activities at the scene of a fire
  • Determine damage estimates and investigate the potential causes of a fire after extinguished
  • Develop and oversee the implementation of security and fire prevention campaigns
  • Represent the fire department in communications with government, the media and the public
  • Direct the training of personnel in firefighting methods
  • Coordinate and monitor budget and departmental resources.

Requirements

Employment Requirements
  • Completion of secondary school is required.
  • Completion of a college program in fire protection technology, fire science or a related field is usually required.
  • Completion of a provincial or municipal firefighters training course is required.
  • A minimum of ten years of experience as a firefighter is usually required before becoming eligible for a senior officer position.

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Data from Statistics Canada (NOC 2021), ESDC Labour Market Information, and Job Bank Canada