Firefighters in Wood Buffalo - Cold Lake

The employment outlook will be Moderate for firefighters (NOC 42101) in the Wood Buffalo - Cold Lake region for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

• Job growth for this occupation depends mainly on government budget allocations for public safety. 
• Most jobs in the field are with municipal fire fighting services, but opportunities may also exist with First Nations emergency services.
• Population growth is expected to result in expanded emergency services in some areas.
• In 2025, the Government of Alberta announced $1 million in grants through the Fire Services Training Program, a one-time increase aimed at enhancing firefighter readiness across more than 65 municipalities, First Nations, and Métis Settlements.

Here are some key facts about firefighters in the Wood Buffalo - Cold Lake region:

• Approximately 250 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
• Firefighters mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Local, municipal, regional, aboriginal and other public administration (NAICS 913-919): 71%
  • Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211, 213): 14%
  • Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 9%
  • Professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 54): 5%