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Become a Firemedic: A Challenging and Rewarding Career
Considering a Career with The City of Red Deer Emergency Services? Employment with the growing Red Deer Emergency Services Department offers an extremely challenging and rewarding career in a progressively growing city. Red Deer has become a model for other communities in the way we deliver our combined Fire/Rescue/Advanced Life Support Ambulance Service.
As a full-time Firemedic with RDES you become a valuable member of a team of skilled professionals that use specialized equipment, leading-edge technologies and modern methods in the preservation of life and property.
The Red Deer Emergency Services responds to approximately 8000 emergencies within the city and surrounding area. Of those calls, roughly 1300 are Fire/Rescue related and 6700 are medical responses.
The RDES is responsible for providing the following emergency services to the community:
- Fire Suppression / Rescue
- Advanced Life Support (ALS)
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Fire Prevention and Public Education
- Arson and Fire Investigation
- Safety Codes Enforcement
- Hazardous Material Response and Pre-Planning
- Pre-Fire Planning of Structures / Property
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- Vehicle Extrication / Rescue
- Trench Collapse Rescue
- High Angle Rope Rescue
- Enhanced 911 Dispatch System
- River Rescue
- Disaster Services
- Firefighter Training
| Red Deer Emergency Services and Firemedics
Red Deer Emergency Services provides a dual service: Fire and Ambulance. All new employees must first be a registered paramedics or EMT-A's then are cross-trained as firefighters.
The Emergency Services Department presently operates out of five stations strategically located within the city. You will be assigned to one of four platoons, where, under the leadership of a Fire Officer, you will be required to respond to emergencies and continually update your skills through an intensive and thorough training process throughout your career.
A Firemedic must not only be able to function effectively at an emergency scene, he or she must be capable of dealing well with fellow employees in the station.
Qualifications (Revised Requirements - July 2009)
- Certificate to practice pre-hospital care at the Advanced Life Support Level- EMT-P; (if you are a student please indicate date of completion).
EMT-A will also be considered
Ability to register as a Paramedic with ACP – if out of province please indicate date writing ACP exam
Pass physical endurance and agility tests as well as a written aptitude evaluation
Ability to possess a class 3 and 4 Driver’s license with air brake (Q) endorsement
Must be willing to reside within a 24 kilometre (15 mile) radius of the City of Red Deer
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the public
Previous certified training in areas under NFPA 1001 is desirable
Pre-Employment Testing
Aptitude Test
Candidates will undergo an aptitude test that evaluates his or her suitability for this type of employment. This test consists of problem-solving questions which will indicate the candidates' understanding of word definitions, spelling ability, arithmetic, geometry, mechanical ability, and problem solving. There is a minimum passing mark on this exam.
Oral Interview
Senior Officers of the Emergency Services Department and the City Human Resources conduct individual oral pre-screening and final interviews with each candidate.
Medical Testing
The job is both physically and emotionally demanding, therefore applicants must be in excellent physical condition as well as in good health. Candidates must pass a medical examination to NFPA 1001 (Standards for Professional Qualifications, Chapter 2-Entrance Requirements) conducted by physicians designated by The City of Red Deer, at no cost to the candidate. There is no grade or mark to this examination - either a candidate passes or fails, and is so informed.
Candidates must have 20/20 vision (may be corrected) and must not be color blind. Candidates must not have any hearing impairments.
Physical Activity Testing
A physical agility test or NRAT (New Recruit Ability Test) is conducted by the Emergency Services Department personnel to indicate the candidate's ability to perform various fire ground related job functions. This will evaluate a candidate’s strength, endurance, stamina and fortitude. The NRAT is very physically demanding and is a timed event. Candidates are expected to complete this in under 7 minutes 30 seconds; previous candidates have completed this event in as little as 4:15. The candidate will wear a 20kg vest/helmet and gloves which are provided. The NRAT involves the following evolutions in order and consecutively:
- Carrying 1 - 65mm hose load up and down 3 stories
- Hoisting and lowering a 65mm hose roll 3 stories twice
- Lifting and carrying a PPV fan
- Forcible ventilation/simulation entry using a Kaiser sled and sledge
- Advancement of a charged 45mm hoseline
- Lifting and placement of 4 - 65mm hose rolls on the back of a fire department apparatus
- Lifting and dragging a 65 kg mannequin
Detailed outline of the NRAT test.
Video of our NRAT test on YouTube.
The NRAT takes place at the Red Deer Emergency Services Fire Training Facility. Layout of the Fire Training Facility site.
The candidates will also take part in a simulated search and rescue in a building maze using SCBA with a blacked-out face-piece and then placed in an Aerial Apparatus and taken to 40 meter height with qualified personnel.
Most of these tests are timed and candidates must pass each test to continue.
Physical Fitness Test
A mandatory physical fitness test is conducted by Peer Fitness Trainers for RDES. These tests involve a 2.4 km run, pull-ups and dips.
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