About the Program
Work Experience
RECRUITMENT FOR WEP 24 IS OPEN
The Big White Fire Department is seeking candidates for the Work Experience Program (WEP 24). We are accepting applications from January 1, 2025 until the end of the business day, February 28, 2025 with the program to run from the end of May 2025 until the end of the ski season 2026 (usually mid to late April).
Do you want to serve as a full time firefighter, gain firefighting experience, continue your fire service education, live in the fire station, and be part of a progressive team? If so, this might be the position you’re looking for!
Being a firefighter is a challenging and rewarding career for both men and women. A firefighter today must be skilled, competent, professional and able to deal with any kind of emergency. Being a WEP firefighter you will have the opportunity to continually maintain and upgrade your skills through specialized training and emergency situations.
Through the 11 month program your responsibilities as a WEP firefighter will include but not be limited to:
- Fire Suppression
- Fire Prevention
- Fire Inspections
- Motor Vehicle Incidents
- Emergency Medical Responder
- First Responder
- Public Education
- Public Assists
- Fire Station & Equipment Maintenance
- Duty Shifts
- Volunteerism
- Fundraising
Over 89% of our graduating members have gone on to career positions in 50 plus departments across Canada
Program Overview
- Trainees will have the opportunity to maintain their previously acquired NFPA 1001 skills through specialized training drills, regular training sessions, emergency response calls and examinations.
- Trainees will acquire job experience by participating in specialized programs such as pre-incident planning, public education, regular fire hall duties and other volunteer training programs.
- Trainees will train and be EMA certified as Medical First Responders Schedule 2. They will also complete the Canadian Red Cross EMR course.
- Trainees will become regular paid-on-call members of the Big White Fire Dept. and will be required to uphold the same standards and commitments. Trainees will receive the same stipends as the regular paid-on-call members.
- The Big White Fire Dept. will assist the candidates career search for Fire Department job postings and provide education such as interview and resume writing skills.
- Vacation time or personal leave can be made available upon request.
- Trainees will be required to make a 11 month commitment to the program.
WEP Members will...
- be involved in regular duty shifts.
- create and maintain pre-incident plans, public education and participate in company inspections.
- participate in specialized training sessions to maintain and enhance their certification and skill levels.
- have the opportunity to instruct training courses to regular members in order to further apply and challenge their skills and abilities.
- complete regular hall and equipment maintenance as an integral part of the program.
- respond to emergency calls as paid-on-call members of the Big White Fire Department.
WEP firefighters also spend many hours living and working together while also performing routine duties at the fire hall. For this reason, the ability to accept orders, work as a team and to get along well with others is essential for all WEP firefighters. You must also be able to assess situations, make decisions, and act on your own initiatives.
Accommodations
To assist with the cost of living the Big White Fire Department will provide accommodations at the fire station as part of the work experience initiative. These accommodations will include separate bedrooms, bathrooms, laundry facilities, weight training room, full cooking facilities, two lounge areas, two training rooms and an office area with access to a computer and internet.
Requirements List
Your application package MUST include the following to be considered complete:
- WEP Qualifications Checklist
- Cover Letter and Resume with current contact information
- List of your certificates (include all fire and non-fire if applicable, only provide copies of certificates upon request)
- Educational diplomas (high school, post secondary or trade school)
- Criminal record check
- Driver’s abstract & copy of driver’s license
- NFPA 1001 level 1 & 2 Certificates
- NFPA 472 Hazmat Ops Certificate
- Three reference letters (from employers, volunteer experience, etc.) with their current contact information
- Doctor’s medical clearance (download here) or certificate of fitness. (York, CPAT, Brock, OFAI or equivalent)
Ready to Submit?
We are accepting applications from January 1, 2025 until the end of the business day, February 28, 2025
Step 1: Applications Received
Step 2: Applications Reviewed
Step 3: Selected Candidates will receive an Interview Questionnaire via email
Step 4: Zoom Interviews
Step 5: Reference Checks
Step 6: Acceptance Offer to WEP ends March 2025
Step 7: Tentative Start Date: Monday, May 26th, 2025
Apply Now
For recruitment information and questions, please contact:
Deputy Fire Chief Dominic Carlile
Big White Fire Department
7555 Porcupine Rd.
Big White Mountain, BC V1P 1T4
Phone: 250-765-3090
Fax: 250-765-3051
Email: bwfdoperations@rdkb.com
Is the Work Experience
Program
Right for you?
View a list of all past candidates and hear what some of them have said about the Work Experience program here at Big White Fire!
