FAQ

What is the process after I apply?

Please see this page for an outline of our recruitment process.

How many calls do you do per day/year?

Please see these articles for further details on our call volume

On average we do a call per day, however we can go days without a call and then we do 6 or more in just a day. As with any emergency service, there is no telling when someone is in need of help and we might get a call.

Do I have to live in the community?

No! While we do focus on local volunteers and they have priority, we do have members from outside of the community (Cochrane, Calgary).

I live in Calgary, can I apply?

Yes! We encourage everyone who is interested in working for RMES to apply.

What are the minimum requirements?

18 years old, in good health, clear criminal records check, clear child intervention check, valid drivers license.

Do I need to have CPR certification?

Yes. A current standard first aid with CPR is required when applying. RMES will provide members with annual CPR recertification free of charge.

Do I have to have training to apply?

No, Redwood Meadows Emergency Services will provide all required training for its members. However, any previous training & experience is an asset.

Do I need to shave (my beard)?

Yes! In order to guarantee a good seal on your SCBA mask, you will need to shave you beard and maintain a clean shaven face. You are allowed to have a trimmed moustache.

Can I do a ride along before I apply?

At this time we do not allow ride-alongs on calls.

How much time will I have to commit?

Volunteer Firefighting is much different than other volunteer positions. Members must obtain and maintain training, respond to calls and ensure equipment and vehicles are ready. As a minimum we ask members to attend:

Tuesday Night Training
2- 12hr Duty shifts every month
Recruit Training
Public Events
Respond to calls when able

Are there minimum participation requirements?

Yes there are!

Per year, members need to attend a minimum of 35% of the Tuesday training nights (18 nights), 18 12-hour duty shifts and 12% of the calls. These percentages are prorated according to when a member starts during the year and are also prorated for approved LOA's.

For example, if there are 450 calls in a year, assuming the member was eligible to respond the full year, the expected minimum attendance is 54 calls, (or average of 4.5 calls per month).

The minimum number of calls attended for a quarter, assuming the member was eligible to respond for the full quarter, is 13.5.

Is there coverage in case I get hurt?

Yes, while we focus on safety, there is coverage through both WCB and a third party insurance policy in the event of an accident.

When are your duty shifts?

RMES schedules duty shifts every Saturday and Sunday of the year from 08:00-20:00. During this time members are expected to be at the station.

We also schedule duty shifts on every basic and optional holiday found on this page: https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-general-holidays.aspx, including the Friday of Rodeo Weekend (last weekend in July) and December 31st.

Local members are required to be at the station from 10:00-15:00 and can respond from home outside these hours, but should remain readily available when not at the station (ie stay in the response area, not take on any chores that prevent the member from responding without delay, etc, etc). Non-local members are expected to be at the station during the entire time from 08:00-20:00.

Do I need to have a good physical condition?

You should be in good health and have a good physical condition when you apply.

Although there is no formal fitness test during the application process, members are required to pass an annual physical readiness assessment (PRA) in order to maintain their active status with RMES.

The annual PRA is a series of standardized tasks designed to simulate the things we encounter ourselves doing on calls and is completed in full turn-out gear and on SCBA. Each member has a limited amount of air and time to complete the tasks.

What documents do I need to supply?

If you get selected for an interview, we ask that you fill out a comprehensive application form that will collect all the required information for your application. With that application form we ask that you submit the following documents with your application, where applicable: Copy of the front and back of your driver’s license (required); Copy of you high school diploma and your post-secondary degree(s) (required); Copy of NFPA certificates (472/1001/1002/1041/1051/etc); Copy of your ACP registration; Copy of your standard first aid with CPR certificate (required); Copy of your medical certificates (EMR/PCP/ITLS/etc); Copy of your immunization history (required).

Please be advised that after a conditional job offer is made (no sooner than AFTER the interview stage) the following documents will also be required. DO NOT apply for these documents at this time as there is no reason for you to incur the costs associated with these documents at this stage in the process: Five year drivers abstract from every jurisdiction you held a valid license in the last 5 years, valid within the past 3 months; Police Information Check with vulnerable sectors from your local police department dated within the past 3 months; (Child) Intervention Record Check from a Children’s Services office dated within the past 3 months; Medical examination by a physician dated within the past 3 months.

What is you interview format and style?

The interview format will be in panel format with 3 members.

We do not follow a specific style, but our questions are a mix of open-ended, situational and behavioral questions.

Do I get paid as a member?

No. We are a 100% volunteer run organization. There might however be some tax benefits and credits available to those who qualify under the CRA rules and regulations.

Are you a paid-on-call, hybrid or paid department?

We are a 100% volunteer run organization and as such we do not have paid-on-call or any other form of paid members.

Why do you require my full address on my resume?

As part of the application process we need to determine how long your driving time is from your home to the fire hall. This is important for us as we are a volunteer organization that relies on members responding from home, outside regular duty shifts. This helps us prioritize those applicants that have shorter response times.

Have more questions?

Email us at recruiting@rmesfire.org

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