THUNDER BAY — COVID-19 has resulted in at least a temporary end to the practice of gathering hundreds of applicants in a hall to write an aptitude test.
Thunder Bay Fire Rescue has launched a new recruitment drive with some changes aimed at reducing the risk of spreading the virus.
Every two years, the fire service compiles a list of potential candidates to fill vacancies that may develop due to retirement.
Fire Chief Greg Hankkio says even though he plans to reduce his ranks by eight firefighters over the next three years, through retirement, he still needs to ensure the department has a pool of qualified people to maintain adequate staffing.
Retirement is mandatory at age 60.
Changes to the recruitment process are significant.
"They are entirely in the context of COVID-19. We'll look at it as a trial process as well, so it may become permanent," Hankkio said.
Previously, the process started with a written aptitude test.
Under the new system, the first step requires submission of an application and resume. After applications are reviewed, those candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and experience will be be invited to take the aptitude test.
"This time, we will vet the applications through a panel, using certain criteria. We will basically short-list from there, and let the people who are successful in moving on to the physical and job-related process," Hankkio said.
Based on what has happened in the past, he anticipates 20 to 30 individuals will pass the initial screening.
Under the old system, all applicants completed the test, and everyone had to pay a nominal fee to take it.
The fee will now be incurred only by candidates who move on from the resume/application review stage.
| Stage | Previous Process | New Process |
| One | Written aptitude test | Resume/application review |
| Two | Health and Medical Fitness evaluation | Verification of required documents |
| Three | Job-related physical fitness test | Written aptitude test |
| Four | Resume/application review | Health and Medical Fitness evaluation |
| Five | Interview | Job-related physical fitness test |
| Six | Reference checks | Interview |
| Seven | Reference checks |
Hankkio said there's no hard target date for taking on any new recruits as probationary firefighters, but it may not happen until late this year or early 2022.
Applications are available until March 1, 2021.
More information is available online at www.thunderbay.ca/firefighter
Under the current collective agreement, the starting salary for a firefighter (4th class) is $62,000.
A third class firefighter (2nd year) earns $72,000, a fourth class firefighter (3rd year) just under $88,000, and a first class firefighter (4th year) $103,000.
In some previous recruitment exercises, Thunder Bay Fire Rescue has received several hundred applications.
