Volunteer Firefighters
Answer the Call
Volunteer Firefighters are the unsung heroes of our communities, embodying courage and selflessness as they stand ready to protect and save lives at a moment’s notice. These dedicated individuals juggle their personal and professional lives to answer the call of duty, providing essential fire and emergency services where resources are limited. Their commitment strengthens relationships within Prince Edward County, enhances safety, and ensures that help is always near. By becoming a Volunteer Firefighter, you’re not just filling a role; you’re becoming a beacon of hope and resilience for your neighbors, making a profound difference every single day.
The current Volunteer Firefighter recruitment cycle is now closed. The application form is still available and new applications will be reviewed and considered in late 2025.
Basic Requirements
- A Valid Ontario Driver’s License
- Minimum 18 years of age
- Physically able to perform tasks and duties of the job
- Able to commit to training
- Live and/or work in the response area
- No conviction of a criminal offense related to the job duties of a firefighter
Responsibilities
- Work as part of an organized, trained team to respond to emergency situations
- Protect citizens in times of crisis
- Perform the duties of emergency responder, fire suppression and public educator as assigned
- Learn the skills of an emergency responder
- Respond to a broad range of emergency situations
- Be a community role model
- Responsible for upgrading and maintaining skills, knowledge and physical requirements
- Maintain the fire station and upkeep of firefighting equipment
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions? We’d be happy to answer them. Read below for a list of frequently asked
questions and our answers.
For further assistance, please contact Training Officer Patrick Howe at phowe@pecounty.on.ca.
In the questions below, Volunteer Firefighter is referred to as “VFF”.
What are the minimum requirements to become a VFF
The minimum requirements to become a VFF are: 18 years of age, must hold a clean driving record, and be able to perform strenuous physical labour.
What kind of training will I receive as a VFF?
All Volunteer Firefighters are trained to the NFPA (National Fire Prevention Association) standard.
How often do VFFs have to be on call/ respond to emergencies?
There is unfortunately no set answer to this question.
Emergencies can happen at any time of day or night, and VFFs are asked to respond when they are able.
Are there costs associated with becoming a VFF?
All costs required for training will be reimbursed by the County.
Will I be compensated for my time as a VFF?
Yes, Volunteer Firefighters are paid an hourly wage for training and emergency response.
What types of emergencies will I be expected to respond to?
VFFs respond to emergencies such as structure fires, motor vehicle collisions, water/ice rescues, and medical response calls.
How does the PECFD and the County support the wellbeing of its volunteers?
The County and PECFD offers a comprehensive insurance policy through VFIS, and many in house opportunities for team bonding and support.
Will I need to attend regular meetings?
Yes, training takes place three evenings per month at your assigned fire hall and is mandatory for all VFFs.
What kind of community involvement or outreach does the department engage in?
The PECFD is proud to participate in a myriad of different community events such as Canada Day celebrations, prevention and education events, and The Picton Fall Fair.
VFF’s are encouraged to attend.
How to Apply
For the position of Volunteer Firefighter, Prince Edward County Fire & Rescue accepts applications from those with previous experience year-round to establish a pool of candidates that can be drawn upon when positions become available within our Fire Department divisions.
For those recruits with no previous experience, your application will be processed in October of each year.
We’ve given you a lot of information to think about here. Or maybe there’s nothing to think about — maybe you knew before you opened this page that you wanted to give back to your community as a Volunteer Firefighter. In either case, we encourage you to take the first step and fill out our online application. It will be directed to our Human Resources Department who work in partnership with Prince Edward County Fire Services. We will be in touch personally to talk with you about the next steps.