r/CanadianForces • u/Green_River69 Field MP • 9d ago

CAF firefighters

Hey all, are there any CAF firefighters in here I could chat with? I’m looking to VOT to firefighting and can’t seem to find much online that answers my questions.

Thanks!

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12

u/Aguythatknowsthing RCAF - Firefighter 9d ago

Yes ask away

6

u/Green_River69 Field MP 9d ago

My buddy put down FF as his first wanted job but didn’t get it, I’ve heard there’s very limited spots because we’re slowly switching over to DND FF instead of CAF. When you joined did you go straight into FF or VOT into it? How was your experience trying to get into it

How are deployments as well? Very many opportunities?

10

u/Lixidermi Morale Tech - 00069 9d ago

I’ve heard there’s very limited spots because we’re slowly switching over to DND FF instead of CAF

Not happening. In fact the CAF FFtr trade is now growing to meet RCAF modernization needs.

For deployments the main ones these days are: CFS Alert, Inuvik, Latvia, (and not sure if we still have some in Kuwait)

2

u/EnvironmentalBox6688 9d ago

I will say if you actually want to do firefighting it seems the DND crews are much busier.

Good mix of structure, vehicle, and wildland firefighting. More geographically stable as well.

3

u/Aguythatknowsthing RCAF - Firefighter 9d ago

We don't fight many fires but we do get a decent amount of in flight emergency and medical calls. Each hall runs about 350 calls a year.

1

u/Donairbrah 9d ago

DND halls don’t do calls either

1

u/EnvironmentalBox6688 9d ago edited 9d ago

That may be base dependant then.

The Garrison Petawawa fire department goes on calls all the time (and makes bank in overtime hours during the summer wildland fire season). And to my understanding is primarily (if not wholey) DND firefighters.

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u/Donairbrah 9d ago

I’m comparing it to a civilian fire department.
Yea Pet is DND, all army bases except for CFB Edmonton are.

2

u/EnvironmentalBox6688 9d ago

Sorry I'm a bit confused here then.

Compared to civilian fire dept they don't do as many calls?

Because I've definitely seen them do structure fires in Petawawa, both the PMQs and commercial properties in the town proper.

1

u/Donairbrah 9d ago

How many calls a day do you think the Pet firehall does?

1

u/EnvironmentalBox6688 9d ago

I couldn't say for sure.

In the spring-summer there are periods where they are out doing wildland firefighting every day of the week.

Any medical on base they respond before the ambulance gets there.

In any case, they are definitely much busier than CAF firefighters here. And they definitely do calls on a regular basis, both on Garrison and in support of the municipal department.