The people of fire management

Parks Canada is committed and actively engaged in ensuring an equitable and inclusive work culture. The pursuit of equity, diversity and inclusion is a long-term commitment and Parks Canada’s Fire Management Program has made this a priority.

Fire crews

Three fire crew members pose for the camera while holding chainsaws during wildfire risk reduction work in Banff National Park

Parks Canada has both Type 1 and Type 2 fire crews across the country. Type 1 fire crews are the primary fire response force of the agency, consisting of four people in each crew. Type 1 fire crews are generally the first people who will respond to a fire.

Type 2 fire crews are generally trained personnel outside of the fire management program. These individuals are often used for low to moderate-complexity fires. Type 2 fire crews may be called upon in times of need and to support prescribed fire operations.

Both types of crews undergo medical testing and fitness testing to ensure they are qualified to work for the fire season. Fitness requirements differ depending on the type of crew.

Other fire management personnel

The Parks Canada fire management program has a wide variety of positions across the agency. Each position is unique and plays an important role.

Wood Buffalo National Parks’ fire radio operator, is shown at her computer while coordinating multiple wildfires with fire management specialists in-the-field

Some position examples include:

fire management officers
fire management technicians
fire information officers
Indigenous fire specialists
and more!

Three fire crew members smile as they prepare their field equipment for the day in Wood Buffalo National Park

Areas of expertise include:

fire weather
aircraft operations
communications
logistics
diversity and inclusion
fire finance
fire information and data management
fire ecology
geographic information systems (GIS)
Indigenous fire stewardship
prescribed fire planning
safety and mental health
training
wildfire risk reduction
fire behaviour analysis

National Incident Management Teams (NIMT’s)

NIMT’s are groups of specially trained emergency responders. Team members are located in parks across the country. Parks Canada sends NIMT members to high-complexity incidents at national parks and national historic sites where extra assistance is needed (ex: fires, hurricanes, floods, etc.).

Five Incident Management Team members pose for the camera in during the Chetamon wildfire in Jasper National Park

Each NIMT works under the Incident Command System (ICS) structure. This ensures personnel can work seamlessly in all Parks Canada administered places and with other agencies.

Did you know? Parks Canada has sent fire management specialists to assist other firefighting agencies in other countries? Example: Australia (2019-2020) and the United States (2020).

Hiring

Parka, the Parks Canada mascot, poses with a fire crew member. Both are holding rolled up fire hose, commonly referred to as ‘melons’.

Considering a career with Parks Canada?

Hiring for fire management positions occurs across the country, throughout the year. Job postings can be found on the Canada.ca website or by reaching out to your local national park or historic site for more information.

Additionally, student positions are posted through the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP).

Government of Canada job postings