Frequently asked recruitment questions

The following are questions frequently asked in relation to our full time Fire Fighter-Paramedic/EMT recruitments:

  1. How many staff is SCES hiring for the Winter 2012 competition?
    We are hiring eight staff. 
  2. I have heard that all new staff are only being hired on a contract basis. Is this true?
    No. We are hiring on a permanent basis. No one signs any contracts.
  3. Did you sign a contract with Alberta Health Services for EMS? For how long? How many ambulances?
    We have recently received notice of a contract extension and the possibility of a long-term opportunity to continue to provide EMS to our community and the surrounding region as part of the overall provincial EMS strategy. SCES currently provides four (4) ALS ambulances. 
  4. Do new Paramedics and EMTs only work on the ambulances?
    No. In our system, Fire Fighter-Paramedics and Fire Fighter-EMTs are assigned to a number of apparatus each day, including both fire trucks and ambulances. Members go on whatever call comes in next - fire, rescue or EMS.
  5. Yes, but new Paramedics will be on the ambulance all the time and old Fire Fighters won't, right?
    That is not the case. We have an average of 10 Paramedics on each Platoon and we only provide four ambulances. This means that Fire Fighter-Paramedics will not be on the ambulances every day. It is true that our most senior staff (like the Platoon Chief) who are Paramedics do not normally do primary EMS calls, but they are also not included in the 10 per shift.
  6. I heard that you stopped doing 3-person EMS responses. Is that true?
    No. We are one of the few departments in North America that staff each ambulance with at least one (1) Fire Fighter-Paramedic and two (2) Fire Fighter-EMTs. We will sometimes "drop off" the third member at a Station while enroute to the hospital or send another unit to pick a member up from the scene if the patient will not require all three practitioners. For known cardiac arrest calls, we send three members on an ambulance and four members on a squad. This means we do not usually need to use an Engine response for back-up.
  7. How does the IAFF Salary Matching Plan work?
    If a successful candidate is an IAFF member in good standing with another department immediately before being hired by SCES, we will pay the new member at up to First Class salary, depending on their years of service. For example, all new members usually start at the Fourth Class rate and go up one step for the first four years, however, if someone left another IAFF department as a First Class Fire Fighter (i.e. they had four years of service), we would pay them at the First Class Rate for the first four years.
  8. Does the same Salary Matching Plan apply to CUPE or other unions?
    Starting in 2010, the hiring panel will review the experience level of Firefighter/EMTs and Paramedics to determine if a starting wage above 4th class should be offered. You would still have to be in good standing with a union at the time of job offer. You would be offered a starting rate at 4th Class, 3rd Class, 2nd Class or 1st Class depending on your experience and the decision of the hiring panel. The offer is not negotiable.
  9. What are the current pay rates for the starting salary? How do you move up?
    The pay rates effective January 1, 2011 are as follows:
    - 4th Class Firefighter (probationary starting rate) is $30.59/hour or $66,802/year
    - 3rd Class Firefighter is $32.55/hour or $71,085/year
    - 2nd Class Firefighter is $35.68/hour or $77,936/year
    - 1st Class Firefighter is $39.21/hour or $85,644/year
    A member moves up one step on the anniversary of their employment. 
  10. I am from out of province. I have my NFPA 1001 but not my EMT. Can I still apply?
    No. You do not meet our minimum requirements. You must be registered with the Alberta College of Paramedics (ACP) as an EMT. This is a somewhat lengthy process and (probably) cannot be accomplished in time to apply for the current advertised recruitment. If you are already in the process of applying for an ACP license, we will accept your application on a permanent basis.
  11. I am an NFPA 1001 with my EMR. Can I apply?
    No. However, if you are currently in EMT school and will have completed the ACP exam prior to April 2012, you can apply for the current advertised recruitment.
  12. I have my NFPA 1001 and I am a registered PCP (EMT) in Saskatchewan. I am going through the ACP process and I have a restricted Alberta license. How can I find the appropriate education modules in order to upgrade to an unrestricted license? Can I still apply for the competition?
    A number of schools may offer the appropriate modules. You may still apply, provided you have gained or will soon gain a restricted license. If you are successful in the competition and accept a position with SCES, we will work to find and/or offer the required upgrading modules prior to the end of your orientation period.
  13. What is in the future for SCES?
    While we cannot predict the future, there are a number of positive signs for the future and growth of SCES. Our community continues to grow, both in and around Sherwood Park, as well as in the rural areas. This results in more calls year after year and increases the demand for our services. Station 6 was approved in this year's budget and is currently in the design stage. It will open for service in late 2012. We hope to expand our Hazmat capability in the future. Finally, we are working hard to be a valuable EMS contractor for Alberta Health Services and hope to continue providing high quality ambulance delivery to our region. These are all opportunities for SCES to grow over the next few years.

If you have further questions, please direct them to
Vern Elliott
Deputy Fire Chief - Human Resources and Logistics

Additional questions and answers will be posted as they are received.

Last updated: Thursday, December 22, 2011
Page ID: 2385

County Hall: 2001 Sherwood Drive, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada T8A 3W7