Several steps must be taken before becoming a Montréal firefighter.

The objective of the evaluation process is to get to know you better in order to determine if your profile corresponds to the profile the SIM is looking for. This process includes a number of steps such as the following (the order and nature of these steps may be subject to change without notice):

1. Call for candidates posted and candidates’ eligibility verified
2. Psychometric test (personality inventory)
3. Interview to evaluate job-related skills
4. Job-related physical aptitude test
5. Pre-employment checks (criminal background, medical exam, diplomas, class 4A driver’s licence, references)
6. Overall evaluation

Job equality access

New talent is important to the SIM. It has made a commitment to renewing its staff by aiming to recruit talent that reflects Montréal’s diversity.

The SIM applies a job equality access program and invites women, indigenous people, members of visible minorities and ethnic minorities to submit their application during recruitment periods and identify themselves when applying online.

1. Call for candidates and candidates’ eligibility
When the SIM needs to hire employees, a notice will be posted in the Careers section of the city's website (in French). During this period, candidates interested in working as firefighters are invited to apply. Candidates must meet the hiring conditions described in the posting and submit all official documents requested (CV, diploma, photocopy of driver's licence, etc.)
Once the posting period is over, the human resources team will assess the eligibility of applicants, by determining whether they meet the requirements listed in the posting and whether they are admissible.
Applications are accepted only when a hiring notice is posted. Applications received after the deadline or outside of the hiring period will not be considered.

2. Psychometric test (personality inventory)

The first step in the process is a personality inventory; a psychometric assessment that focuses on personality to determine if you are a good fit for the SIM Firefighter job.

There is no specific preparation for this exam, other than knowing yourself and knowing the skills profile we are looking for. There are no right or wrong answers. The most important thing is to answer truthfully.

This step is eliminatory and candidates that best match the profile the SIM is looking for will be retained to continue the evaluation process, depending on the SIM’s recruitment needs.

3. Interview to evaluate job-related skills

The interview is intended to evaluate candidates’ skills related to the position through general interview questions and situational/role-playing exercises.

The main skills that will be evaluated are: Interpersonal communication / teamwork

  • Commitment and sense of responsibility
  • Stress and emotion management
  • Client centred

This step is eliminatory and candidates that best match the profile the SIM is looking for will be retained to continue the evaluation process, depending on the SIM’s recruitment needs.

4. Job-related physical aptitude test

This is a two-part test. The first part is designed to assess candidates’ cardiovascular capacity (eliminatory step). The second part is a timed exercise with different physical tests related to a firefighter’s job (eliminatory step). The exercise calls on specific physical abilities and technical skills in carrying out a series of tasks deemed essential in responding to a fire. Candidates must complete the exercise as quickly as possible, within the specified time limit, safely and with the maximum technical efficiency.
You'll find the preparatory document in the "Downloadable Documents" section at the bottom of this page. The physical fitness evaluation for the position of firefighter is subject to change at any time. This preparatory guide is provided as an example.
This step is eliminatory. You must successfully pass both parts in order to continue with the evaluation process, depending on the SIM’s recruitment needs.

5. Pre-employment checks (criminal background, medical exam, diplomas, class 4A driver’s licence, references)

During the process, you must sign a number of consent forms for the following pre-employment checks:

Criminal background check
Candidates must complete and sign a criminal background check form, to ensure that they have no criminal record that would interfere with their duties as firefighters.

Medical exam
The objective of this exam is to ensure that candidates can meet the employment conditions of a firefighter's job so as to ensure their own safety and that of their colleagues and residents of the Montréal agglomeration. Results are sent directly and only to a city physician, who will analyse them according to NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standard 1582.

Driver's licence check
Candidates' driver’s licences will be checked, because a valid class 4A license is required for the position.

Diploma check (PSD and CSD)
Candidates’ diplomas will be checked. If a candidate should produce a fake diploma, he or she will be excluded from the process and results of previous steps will not be considered.

6. Overall evaluation

At the end of the process, the entire application will be evaluated.

Candidates whose profile is a match with the profile the SIM is looking for will be retained and contacted according to the hiring needs.

Successfully completing the entire process does not guarantee you will be hired.


Montréal’s human resources department has a special section in charge of firefighter staffing that is in charge of the firefighter recruitment process.

If you have questions, write to the following address: section.dotation.pompier.et.etat-major@ville.montreal.qc.ca.