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Assessment Process

All candidates should complete the self-assessment questionnaire before registering for any of our assessments. This questionnaire was developed to aid you in your decision as to whether you would be a good fit to the role of a firefighter and to help you identify the minimum qualifications to become a firefighter in the province of Ontario.

Access the self-assessment questionnaire now.

Note: The self-assessment questionnaire is not required as part of your registration. It is for self-assessment purposes only.

All candidates entering our process must complete the following assessments, to obtain their certificates in which they can use to apply to participating municipal fire services.

Stage One:

Stage Two:

Stage Three:

The OFAI CTS stages are completed over three days. Stage One and Two Hearing completed in one day, Encapsulated Treadmill on another date, and Stage Three on a third day. All candidates are required to successfully complete Stage One and Stage Two Hearing Assessments before moving on to any other assessment stage.  Please leave sufficient time after your Stage One test prior to taking the next step to allow for results. Results for all assessments are pass or fail.

Registering Online

Anyone booking testing at Ontario Fire Administration Inc. MUST read our COVID-19 screening protocols and policies. Candidates must review OFAI’s COVID-19 screening protocols and policies prior to booking your testing through the online testing calendar.

You understand that failure to comply with OFAI’S COVID-19 screening protocols and policies could result in a cancelled test and that falsifying any information regarding our COVID-19 testing protocols could result in your expulsion from the OFAI Candidate Testing Program.

OFAI’S COVID-19 screening protocols and policies can be found at: Covid-19 Screening Protocols Policies

Upcoming assessment dates/times are available on our website on the “Testing Calendar”. All candidates wishing to register for assessments must create an online account on our website. Once the online account is created, you can continue with registering for an assessment. It is the candidate’s responsibility to register correctly for their assessments. Incorrect registrations received by the OFAI Administration office are subject to a $25.00 plus HST administration fee.

Your online account will be utilized for certification. Once you have successfully completed each assessment stage, your certificate will be uploaded by OFAI staff to your online account. Please allow up to 72 hours for certificates to be processed.

Candidates are responsible for downloading the pre-assessment guides for your applicable assessment at www.ofai.ca/resources/pre-assessment-guides/ and completing all the applicable forms prior to your assessment date. The pre-assessment guide is an integral piece of information that will help you prepare for your assessments. Reviewing this is a requirement as a part of your assessment.

This guide will give you step-by-step instructions on the following:

  • What to bring
  • What to expect when you arrive at FESTI
  • What to expect for each assessment
  • Required forms
  • Preparation information
  • Directions
  • Contact information

Note: All registrations close five business days prior to each testing date.

Users of the registration function agree that, subject to the Privacy Policy posted on this site, their information can be used to contact them in connection with the assessments and any other contact deemed necessary for running its assessments, subject to the laws governing sound internet practices.

All candidates acknowledge that by registering through this website and in-person, they will be required to complete the Assumption, Waiver, Release and Indemnity Agreement, the OFAI Candidate Agreement and forms that may be required for specific assessments. Candidates are aware that if they fail to produce these required forms on or before their assessment day, that the assessment may be cancelled and re-scheduled at a later date, at the discretion of the OFAI. In addition, a fee will be charged for the re-scheduled assessment date.

Candidates also acknowledge that they are willing to take part in our assessments.

Payments

Payment Methods: Online payments are VISA and MasterCard. (including Debit VISA).

All fees are in Canadian Dollars.

Receipts are automatically sent by email when participants register and pay online. Please be aware spam filters can block email receipts.

Ontario Fire Administration Inc. utilizes Moneris a third-party secure payment service provider that facilitates credit card payments. The OFAI and any third party affiliate assumes no liability for those using the registration function or payment function, and the user accepts that any dispute with regard to payment or distribution or use of information collected by Moneris – the payment service provider – will be raised directly with them.

Rescheduling/Cancellation Policy

Currently there is no re-scheduling.

Ontario Fire Administration Inc. (OFAI) reserves the right to cancel a scheduled assessment. In the unlikely event of an assessment cancellation, we will issue a full refund for assessment fees only

Inclement Weather: Safety is of the utmost consideration when we are conducting our assessments. When severe weather conditions exist, such as lightning, rain, sleet, snow or high winds, the staff at FESTI shall make an assessment of the conditions and will determine, at their discretion, if assessments will cease until conditions approve.

Cancellation Policy: If you wish to cancel your assessment and it is five-business days or greater from your assessment date/time, you must request a cancellation through your online account at www.ofai.ca  by selecting the “Cancel” button next to the order/assessment you are cancelling. You will be refunded, less a $50.00 plus HST administration fee.

If you must cancel your assessment within five business days of your assessment date/time, you will not be refunded.  Please advise the administration office you will not be attending your assessment at  info@ofai.ca.

Illness: Candidates seeking cancellation or re-scheduling due to illness within the 5-business day period prior to their test date will only receive a refund or re-schedule (less the $50 plus HST administration fee) if they can provide evidence that their ability to complete their assessment has been affected by serious illness or cause. This evidence must be provided no later than 7 business days following a scheduled appointment. Candidates must contact the OFAI Administration office prior to their scheduled appointment to advise OFAI they will not attend. Failure to do so will result in a forfeit of fees.

If you do not show up for a scheduled assessment, this is considered a ‘no show’ or missed appointment. There is no credit or refund provided. Candidates are expected to rebook the assessment at their own expense.

OFAI is not responsible for any statements, acts, materials, or omissions by our evaluators, proctors or participants. The use of audio and video taping devices, beepers, and cell phones by participants is not permitted at any assessment. Children and unregistered guests are not permitted in the testing facility. Cancellation of an assessment caused by any calamity, attack, or act of God, beyond the control of the OFAI and/or its third-party affiliates and its agents does not constitute grounds for a refund.

Re-Test Policy

All OFAI failed assessments are subject to our re-test policy. The re-test policy identifies the wait times candidates must follow before coming back to re-test. The wait times are put in place to allow each candidate sufficient time to prepare (and in some cases, train) in order to be successful in their assessments.

The following identifies the OFAI re-test policy wait times:

1st Failure – 15 days – Candidates must wait 15 days before participating in a re-test.
2nd Failure – 30 days – Candidate must wait 30 days before participating in a re-test.

All subsequent failures will be subject to a 30-day wait period.

Code of Conduct

Acronym Definitions

OFAI: Ontario Fire Administration Inc.
CTS: Candidate Testing Services
FESTI: GTAA Fire and Emergency Services Training Institute

Working as a firefighter is a career founded on respect, trust, integrity and absolute professionalism. Ontario Fire Administration Inc. (OFAI) expects candidate behaviour to reflect these qualities at all times. Please be advised that if any breaches are made to the OFAI CTS Code of Conduct, swift and appropriate action will be taken in order to maintain this high standard.

1. The OFAI expects all candidates to be punctual for their assessments. Tardiness can result in cancellation of your assessment which will require a rebooking at the candidate’s expense.

2. Please use appropriate language when communicating with OFAI administration staff, FESTI staff, and evaluators. Foul or abusive language is not tolerated.

3. Respect FESTI’s property and the CTS testing facilities. Damage caused by inappropriate candidate behaviour will be at the candidate’s expense and may warrant a permanent removal from the CTS process.

4. Treat fellow candidates, OFAI administration staff, FESTI staff, and evaluators with courtesy and respect. In addition to themselves, candidates also assume responsibility for the actions and behaviours of any guest they bring on premise. The OFAI will not tolerate any form of bullying or harassment. Any bullying or harassment exhibited by a candidate and/or their guest may result in permanent removal from the CTS process, and an investigation by the appropriate authorities, if required.

The Canadian Human Rights Commission defines harassment as a form of discrimination. It involves any unwanted physical or verbal behaviour that offends or humiliates another individual.

Harassment occurs when someone:

a. makes unwelcome comments or jokes about the following :

  • race
  • national or ethnic origin
  • colour
  • religion
  • age
  • sex
  • sexual orientation
  • marital status
  • family status
  • disability
  • a conviction for which a pardon has been granted or a record suspended.

b. threatens or intimidates you.
c. makes unwelcome physical contact with you, such as touching, patting, pinching or punching, which can also be considered as assault.

5. Participation in CTS under the influence of alcohol or drugs is strictly prohibited and will result in permanent removal from the CTS process.

6. There is zero tolerance for cheating, impersonation, blackmail, bribery or any other fraudulent activity, real or implied. Any of these actions will result in immediate termination from the CTS process.