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Firefighter at the City of Québec: $52,114 to $101,587 a year in 2026Lieutenant at the City of Québec: $111,744 in 2026Captain at the City of Québec: $121,903 in 2026Firefighter in Montreal: $50,808 to $88,367 a year (2023)Lieutenant in Montreal: $97,202 (2023)Captain in Montreal: $106,041 (2023)SOPFEU forest firefighter: $27.16 an hour in the first yearFirefighter in Quebec, median wage: $40.17 an hourPart-time firefighter in L'Assomption: $24.88 an hour (2025)Part-time firefighter in La Matapédia: $19.28 to $28.56 an hourFirefighter at the City of Québec: $52,114 to $101,587 a year in 2026Lieutenant at the City of Québec: $111,744 in 2026Captain at the City of Québec: $121,903 in 2026Firefighter in Montreal: $50,808 to $88,367 a year (2023)Lieutenant in Montreal: $97,202 (2023)Captain in Montreal: $106,041 (2023)SOPFEU forest firefighter: $27.16 an hour in the first yearFirefighter in Quebec, median wage: $40.17 an hourPart-time firefighter in L'Assomption: $24.88 an hour (2025)Part-time firefighter in La Matapédia: $19.28 to $28.56 an hour

Become a firefighter in Quebec

To become a firefighter in Quebec, you need training recognized by the Règlement sur les conditions pour exercer au sein d'un service de sécurité incendie municipal, the regulation on the qualifications of municipal firefighters. The Firefighter I certificate lasts 255 hours and is enough in a fire department that serves fewer than 25,000 people. The DEP (Diploma of Vocational Studies) in Fire Safety Intervention lasts 1,185 hours and is valid everywhere. This text applies to women and men firefighters alike.

Checked on October 14, 2026.

Step 1: find out what training the city you are aiming for requires

Section 3 of the Regulation (chapter S-3.4, r. 1, up to date as of June 1, 2026) sets the basic training for a firefighter assigned to rescue or fire suppression operations.

Population servedTraining required by section 3
Fewer than 25,000 peopleFirefighter I certificate from the École nationale des pompiers du Québec (Quebec's firefighter training school), or the DEP
From 25,000 to 200,000 peopleFirefighter II certificate from the School, or the DEP
More than 200,000 peopleDEP in Fire Safety Intervention

Source: LégisQuébec, chapter S-3.4, r. 1, section 3.

Section 13 explains the calculation. When a fire department serves several municipalities, the population used is that of the most populous municipality.

The same section 3 allows a person to be hired before having the certificate. The person then acts as an apprentice, under the supervision of a qualified firefighter, for no more than 48 consecutive months after hiring. This permission does not apply in a fire department that serves more than 200,000 people.

Step 2: choose your training path

Firefighter I and Firefighter II, at the École nationale des pompiers du Québec

The École nationale des pompiers du Québec reports to the ministère de la Sécurité publique. Its Firefighter I program lasts 255 hours. To be admitted, the candidate must have a minimum reading ability, the School writes. The Firefighter II program lasts 120 hours and has the Firefighter I qualification as a prerequisite. The Firefighter II certification includes the Extrication certification.

The School does not give these courses in a single place. Training managers offer them in the regions, for example municipal fire departments. Registration, costs and the schedule are arranged with the training manager for the region.

The DEP in Fire Safety Intervention

The DEP in Fire Safety Intervention is number 5322 and lasts 1,185 hours, according to the Inforoute de la formation professionnelle et technique. The École nationale des pompiers writes that this represents about one year of full-time study. Three institutions award it, only one of them public: the Institut de protection contre les incendies du Québec, in Laval.

The DEC in Fire Safety Techniques

The DEC (college diploma) in Fire Safety Techniques has the code 311.A0. The Regulation does not mention it. Some large cities require it in addition to the DEP, writes the École nationale des pompiers. At Collège Montmorency, a public CEGEP in Laval, this DEC is reserved for DEP holders and lasts 2 years, or 4 terms. The integrated training therefore spans 3 years. The college also requires a Class 4A driver's licence valid throughout the studies and a physical aptitude test.

Step 3: meet the cities' other requirements

Each city adds its own conditions in the job posting.

Step 4: go through the hiring process

A city accepts applications only during a posting. The SIM requires the three-year integrated training, DEP and DEC, and a valid Class 4A licence to apply. It then describes six steps, whose order and nature may change without notice.

The City of Rivière-du-Loup posting, open until February 27, 2026, announced a process that may include tests, interviews, a psychometric assessment, a physical test and a medical assessment.

This text summarizes public documents. It is neither legal advice nor union advice.

Guides to becoming a firefighter

Frequently asked questions

What studies do you need to become a firefighter in Quebec?

The Regulation recognizes the Firefighter I certificate in a fire department that serves fewer than 25,000 people and the Firefighter II certificate from 25,000 to 200,000 people. The DEP in Fire Safety Intervention is valid everywhere and mandatory above 200,000 people. Some large cities also require the DEC in Fire Safety Techniques.

How long does the training to become a firefighter take?

The Firefighter I program lasts 255 hours and the Firefighter II program adds 120, according to the École nationale des pompiers du Québec. The DEP lasts 1,185 hours, or about one year full time. The integrated DEP and DEC training spans 3 years.

How long is the DEP to become a firefighter in Montreal?

The DEP in Fire Safety Intervention lasts 1,185 hours. The SIM counts it as 1 year. It also requires the DEC in Fire Safety Techniques, which it counts as 2 years, for three years of training.

What should you study to be a firefighter?

The occupation profile on Québec.ca, up to date as of June 19, 2026, names the DEP in Fire Safety Intervention and the DEC in Fire Safety Techniques. It adds that you must meet the requirements for physical fitness, agility, strength and vision.

Do you need a Class 4A licence to become a firefighter?

The Regulation does not mention the driver's licence. The cities require it in their postings. Montreal asks for it to apply, and the Municipality of Labelle allowed 6 months to obtain it in its July 2026 posting.

What is a firefighter's salary in Quebec?

Québec.ca gives a median hourly wage of $41.00 for firefighters, with a minimum of $24.00 and a maximum of $50.00. These amounts are the average of wages from 2023 to 2025, according to the profile up to date as of June 19, 2026.

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