Blackfalds Fire & Rescue has launched an ongoing recruitment drive for paid-on-call volunteer firefighters. Residents can apply now by downloading the Firefighter Application Form from the Town of Blackfalds website and submitting it to the Protective Services Building at 4401 South Street.
The recruitment is overseen by Fire Chief Robert Cote. The department’s duties include fire suppression, rescue (including vehicle extrication), hazardous materials response and ambulance assists; local reporting has also documented responses to grass/brush fires in the area. Prospective applicants are asked to review the department’s ‘Answer the Call’ brochure and the official application form for eligibility and training requirements — the brochure outlines the commitment, training expectations (including National Fire Protection Association, NFPA, standards) and paid-on-call remuneration. Applicants should submit completed applications in person or by mail as directed on the town website.
Blackfalds has grown rapidly in recent years. The Town of Blackfalds cites a 2021 population of 11,015; Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census profiles list a 2021 population of 10,470 (up from 9,328 in 2016). That growth, combined with regional call volumes, has increased demand for emergency services. Local reporting and county officials note that roughly half of the department’s calls originate in Lacombe County, underscoring the department’s regional role. The updated fire services agreement includes provisions for shared investment in equipment and facilities between the two municipalities, and officials say expanding trained personnel is a priority for 2025.
Volunteers are offered paid-on-call remuneration, professional-grade training and operate from the modern Protective Services facility the department moved into in 2011. Detailed information about time commitments, training schedules and benefits is available in the department’s ‘Answer the Call’ recruitment materials on the Town of Blackfalds website. Interested candidates should consult those materials and apply promptly to join a team that helps maintain 24/7 readiness for Blackfalds and surrounding areas.
