Item - 2024.EC14.9

The Economic and Community Development Committee:

1. Received the report (June 19, 2024) from the Fire Chief and General Manager, Toronto Fire Services for information.

This report responds to direction from City Council to report to the Economic and Community Development Committee on steps that could be taken to ensure Toronto Community Housing tenants have access to a career in firefighting.

Toronto Fire Services (TFS) has five entry level positions that are recruited with external applicants, including Operations Firefighter, each of which require specialized qualifications. Currently, TFS hires approximately 208 Operations Firefighters annually.

In the last few years, TFS has made several changes to remove barriers for applicants, by adjusting requirements including removing expiry dates from certain stages of the Candidate Testing Service (CTS) process. Changes have also been made to the screening process, and interview process with a special program that ensures all qualified Toronto residents and/or members of equity deserving groups are invited to an interview.

In partnership with Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC), TFS has also enhanced opportunities to build tenant awareness about pathways to a career in the fire service. This includes dedicated outreach activities, attending TCHC job fairs, and the implementation of a new "Day in the Life" event for TCHC youth in their Youthworx program.

Finally, in consultation with TFS, TCHC is developing a new career readiness program, that will provide approximately 90 interested TCHC tenants with wrap-around and capacity-building supports to enter the workforce. Twenty tenants will also receive partial funding to obtain pre-qualifications to support their pursuit of meaningful work as a TFS Operations firefighter. This program will operate within the TCHC Community Economic Development Team that works to create and facilitate economic opportunities for tenants.

This program, intended to commence in 2025, is contingent on a request in the TCHC operating budget through the 2025 budget process.  

Building on enhanced outreach activities and the new career readiness program, TFS and TCHC will continue collaborating closely to support qualified TCHC tenants to secure careers in the fire service.