Job prospects Firefighter in the Wood Buffalo–Cold Lake Region

Over the past few years (2021-2023), there was a labour shortage for Firefighters in the Wood Buffalo–Cold Lake Region. There were more job openings than workers available to fill them in this occupation.

Source Labour Market Information | Recent Trends Assessment Methodology

The employment outlook will be good for Firefighters (NOC 42101) in the Wood Buffalo - Cold Lake region for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Alberta has not provided additional budget for wildfire fighting or wildfire and flood support in the next three years, though there is a contingency fund for disaster relief.

Here are some key facts about Firefighters in the Wood Buffalo - Cold Lake region:

• Approximately 250 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
• Firefighters mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Local, municipal, regional, aboriginal and other public administration (NAICS 913-919): 66%
  • Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211, 213): 18%
  • Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 8%

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology