Participants exchange work hours, working agreements and vacation for the term of the exchange. They do not exchange salaries and each participant will have their own workers compensation coverage. They also pay for their own airfare and other travel expenses. Families exchange accommodations directly or help each other arrange alternative living arrangements.

Exchanges ranges from 6 to 12 months unless otherwise agreed upon by the Deputy Chief, Administration, Fire Prevention and Training.   Any exchange request shorter than 6 months will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

The United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Norway, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

See Who Can Apply?

Complete the Firefighter Exchange Program Application and submit it to:

Edmonton Emergency Response
10351 96 St
Edmonton, AB   T5H 2H5

Fax: 780-498-7089
Attention: Firefighter Exchange Program Committee

Email: FirefighterExchange@edmonton.ca

Note: Qualifying candidates and families will endeavour to exemplify the professional, social and moral qualities adhered to by this program and as a representative of the Emergency Response Department.

Exchangees remain in the employ of their department, retaining their normal rights, privileges and obligations in relation to their employers. They continue to receive their salaries while they are on exchange, with continuing deductions as applicable.

Successful applicants must make their own appropriate financial arrangements and be responsible for their own costs. Overtime payment methods are to be negotiated by the employers.

Note: Exchange rates can fluctuate considerably.

Original employers must arrange and finalize details of all worker's compensation and other insurance that is deemed necessary to protect their employee during the full term of the fellowship. Insurance to cover all work related injury, illness and death is provided by the home Fire Service.

You do not require a work visa if you are exchanging within Canada. You need a work visa if you are exchanging outside your own country (although during the exchange your permanent employer is still paying you).

In most cases your visa application will require a letter from the Department confirming that you are being hosted and who your exchange partner will be.  

Tips

• Obtain information on visa requirements from the Embassy or Consulate of the country you wish to exchange to.
• Allow sufficient time to apply for a work visa.
• Do not count on obtaining a work visa for family members unless they are a national citizen of that country.

Your exchange partner can locate the appropriate school and help you make school arrangements.

Exchanging vehicles is not recommended, although the choice is between you and your exchange partner. Insurance and maintenance discrepancies have proven to be a problem on past exchanges. As an alternative, you and your exchange partner can help each other look for a leased vehicle for the term of the exchange, or you can help each other buy a vehicle.

Exchange participants may need to be flexible with respective insurance premiums. This must be worked out between exchange participants prior to the exchange commencement.

Sick time off will be as per the policies of the "host employer".  Most employers require a letter from a physician. Both employers will notify each other at the end of the exchange of any sick time used within the duration of the exchange. If sick time has been taken during the exchange, it will be recorded in your personal file with your "permanent employer".

In extenuating circumstances, sick time can be negotiated between employers if the "guest employee" encounters an unforeseen illness. Excessive sick time might be cause for termination of the exchange.

You may be required to provide a medical certificate as part of your visa application certifying that you are in good health (dependent on the country you're exchanging with). Upon the completion of an exchange, a letter will be completed to outline any sickness/WCB and provide the dates of any vacation/leave.

As part of the Exchange Agreement you agree to accept the vacation and leave time of the person you are exchanging with. The amount of vacation and leave that each applicant is entitled to with their "permanent employer" is part of the criteria used in the matching process. Because the start and completion dates of your exchange might conflict with your vacation scheduling, advance consultation between the exchanging parties and the employers is essential to ensure an equal sharing of vacation and leave. The entitlement of each exchange party is no greater than the amount of the member with the least vacation entitlement.

Both employers agree to provide, on loan, the visiting exchange parties with all of the necessary fire protection equipment and clothing required for the duration of any assigned duty during this exchange period.

Both employers agree to provide the exchange parties with the "standard provision" supplied to all other Firefighters (in the host organization) assigned to similar duties.

Because the travel and moving costs of this program are borne by the applicant and are relative to employment, these costs might be tax deductible. Check with an income tax specialist in Canada for more information.

Even though you are still being paid by your "permanent employer" throughout the duration of the exchange, you may be required to file an income tax form if you have been in a foreign country for a certain period of time. It is your responsibility to investigate this possibility with the revenue department of the country you are exchanging to. Generally, you will not be expected to pay income tax. Most revenue departments only require that you file a form indicating that your income for the time period of your residency was "nil". In many cases it might be in your best interest to check and see if your exchange country offers a tax rebate on Goods and Services Tax incurred by non-residence depending on your length of stay.

See Firefighter Exchange Accommodations.