The procedure to become a firefighter should not be underestimated. A strong motivation is very important, but you also need to dispose of a number of cognitive, technical and physical competences in order to become a member of a fire department.

Moreover, both the professional and voluntary firefighters follow an intense training after their recruitment so that they can guarantee their own safety and the safety of their colleagues and the people they help and protect. The recruitment of the operational personnel of the emergency rescue zones occurs in the grade of fireman, sergeant or captain.

Below you find more information on how you can be recruited by an emergency rescue zone.

1.    Register for the Federal Aptitude Certificate

To be able to apply to become a professional or voluntary firefighter, you need to obtain a Federal Aptitude Certificate. To do so, you have to pass a series of three tests. In order to be allowed to take these tests, you need to meet a number of conditions.

Overview of the tests for the Federal Aptitude Certificate

1.    The competence test

2.    The operational dexterity test

3.    The physical aptitude tests

The eleven training centres for the civil security organize the aptitude tests you need to pass in order to obtain your Federal Aptitude Certificate.

2.    Apply at the emergency rescue zone of your choice

Once you obtained your Federal Aptitude Certificate, you can apply at the emergency rescue zone of your choice.

Every emergency rescue zone can organize extra tests, on top of the tests of the Federal Aptitude Certificate. You need to pass these tests as well before you can be recruited. Obtaining the certificate is thus no guarantee to be recruited as a staff member of the emergency rescue zone. Taking the tests is a requirement before each recruitment procedure.

Visit www.jedevienspompier.be for more information on the recruitment of firefighters, the federal aptitude certificate, the dates for the aptitude tests and firefighter vacancies. 
Seeing as you need to speak and understand either Dutch, French or German to be able to apply, this website only exists in these three official national languages.

Working in Belgium as a firefighter with qualifications from another EU country

If you have completed firefighter training(s) in another EU country, your credential is not automatically recognized in Belgium like certain regulated professional degrees.
However, if you apply for a position with a Belgian Emergency Rescue Zone, your foreign qualification (obtained degrees, certificates etc.) can be evaluated to grant equivalences or exemptions for many modules within the Belgian firefighter training program(s). Modules related to Belgian-specific procedures, laws, and safety protocols will still have to be completed in Belgium, for example.

How to apply for equivalence(s) or exemption(s)

• Step 1 - Download and complete the application form
  Visit this page to download the official form: https://civieleveiligheid.be/en/apply-equivalence-or-exemption-training
• Step 2 - Prepare your supporting documents
  Attach clear copies of the firefighter qualifications, degrees, and/or certificates of the country where you obtained them. Preferably include detailed course descriptions, syllabi, PowerPoint presentations, or other documentation showing course content, total training hours and learning objectives of the courses.
• Step 3 - Submit Your Application
  Send the completed form and all supporting documents by email to:  dir.repere.scv@ibz.be

What Happens Next?

Your submission will be reviewed by the Equivalences & Exemptions Committee of the High Council for the Training of Public Emergency Services. The committee meets four times per year and compares your foreign training with the Belgian firefighter training modules.
If your training matches in content, duration, and objectives, the committee may advise the Minister of the Interior to grant equivalences or exemptions for parts of the training. The final decision is made by the Minister of the Interior.
For more information, visit the Civil Security website: https://civieleveiligheid.be/en/apply-equivalence-or-exemption-training