Training and Employing Refugees as Fire Safety Technicians

Northpine Foundation has invested in FireX3 Fire & Safety to help refugees in Calgary and surrounding Alberta communities move into skilled, certified roles in the fire and life safety sector. The program responds to a dual challenge: refugees face barriers like limited Canadian experience and credentials, while Alberta faces persistent shortages of certified fire prevention and suppression technicians.

FireX3 operates a fire safety business with commercial and institutional contracts, embedding paid, on-the-job training directly into real service delivery. The 60-day program combines structured onboarding, supervised field work, health and safety certifications, and mentorship, with graduates placed into roles as Fire Prevention Associates, Technicians, or related positions.

The venture aims to train and employ refugees, building on a model that has already supported dozens of participants into fire safety, commercial cleaning, and building compliance roles. Northpine’s investment strengthens a proven pathway that links workforce development to sustained market demand in a regulated, compliance-driven industry.