Everything you need to know before your Stage Two assessments.
Version 2026.2
This guide helps candidates prepare for the OFAI Stage Two process, including Vision Assessment, Hearing Assessment, and the Encapsulated Treadmill Test (ETT).
Thank you for registering for an assessment with Ontario Fire Administration Inc. (OFAI).
This guide explains the current Stage Two workflow, portal requirements, and assessment-day expectations for candidates moving through the hearing and treadmill components.
All preparation, document upload, booking activity, cancellations, and support requests are managed through your OFAI candidate account.
Program Access
Stage Two is made up of separate components that have different readiness and completion rules.
Vision
The Vision Assessment is not completed at the OFAI test facility. Download the official OFAI vision form from your candidate account, have it completed by your doctor or optometrist, then upload it through your account for OFAI review.
Hearing
The Hearing Assessment is completed on site in a soundproof booth and must be cleared before the Stage Two treadmill path can proceed.
ETT
The Encapsulated Treadmill Test includes pre-appraisal screening and then the treadmill protocol in provided PPE. Stage One FACT™ and Stage Two Hearing must already be passed before ETT access is allowed.
Portal Readiness
The vision form workflow is handled through your OFAI candidate account and must be completed correctly for OFAI review.
OFAI will only accept the official OFAI vision form downloaded from your candidate account.
Take the vision form to your doctor or optometrist for completion and pay any applicable provider fees.
If the upload instructions are not followed in full, the vision form will not be processed. If a stamp is unavailable, attach your paid receipt showing the provider name or address.
Please allow a minimum of three business days for your vision form to be processed after upload.
Hearing Assessment
The hearing assessment is completed in a soundproof booth using calibrated audiometric equipment.
Frequencies tested
Both ears are tested independently at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, and 3000 Hz.
Pass standard
Permitted hearing loss is no greater than 40 decibels, unaided, in either ear at each tested frequency.
Devices
Devices used to assist hearing are not permitted during the hearing assessment.
Inconclusive cases
If a result is inconclusive, follow the OFAI referral instructions through your account workflow. Completed referral documentation must be returned within 15 business days of the original assessment.
ETT Screening
All candidates complete pre-appraisal screening before continuing with the Encapsulated Treadmill Test.
Resting heart rate and blood pressure are recorded before the treadmill protocol begins.
Candidates receive up to six readings. Failed readings must be spaced appropriately before the next attempt.
A passing reading is 140/90 or lower with pulse 100 or lower.
If readings remain outside the threshold after six attempts, the candidate cannot continue on that date. This is not recorded as a failed assessment.
OFAI does not accept doctor’s notes in place of passing on-site blood pressure and heart rate readings.
The Encapsulated Treadmill Test is a progressive exercise assessment completed in provided firefighting PPE weighing approximately 23 kg. A VO2 mask is worn during testing, but VO2 values do not determine pass or fail.
Candidates must wear athletic clothing under the provided gear. Personal PPE is not used for the assessment, with gloves as the only limited exception where permitted.
Phase One runs for five minutes at 3.5 mph while grade increases.
Phase Two runs for eight minutes at 3.5 mph and a constant 10% grade.
Phase Three increases grade to 15%, then increases speed until the candidate can no longer continue or the test is stopped for safety reasons.
Phase Four is a required five-minute flat recovery phase.
To pass the treadmill test, candidates must complete Phase One, Phase Two, and Phase Four for a total of at least 18 minutes.
Results and Retesting
Results, certificates, and next actions are communicated through your OFAI candidate account.
Certificates
Vision and Hearing remain valid for 24 months. The Encapsulated Treadmill Test remains valid for 180 days.
Retesting
All assessments follow the same retest waiting periods: 15 days after the first failed attempt and 30 days after the second and all subsequent failed attempts.
Cancellations
Bookings, cancellation requests, and support issues are handled through the OFAI account workflow. Use the candidate account and Support instead of trying to resolve exceptions on site.