What is the hiring process like for firefighters?
Michael Gray
Updated on April 05, 2026
After passing the written test, physical ability test, background investigation and possible other tests you may then qualify for an interview. You can typically expect to face a panel of 3-7 officers (or other personnel) for an initial, but important, interview that will typically last anywhere from 20-30 minutes.
How long does it take to get hired as a firefighter?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Firefighter?
| Activity | Time Taken |
|---|---|
| Application + Hiring Process | 2 months – 5+ years |
| Fire Academy | 3 – 6 months |
| Probationary Period | 6 months – 2 years |
| Ongoing Learning | Entire Career |
Is it easy to get hired as a firefighter?
It is usually very difficult to become a firefighter. There is usually a lot of competition for each vacant position. Although there are usually only a few basic requirements to apply for a firefighter job, those that are hired frequently have a lot more training, education, and experience than required.
Do fire candidates get paid?
As you can see, California has some of the highest paying firefighters jobs, mostly because these are some of the most expensive cities to live in….Here is a graph with the average firefighter salaries in the top 10 highest paying states in 2017:
| State | Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $73,860 |
| New York | $70,560 |
Do firefighters get laid?
So far, 935 firefighters, EMTs and paramedics have been laid off or furloughed, according to the IAFC. The best way to do this, according to the organization is through Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) and Assistance for Firefighters Grants (AFG).
How do you pass a Chiefs interview?
How To Prepare For The Chief’s Interview
- Learn about the chief: The chief is a leader, and all leaders exhibit different supervisory traits.
- Be prepared to talk about yourself: The entire purpose of the chief’s interview is for the chief to get to know you better.
- Hold some mock interviews:
- Don’t let your guard down:
How competitive is firefighting?
Being a firefighter is not easy and neither is the process of becoming a firefighter. Competition is fierce and the hiring process can be very grueling and challenging, something many people do not endure or succeed at. More than 70% give up the pursuit of becoming a firefighter and move on to other career choices.
What’s the last step in the firefighter hiring process?
As this is the most important step of the entire process we highly recommend you check out our article going over the firefighter interview. This is usually the last step in the process, and one that will determine whether or not you will be hired. This interview is usually conducted by the chief or mayor of the city.
How often do fire departments send out job notices?
A crucial step in landing a firefighter job is knowing which fire departments are accepting applications. We send out over 300 new fire job notices every month!
Do you have to work hard to join Fire Service?
You too must be prepared to work hard and also be patient if you are to pursue a career within the fire and rescue service. The process of joining the fire and rescue service varies throughout the UK but the principles you need to follow are the same.
How to prepare for the fire service recruitment process?
Once you have your application form, you need to follow the information you have gained by reading the recruitment section of the site. This follows the same for each stage of the recruitment process. To be successful in the process, you need to be one step ahead of the next candidate, and be better prepared than they are.
