Education · 1 of 5
The path
No degree required. The gate is certifications, a fitness test and a very competitive hiring process.
- 1
High school diploma
Grade 12
You need to be 18, hold a valid driver's license, have a clean record and pass a drug screen. Many departments want a clean driving record too.
- 2
Get your emergency medical certification
3 to 12 months
Almost every department requires EMT (emergency medical technician) certification, and a growing number want full paramedic. This is a community college course plus a national exam.
- 3
Pass the hiring process
3 to 12 months of waiting
A written test, a timed physical ability test in a weighted vest, an oral board interview, a background check and a medical exam. Hundreds of people apply for a handful of spots.
- 4
Fire academy
12 to 24 weeks
A live-in or daily recruit academy covering fire behavior, hose and ladder work, search and rescue, hazardous materials and vehicle extrication. You are paid if the department hired you first.
- 5
Probation at a station
About 1 year
Riding with a crew, learning the district, constant testing. You are not fully in until probation ends.