Established in 1866, the San Francisco Fire Department is rich in tradition and history. From the Great Earthquake and Fire of 1906 to the Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989, the Department has grown to meet the many challenges along the way. Today, the San Francisco Fire Department serves an estimated 1.5 million people, providing fire suppression, fire prevention and emergency medical services to the residents, visitors and workers within San Francisco's 49 square miles.

Under general supervision, an H002 Firefighter engages in firefighting and related activities for the saving of life and property; administers first responder treatment, including first aid; and responds to a variety of emergency situations involving public safety and medical care. A Firefighter also may be assigned duties in connection with fire prevention activities, including the inspection of businesses, schools, and homes to ensure fire safety; maintaining station quarters; and performing other duties as assigned. Firefighters are required to work 24-hour shifts, including weekends and holidays. During those shifts, a Firefighter lives and works in close quarters with three or more individuals at a fire station. A Firefighter must cooperate and work effectively with the other members of his or her team.

Eligibility Requirements (verified during Background Investigation):

Age: Applicants must be at least 19 years old at the time of application and must be at least 20 years old at the time of appointment. [Civil Service Rule 310.15]

Education: Applicants must have a high school diploma or an equivalency certificate (e.g., G.E.D., California High School Proficiency Certificate) to apply.

Driving Record: Applicants must possess a valid Class A, B, or C California Driver License by the time of their appointment. Applicants will not be considered eligible to participate or to be appointed if any of the following occurred, or is in effect at any time, during the period from “one year prior to application up to the date of appointment”:

(a) Any offense that subsequently results in a conviction for driving under the influence, reckless driving, or hit and run with personal injury or property damage over $25.00.

(b) License suspension or revocation, three moving violations in 12 months, 5 moving violations in 24 months, or probation as a result of a driving-related offense.

[Note: Applicants who proceed to the Background Investigation phase of the selection process must provide on their background forms a full and complete listing of all motor vehicle violations. Any significant discrepancy between an applicant's statement and the Department of Motor Vehicles’ records will result in disqualification.]

Criminal Record: Applicants must not have been convicted of a felony in this state, or in any other state or in any federal or other jurisdiction, of an act that would be considered a felony if committed in this state. Applicants must not have been on probation for a misdemeanor offense from one year prior to application through the time of appointment. Convictions for misdemeanors within one year prior to application will be evaluated individually and may result in disqualification.

[Note: Applicants who proceed to the Background Investigation phase of the selection process must provide on their background forms a full and complete listing of all convictions. Applicants must disclose if they have ever been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor offense in California or in any other state or place, including entering a plea of nolo contendere or no contest, and including any conviction which has been expunged (set aside) under Penal Code Section 1203.4.]

Application & Selection Procedures

Applicants may be contacted by email about this announcement and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up to date. Applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from @sfgov.org.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

Candidates must be current on the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) Statewide Eligibility List (SEL) by the application closing date. (For more information on how to be placed on the FCTC SEL, visit https://www.fctconline.org/testing-information/upcoming-test-schedule/ )

FCTC SEL minimum qualifications are:

• Cal-JAC CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) Card must be dated within one year.

• A passing score of 70% on the FCTC Written Test must be dated within one year from the eligible list posting.

• Current NREMT, CA EMT-1 or CA EMT-P.

1) Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) Written Test

The FCTC Written Test was developed by the California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee (Cal-JAC) (http://www.cffjac.org/) .

The FCTC Written Exam is a 100 question, multiple choice test consisting of the following four sections:

• Section 1 – Recall and Comprehend Verbal and Visual Information. This section requires candidates to watch two short videos and answer questions based on the scenarios presented.

• Section 2 – Apply Mechanical Reasoning

• Section 3 – Solve Mathematical Problems

• Section 4 – Recall and Comprehend Technical Information from Written Materials

The FCTC Written Test is administered, at minimum, quarterly. Additional tests will be added as needed, so check this website frequently. FCTC does not administer online tests. 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW A SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING TEST DATES (https://www.fctconline.org/candidates/upcoming-test-schedule/)

Candidates demonstrating financial hardship may apply for financial aid for the testing process. Visit https://www.fctconline.org/candidates/financial-hardship/ for more information.

Scores will be added to a candidate's FCTC record within one week of the test date.  Candidates must achieve a minimum passing score of 70%.  The Public Safety Team will obtain candidate scores from FCTC.

2) Emergency Medical Technician Certification: Candidates must possess at minimum an NREMT certification verified through FCTC to be placed on the eligibility list. Candidates must possess or be in the process of obtaining their EMT - 1 Certification (EMT-1) issued by the State of CA in order to be invited to the Chief’s Interview. Possession of a current, valid CA Paramedic license [in good standing] may be provided in lieu of the EMT certification. Confirmation of your EMT-1 application with the SF EMSA will be verified by the SFFD during the Chief’s Interview. Candidates must be able to accredit with the local EMS Authority within the one-year probationary period if accredited in a different California County. Candidates who currently hold an EMT-1 certificate issued by the National Registry may find information about transferring EMT certification to CA at https://emsa.ca.gov/EMT/.

The following websites provide information about EMT certification programs in the San Francisco Bay Area:

City College of San Francisco:  https://www.ccsf.edu/academics/schools/allied-health-physical-education-social-services/health-care-technology-department/ems-faq

Chabot College, Hayward: EMT Program - Chabot College (https://www.chabotcollege.edu/academics/health-kinesiology-athletics/emergency-medical-technician/program.php)

Santa Rosa Community College: Emergency Medical Services Academy | Public Safety Training Center (santarosa.edu) (https://pstc.santarosa.edu/emergency-medical-services-academy)

3) Candidates must have a valid CPAT with a testing date within one year during the Chief’s Interview and maintain their CPAT through the date background packets are due.

ELIGIBLE LIST / CERTIFICATION RULE:

Candidate names will remain on the eligible list for a maximum period of 24 months. The Fire Department has the authority to hire any candidate named on the eligible list (“Rule of List”). Therefore, one’s placement on this list neither guarantees nor implies an offer of employment. Candidates who receive an offer of employment may waive the offer only two times. A third waiver of appointment renders candidates ineligible.

Departmental Selection Procedures:

The remaining processes will be used by the Fire Department to determine who shall advance in the hiring process and be considered for appointment https://sf-fire.org/join-sffd/hiring-process.

Additional Job Ad Notes for Firefighter (https://sfdhr.org/sites/default/files/documents/Exam-Information/H002-Firefighter-Job-Ad-Notes.pdf)

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.