City of Davis

How to become a Davis Firefighter

Minimum Qualifications

• Eighteen years of age
• High School Diploma or GED
• California Drivers License
• California State Firefighter I Certificate
• Emergency Medical Technician Certificate
• Possession of proof of successful completion of the CPAT (cpatonline.org) physical ability test within the last six months.

Desirable Qualifications

• College Degree
  • Associates in Fire Technology
  • Bachelors Degree
• Prior Paid Fire Fighting Experience
• Prior Volunteer Fire Fighting Experience
• Specialized Training
  • Paramedic
  • Hazardous Materials First Responder
  • Swift Water Rescue
  • Other Related Training

Pursuing a career in the Fire Service can be a very long and labor intensive journey. It requires full dedication and a serious desire to succeed. The first step in the hiring process is the application. Since the occupation of a firefighter is in such high demand, many fire departments, such as Davis, put a cap on the number of applications that will be accepted.

This can mean that several hundred people may camp out overnight, at the location the applications are handed out, in the hopes of obtaining an application. After the application is accepted the firefighter candidate must take a written examination. The exam generally lasts about two hours and covers subjects like English, math, memorization and mechanical aptitude. If the written test is passed, the candidate moves on to the oral interview. There are generally five people on the interview board inquiring about the candidate’s experience, qualifications, education, decision making skills and ability to work in a team environment.

After passing the oral interview, the candidate advances to an interview with the Fire Chief. It is at this point that a tentative job offer may be made be the Chief. The candidate must then go through a background investigation, medical exam and psychological evaluation.

The candidate who has successfully completed all the steps described above will become a City of Davis Firefighter pending the completion of an eighteen-month probationary period While it can be very difficult to obtain a position as a firefighter, many people find it to be a rewarding and exciting career. There are many qualified candidates in the job market today, but with perseverance and a desire to succeed anyone can become a firefighter.

Current employment opportunities with the City of Davis

www.cityofdavis.org/jobs/

Complete job specifications including minimum qualifications

Salary Table and Job Specs

Benefit Summary Sheet for the Firefighter Group

http://www.cityofdavis.org/jobs/benefits.cfm

Position definitions for fire department positions

Fire Chief

To plan, organize, direct and coordinate the activities of fire suppression, fire prevention, and supportive services; and to provide highly responsible management and technical staff assistance to the City Manager.

Fire Division Chief

To perform professional administrative and managerial duties for the Fire Department; to supervise the operations and personnel at a fire station and on emergencies; to plan, direct and coordinate programs in the department.

Fire Captain

To perform supervisory and technical work in fire suppression, emergency rescue, fire inspection, fire investigation, and fire personnel training activities; and to serve as company commander for a fire suppression engine company.

Firefighter (I and II) Positions

To respond to fire alarms, medical emergencies and other emergency calls to protect life and property; and to participate in fire prevention, training activities, station and equipment maintenance.

Fire Business Manager

To plan, coordinate and supervise the work of staff in the administrative division; to provide professional and technical support to all divisions and assigned areas of responsibility; and to administer the programs of the assigned division.

Administrative Aide

To perform para-professional and professional level administrative duties in assistance to a city administrative official; to research and analyze data; to write reports; and to do related work as required.

Office Assistant II

To perform a wide variety of general clerical duties related to the function and department assigned.