How to get hired at City of Detroit Fire Department
Detroit hires entry-level Firefighter (EMT/Paramedic) recruits through City of Detroit postings, most recently open Nov 10, 2025 to Jan 31, 2026. Applicants submit CPAT proof with their application, then take a computer-based test of reading, math and map skills, and passing candidates go to an oral interview. Hires attend about five months of paid training at the Detroit Fire Academy and serve a one-year probation.
Apply / get notifiedOfficial recruitment page
Minimum requirements
- At least 18 years old and a US citizen src
- High school diploma or GED src
- Valid Michigan driver license at hire; poor driving record may disqualify src
- Pass and maintain at least a Michigan EMT license src
- Meet Michigan Firefighters Training Council eligibility standards src
- CPAT pass or certificate submitted at interview and hire src
- Vision correctable to 20/30, uncorrected no worse than 20/100 src
Certifications
- EMT: unknown
- Firefighter I/II: not required (academy provided)
Source: official page
Tests
- Computer Based Test (CBT) (written): Reading, sentence clarity, basic math, map reading, spelling; 65% to pass src
- CPAT (physical): Pass/fail; proof required src
- Oral interview (oral): Pass/fail, two-member panel src
Hiring process
- Apply online with CPAT proof, diploma/GED and license
- Computer Based Test
- Oral interview
- Eligibility list
- Contingent offer
- Background, driving record and reference checks
- Physical, drug screen, psychological and medical evaluation
- Detroit Fire Academy (about 5 months, paid)
- One-year probation
Source: official page
Starting pay
$43,043/yr in academy; $45,994 (EMT) or $48,648 (paramedic) after academy (2025-26 posting) src
Academy
About 5 months of paid training at the Detroit Fire Academy src
Checked 2026-11-05 against the department's official pages (linked). Hiring windows open and close quickly; always confirm on the official site before you apply. See every academy, EMT program and test site in Michigan.