How to get hired at City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department
San Diego Fire-Rescue hires entry-level Fire Recruits through the city Personnel Department in short application windows (about 2-3 weeks every 1-2 years) that open when the academy needs a class; the eligibility list lasts one year. Applicants must already hold a California EMT certificate (or NREMT/paramedic), a BLS CPR card and, per the class spec, a valid CPAT certification. Recruits attend a paid fire academy and are promoted to Firefighter I on graduation.
Apply / get notifiedOfficial recruitment page
Minimum requirements
- At least 18 years old src
- High school diploma, CHSPE or GED src
- U.S. citizen or legally authorized to work in the U.S. src
- Valid California EMT certificate or paramedic license (or NREMT-Basic); San Diego County certification at hire src
- Valid Healthcare Provider/BLS CPR card (PALS/PEPP do not qualify) src
- Valid California Class C driver's license at hire src
- Valid CPAT certification src
Certifications
- EMT: required at application
- Firefighter I/II: not required (academy provided)
Source: official page
Tests
- CPAT (physical): Valid CPAT certification is a minimum qualification per Jan 2025 class spec src
- Written entry exam / city civil service exam (written): Math, audio retention, reading comprehension, visual retention, mechanical reasoning src
- Interview (oral): No details published src
Hiring process
- Apply online during window
- Written exam
- Interview
- Academy
Source: official page
Academy
16-week paid Fire Academy, then promotion to Firefighter I and 1-year probation 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 California.