How to get hired at Marion County Fire Rescue

Written by a career firefighter · Updated 2026-11-04

Marion County Fire Rescue periodically hires non-certified recruits into a fully paid training program at the Fire College in Marion County. Graduates then move into full-time careers with the department. A 2025 recruitment used two qualifying rounds, a fitness test and a firefighting skills test, before the Non-Certified Recruit Academy. The county covered firefighter and EMT training in exchange for a three-year commitment.

Official recruitment page

Minimum requirements

• No prior firefighter or EMT certification needed for the non-certified recruit program src
• Three-year service commitment in exchange for county-paid firefighter and EMT training; tuition must be repaid if the recruit leaves early (2025 recruitment) src

Certifications

• EMT: earned in the academy
• Firefighter I/II: not required (academy provided)

Source: official page

Tests

• Fitness benchmarks (physical): Push-ups, sit-ups and a 1.5-mile run (2025 recruitment) src
• Firefighting skills round (physical): Ladder climb, hose connections and dummy drag (2025 recruitment) src

Hiring process

1. Recruitment testing event
2. Fitness benchmarks round
3. Firefighting skills round
4. Offer
5. Non-Certified Recruit Academy (firefighter and EMT)
6. Full-time firefighter

Source: official page

Academy

Fully paid Non-Certified Recruit Academy at the Fire College in Marion County, covering firefighter and EMT training 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 Florida.