How to get hired at New Orleans Fire Department

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

Hiring statusStatus unknown

NOFD's recruitment site links to an active-looking Fire Recruit (7209) posting on governmentjobs.com but gives no open or close dates. The posting itself could not be opened to check. src

LocationNew Orleans, LA

Career firefighters712

Stations32

NOFD hires entry-level candidates as Fire Recruits (class code 7209) through New Orleans Civil Service on governmentjobs.com. A separate Certified Firefighter I track is for applicants with experience and certifications. Candidates take a multiple-choice written exam and a five-event timed physical agility test, then go through drug screening, a background check, a conditional offer, and psychological and medical exams. Recruits complete 24 weeks of paid academy training and then 12 months of probation.

Apply / get notified Official recruitment page

Minimum requirements

Age 18 or older at time of application src
High school diploma or GED, with proof submitted to Civil Service within two weeks of applying src
Valid government-issued photo ID within two weeks of applying src
Valid driver's license before a conditional job offer src
Must pass all five physical agility events src
No residency requirement. Domicile rules are waived and Orleans Parish residency is only a hiring preference. src

Certifications

EMT: not required
Firefighter I/II: not required (academy provided)

Source: official page

Tests

Civil Service multiple-choice written exam (written): Weighted 100%, with about 24% coming from an audio component src
NOFD Physical Agility Exam (physical): Five timed events: obstacle course, stair/ladder climb, hose hoist, hose extension, and blacked-out maze. Two attempts per event. src
Psychological evaluation (other) src

Hiring process

Apply online and submit documents
Written exam
Physical agility exam
Substance abuse screening
Nationwide criminal background check
Conditional offer
Psychological evaluation
Medical exam
Academy (24 weeks)
12-month probation

Source: official page

Starting pay

Fire Recruit $41,925/yr. Certified Firefighter I $45,734/yr. src

Academy

24 weeks of paid training at the Municipal Training Academy, followed by 12 months of 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 Louisiana.