How to get hired at Orange County Fire Authority
OCFA hires entry-level Firefighter Trainees, who need no firefighting experience but must hold an EMT (or paramedic) license and be on the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List, which means passing the FCTC written test and CPAT. Invited candidates then take OCFA's Biddle physical agility test, a panel interview and a Chief's interview before background, medical and a pre-academy fitness check. Hires attend the OCFA fire academy and then serve 52 weeks of probation. Licensed paramedics can apply on a separate Firefighter Paramedic Trainee track.
Apply / get notifiedOfficial recruitment page
Minimum requirements
- At least 18 years old src
- High school diploma or equivalency src
- Valid Class C California driver license (or out-of-state equivalent) src
- Current California or National EMT license (or paramedic license), attached at application src
- On the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List with a written score of 80% or higher and a valid CPAT card src
- No firefighting experience required src
Certifications
- EMT: required at application
- Firefighter I/II: not required (academy provided)
Source: official page
Tests
- FCTC written (written): 80% or higher; scores expire after 12 months src
- CPAT (physical): Required for the FCTC eligibility list src
- Biddle Physical Agility Test (physical): OCFA's own test; a CPAT does not substitute src
- Panel interview and Chief's interview (oral) src
Hiring process
- Apply online
- FCTC written test and CPAT
- Biddle physical agility test
- Panel interview
- Chief's interview
- Background, medical exam and pre-academy fitness assessment
- Fire academy
- 52-week probation
Source: official page
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.