How to get hired at Portland Fire & Rescue

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

Portland Fire & Rescue hires entry-level Firefighter EMT/Paramedics during set application periods on governmentjobs.com. Candidates take the National Testing Network FireTEAM test and the CPAT, then go on to an eligibility list, a panel interview, a background check, a Fire Chief interview and a medical exam. EMT certification is not needed to apply, but an Oregon EMT license is required before a job offer.

Apply / get notifiedOfficial recruitment page

Minimum requirements

• Minimum age 18 by the time of conditional offer src
• High school diploma or GED by the time of conditional offer src
• Valid driver's license and passing a City driving evaluation src
• Oregon EMT license required before a job offer (National Registry is enough to apply) src
• US citizen or proof of eligibility to work in the US src
• Pass an NFPA 1582 pre-employment medical exam src

Certifications

• EMT: required before a job offer
• Firefighter I/II: not required (academy provided)

Source: official page

Tests

• NTN FireTEAM + Public Safety Self-Assessment 1 (written): Taken through National Testing Network src
• CPAT (physical): Any authorized site, including Public Safety Testing src
• Panel interview (oral) src
• Fire Chief panel interview (oral) src

Hiring process

1. Apply online during the application period
2. NTN FireTEAM and self-assessment
3. CPAT
4. Eligibility list
5. Panel interview
6. Background investigation
7. Fire Chief panel interview
8. Medical exam (NFPA 1582)
9. Academy, then 12-month probation

Source: official page

Starting pay

$83,929 to $111,538 per year (as of July 2025) 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 Oregon.