How to get hired at Sacramento Fire Department
Hiring statusStatus unknown
Firefighter Recruit applications open each summer, by invitation to candidates on the FCTC eligibility list; no current dates are posted. Sign up for hiring notifications. src
LocationSacramento, CA
Career firefighters539
Stations23
Sacramento Fire hires Fire Recruits (EMT or Paramedic) who are already EMT- or paramedic-certified and on the FCTC statewide eligibility list. When a recruitment opens, usually each summer, SFD pulls eligible candidates from FCTC and invites them to apply. Hires must pass background, medical and psychological evaluations.
Apply / get notifiedOfficial recruitment page
Minimum requirements
- At least 21 by the academy completion date src
- High school diploma or GED src
- Authorized to work in the U.S. src
- California driver's license src
- EMT or paramedic certification src
- On the FCTC statewide eligibility list src
- EMT or paramedic school completed by the previous December, with the National Registry exam passed src
- Pass background, medical and psychological evaluations src
Certifications
- EMT: required at application
- Firefighter I/II: unknown
Source: official page
Tests
- FCTC statewide eligibility list (other): Candidates must register with FCTC and be on its list; SFD invites eligible candidates from it src
Hiring process
- Earn EMT or paramedic certification (NREMT)
- Register with FCTC and get on the statewide eligibility list
- Receive SFD invitation to apply when recruitment opens (summer)
- Background, medical and psych evaluations
- Academy
Source: official page
Starting pay
Firefighter EMT $75,751 to $118,772; Firefighter Paramedic $83,327 to $128,923 (includes basic incentives) 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.