How to get hired at Tucson Fire Department

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

Hiring statusNot currently hiring

The 2026 job posting ran Aug 1 to Aug 20, 2026. The process is now in its later stages: Intern Orientation Nov 14-15 and 21-22, final interviews Dec 7-11, final offers Jan 26, 2027, and the academy starts Feb 8, 2027. src

LocationTucson, AZ

Career firefighters632

Stations22

Tucson hires uniformed staff only at the Firefighter level, through Civil Service testing during periodic recruitments. Candidates do not need EMT, Firefighter I/II or Tucson residency to apply. The process runs from CPAT through a weekend Intern Orientation and interviews to a contingent offer and a 22-week academy, where recruits earn Arizona Firefighter I/II and train to EMT-Basic.

Apply / get notified Official recruitment page

Minimum requirements

At least 18 years old src
High school diploma, GED or equivalent src
Valid driver's license with two years of driving experience src
Able to obtain Arizona EMT certification on graduating from the academy src
Physically able to perform the essential functions of firefighting src
EMT, Firefighter I/II and Tucson residency are not required to apply (future recruitments may change this) src
Must pass a psychological evaluation, a medical evaluation and fingerprinting before a final offer src

Certifications

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

Source: official page

Tests

City Civil Service written exam (written): The vendor and format are not named on the pages opened. src
CPAT (physical): Orientations and timed practices are offered. A passing timed practice counts as an official pass. src
Intern Orientation (other): A multi-day test held over weekends, by invitation src
Hiring and final interviews (oral) src

Hiring process

Apply online during the posting window
Civil Service testing
CPAT
Intern Orientation (multi-day weekend test)
Hiring interview
Final interview
Contingent offer (psych, medical, fingerprinting)
Final offer
22-week academy

Source: official page

Starting pay

$22.15/hr during the academy (rate effective Oct 5, 2026); $54,208/yr after the academy src

Academy

22-week academy; recruits earn Arizona Firefighter I/II and train to EMT-Basic 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 Arizona.