Firefighter

This application is for the test date of: January 24, 2026, at 9:00AM. Applications and all documents are due by January 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM.

*PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION WITHOUT ATTACHING YOUR DIPLOMA/GED, BIRTH CERTIFICATE, FIREFIGHTER/EMT CERTIFICATION, AND BACKGROUND CONSENT FORM (located here)*

Clickhere or here for more information.

Preparation Manuals and Practice Tests can be purchased by clicking here.

PLEASE BE ADVISED : In no case will applications or certifications be accepted after the deadline. In order to receive 5 additional points on the examination for a passing grade, you must also send a copy of your DD214 showing an honorable discharge. If the application or these required documents are not received by the deadline, you will not be eligible to take the examination. This information must accompany the application when completed and returned.

The purpose of this position is to receive training in proper procedures to protect the lives and property of the community by providing fire and medical services. This is accomplished by utilizing skills in firefighting and medical activities, responding to fire, emergency and medical calls, completing fire suppression activities, providing patient care, operating fire and medical equipment and apparatus, maintaining firefighting and paramedic certifications and attending training sessions. Other duties may include performing preventative maintenance on fire and medical equipment and apparatus, assisting with fire station maintenance, completing medical and fire documentation, educating the community on fire safety and first aid procedures and interacting with other City employees and citizens. This position does not provide direction to other employees unless directed by the Fire Chief.

• Responds to fire and emergency calls by completing fire suppression activities for residential and commercial structures, vehicles, rubbish and grass areas, operating apparatus, removing hazards from emergency scenes, rescuing persons from fire and emergency scenes, utilizing fire extinguishing equipment to suppress fires and documenting actions when appropriate.
• Provides emergency medical services by responding and/or driving ambulance to emergency calls, assessing the medical needs of patients, determining best immediate treatment, administering advanced life support, utilizing advanced medical skills, operating life-saving equipment, driving apparatus to emergency scenes, assisting patients to emergency centers, completing medical reports, stocking medical supplies and documenting all services provided.
• Maintains fire-fighting and paramedic equipment and fire station property by performing preventative maintenance on equipment and machinery, ensuring apparatus is operating properly and safely, determining if problematic or faulty parts exist, replacing faulty parts, completing lawn activities such as mowing lawn, assisting with fire station cleaning activities and documenting maintenance actions when appropriate.
• Educates the community about fire safety by responding to citizen inquiries and questions on fire safety, presenting fire safety tips to local schools and businesses, demonstrating appropriate personal actions during fires or emergencies, illustrating proper fire extinguisher use and first aid procedures and assisting with public tours of the fire station when necessary.
• Assist in conducting fire inspections, by visiting various City structures, observing and investigating the premises, determining compliance with fire safety codes and ordinances and documenting findings.
• Maintains current medical and firefighting certifications by participating in continuing education related to medical, fire fighting, driving and computer skills and completing appropriate paperwork for training received.
• Performs the job by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies. The employee may choose the appropriate procedure or policy. Performance is reviewed periodically.

• Must have high school diploma/GED
• Must be between the ages of 18 and 36 on the day of the written exam
• Must be certified Firefighter/EMT OR certified Paramedic to take entrance level civil service examination. Basic Firefighter certification and/or Paramedic certification must be obtained in the time frame provided by the Fire Chief.
• Must be able to pass written exam, oral boards and physical agility examinations.
• Must have valid driver's license
• Must have driving record sufficient for coverage by City's auto liability carrier
• Work requires broad professional and technical knowledge of a specific vocational, administrative, or technical nature in fire.
• Knowledge is normally acquired through certification as an EMT/Paramedic with the Texas Department of Health and completion of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection requirements for certification at the firefighter basic level.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Paramedic certification is strongly preferred

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Considerable knowledge of a specific vocational, administrative or technical nature in fire
• Knowledge in functioning as a lead worker performing essentially the same work as those directed, and includes overseeing work quality, training instructing and scheduling work.

ABILITY TO:

• Ability to read papers, periodicals, journals, manuals, dictionaries, thesauruses, and encyclopedias. Ordinarily, such education is obtained in high school up to college. However, it may be obtained from experience and self-study.
• Ability to deal with system of real numbers; practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement. Ordinarily, such education is obtained in high school up to college. However, it may be obtained from experience and self-study.
• Ability to write reports, prepare business letters, expositions, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech. Ordinarily, such education is obtained in high school up to college. However, it may be obtained from experience and self-study.

PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST:

The Denison Fire Rescue PAT (physical assessment test) will start with the 100-foot aerial climb. The candidate will have a 2-minute rest period before starting the 500-meter row. The row will be performed in traditional PT gear (no weighted vest, helmet, or gloves). The candidate will have a max time limit of 2:15 to complete the 500 meters. If the candidate goes over the max time limit, this will be considered a failure, and their test is done. If the candidate completes the row in time, the candidate will begin a 3-minute rest period to prepare for the circuit portion. During this rest period, the candidate will don a 40lb weight vest, leather gloves, and a structural firefighting helmet. The candidate will then have a max time limit of 5:30 to complete the entire circuit.

1. 100-foot Aerial Ladder Climb

• Objective: Climb a 100-foot aerial ladder
• Time Limit: No time limit, but a steady pace is encouraged
• Actions:
• Put on ladder belt, structural firefighting helmet, and leather gloves

2. 2-Minute Rest Period

• Objective: Rest and prepare for the circuit portion
• Actions:
• Remove ladder belt, structural firefighting helmet, and leather gloves
• Receive instructions for rowing portion

3. 500-Meter Row

• Objective: Row 500 meters on a rowing machine at resistance 8
• Time Limit: 2:15
• Scoring):
  • < 1:40 = 4 points
  • 1:41-1:51 = 3 points
  • 1:52-2:02 = 2 points
  • 2:03-2:08 = 1 point
  • 2:09-2:15 = 0 points
• Failure: > 2:15

4. 3-Minute Rest Period

• Objective: Rest and prepare for the circuit portion.
• Actions:
• Put on a 40-pound weight vest, leather gloves, and a structural firefighting helmet
• Stand by in front of the first station during the last 30 seconds of rest

5. Circuit Portion

• Objective: Complete the circuit with 5 stations
• Time Limit: 5:30
• Scoring:
• < 3:24 = 4 points
• 3:25-3:34 = 3 points
• 3:35-3:44 = 2 points
• 3:45-3:54 = 1 point

• 3:55-5:30 = 0 points

• Failure: > 5:30

Stations in the Circuit:

• Station #1: Tool Carry
• Objective: Carry hydraulic spreaders (above the waist) for 150 feet, around a cone, and back
• Instructions: Return the spreaders gently to the box
• Station #2: High Rise Hose Pack Carry
• Objective: Carry a high-rise hose pack (over the shoulder) for 150 feet
• Instructions: Place the pack gently and proceed to the next station
• Station #3: 1¾" Charged Hose Drag
• Objective: Drag a charged 1¾-inch hose for 100 feet
• Instructions: Once both feet pass the cone, place the nozzle gently and move to the next station
• Station #4: 5" Hose Drag and Pull
• Objective: Drag a 100-foot section of 5" hose
• Instructions: Run with the hose over your shoulder to a 4x4 square, then pull the hose back into the square, ensuring the opposite end is inside before moving on
• Station #5: 180lb Dummy Drag
• Objective: Drag a 180-pound dummy a total distance of 125 feet
• Instructions: After crossing the line, turn the dummy and drag it back to the starting line

Failure Points:

• Tool Drops: One warning per candidate. A second drop results in a failure and immediate cessation of the test
• Overtime: Any event over the time limits (e.g., 2:15 for the row or 5:30 for the circuit) results in failure

Additional Information:

Vitals Check: Medical staff will assess vitals before and after the