Become a Firefighter
The Tallahassee Fire Department is looking for hard-working, caring, professional individuals who desire to work in the rewarding and challenging profession of Fire/EMS.
Job Duties Include:
Responds to fire alarms with a fire company. Rescues individuals and provides appropriate emergency medical assistance. Performs property conservation operations such as placing salvage covers, sweeping water and removing debris. Administers first response first aid to injured or afflicted persons or advanced life support if working as a FF/Paramedic. Tallahassee firefighters work a 53-hour workweek, 24 hours on, 48 hours off, with shifts starting at 7 pm.
Entrance Requirements:
Residency: None required
Age: At least 18 years old at the time of application.
Education: Applicant must be a high school graduate or have a GED equivalency at the time of application.
License/Certifications: Possess a valid Class D or Class E Florida Driver's License. Possess a State of Florida Certificate of Compliance for Firefighter Minimum Standards and State of Florida Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic Certification at time of application.
Tobacco Use: Must be a non-user of tobacco products for at least one year immediately preceding the date of application, as evidenced by a sworn affidavit completed at time of hire.
Background Investigation includes: A thorough background investigation will be conducted on those applicants being considered for employment (after a conditional offer is made). A driver's license check will be conducted in all states lived within the last 7 years. Applicants must obtain and send to the department their driving records from all states other than Florida. A panel interview will be conducted and if recommended, an interview with the Fire Chief and Deputy Chiefs. Credit history and personal, employment and neighbor references will be reviewed. Criminal histories from all states of residence will be reviewed. Applicants must request from the appropriate authority, in those states that they have lived, a criminal history be sent to the department.
Testing/Evaluations: A CVSA-Computerized Voice Stress Analysis (similar to a polygraph) will be conducted along with a written and oral psychological evaluation. Finally a job-related physical exam and drug testing will be given.
Benefits Include:
Starting Salary: $32,147.70 annually, with an additional $4,200 annually if hired as a FF/Paramedic. Starting pay may be higher depending on previous firefighter employment experience.
Work Schedule: Tallahassee firefighters work a 53-hour workweek, 24 hours on, 48 hours off, with shifts starting at 7 pm.
Vacation: Based on years of service: Less than 5 years, 159 hours; 5-10 years, 190.8 hours; 10-15 years, 222.6 hours; 15-20 years, 254.40 hours; and over 20 years, 286.20 hours annually.
Sick Leave: 127.20 hours annually.
Kelly Days: Shift personnel receive 24 hours off every 3rd 19-day cycle.
Holidays: Shift personnel receive 10 paid holidays at 8 hours straight time pay for each holiday.
Insurance: Choice of health, dental and life insurances with premiums of health and dental subsidized by the city.
Education: Tuition reimbursement (up to allowable dollar limit per class or school year) available upon approval.
Additional pay incentives:
- Monthly State Educational Supplement for college degree in Fire or EMS related field: AS degree, $50; BS or higher, $110.
- Biweekly payment of $20 for Florida Fire Officer I certification; $15 for Florida Fire Safety Inspector I certification; and $15 for Florida Fire Arson Investigator I certification.
- Monthly Physical Fitness supplement based on time completed for 1.5-mile run or 3-mile walk.
Retirement: Normal retirement is after 25 years of service at 81%, regardless of age; or age 55 with a minimum of five years of service. Payment into the pension system is 10.08%
To Apply
An application can be obtained by filling out the Applicant Interest Form and submitting it online or by printing an application from the city's website. For more information, view the job specifications for firefighter (PDF).
Applications along with copies of the required license/certifications can be mailed or hand delivered to the following address:
The Tallahassee Fire Department
Human Resources Officer
327 N. Adams Street
Tallahassee, FL 32301
We recruit on a continuous basis and all eligible applications are kept active for one year from date of application.
If you do not currently possess the required certifications, please refer to the following links for training center locations.
- TCC's Pat Thomas Academy Firefighter Minimum Standards Program
Introducing a new program available locally. - Firefighter Standards Program
For more information on FF certification, please refer to the State Fire College website. - Emergency Medical Technology Program
For more information on EMT certification, please refer to the Florida Department of Health website.
If you possess an out-of-state firefighter certificate of compliance, contact the Florida State Fire College at the above website or call (352) 369-2800. If you possess an out-of-state EMT or Paramedic certification, contact the State EMS office at the Florida Department of Health website above or call (850) 245-4440.
The City of Tallahassee is an equal opportunity employer and invites applications without regard to race, sex, religion, age, marital status, pregnancy, or national origin. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation during the selection process.