Firefighter Information Page
This information was last updated on November 16, 2009.
The current Firefighter eligible list has been extended through January 8, 2010.
We are no longer accepting Firefighter transfers at this time.
Residency Points were approved for rank order, non-promotional employment exams by the Saint Paul City Council. Applicants who live in Saint Paul on the application deadline, AND have lived in the City for one year prior to the application deadline, will receive 5 additional points on their final passing score. Details on proof of residency will be available in the official job announcement.
Firefighter Hiring Process
The City of Saint Paul will accept applications for Firefighter beginning on January 4, 2010, through 4:30 p.m. on January 29, 2010. You must apply during this job announcement period in order to take the exams for Firefighter.
The Saint Paul Firefighter Written Exam will be held on Monday, March 8, 2010 at Saint Paul RiverCentre. Specific details including the time of the exam will be on the official job announcement. This is a skills and aptitude test which covers a broad range of skills and abilities that have been found to be important to the job of a Firefighter. This includes basic skills in reading, writing and math; judgment and reasoning; interpersonal skills; problem solving; and ability to work with diverse groups, including members of the public. Once you apply in January, you will be sent a study guide for this exam.
Candidates must pass the written exam with 75%, or better, to take the physical performance exam.
Recruitment Information
Read about Fire Chief Tim Butler's experiences in the Saint Paul Fire Academy at www.saintpaulfirechief.blogspot.com. This could help you better prepare or anticiapate the challenges of the fire academy!
The Saint Paul Fire Department is hosting an Open House at Fire Station 24 on November 18, 2009 from 5-8pm.
Tour the station, ask questions, view fire apparatus, and meet Saint Paul Firefighters! View the flyer for information.
If you would like to be notified when the City of Saint Paul has specific information available about the testing process, please fill out this form.
Check out our recruiting page on Facebook!
2010 Firefighter Recruitment Video
2010 Firefighter Physical Performance Test
The Physical Performance Exams will tentatively take place in May or June of 2010.
View a video of the
Physical Performance Test.
For detailed information about the physical performance test, including stations and weight specifications,
click here.
For suggestions on how to prepare for the physical performance test,
click here.
Firefighter Requirements
- High School Graduation or GED
- Must be 18 years old
- Valid Minnesota Class D driver's license, or equivalent out-of-state driver's license. The driver's license must have no suspensions or revocations for driving-related offenses, within the two year period prior to the date of hire. Suspensions for parking-related offenses are excluded.
- Current State of Minnesota Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification. Candidates may participate in the testing process and be placed on the eligible list without submitting proof of EMT certification. However, EMT certification is required prior to the date of hire. No candidate will be appointed to the position of Firefighter without possession of EMT certification.
The Ideal Candidate
The City of Saint Paul is looking for candidates to serve as Firefighters. These candidates are expected to protect the life and property of Saint Paul communities, by extinguishing fires, treating emergency medical problems, and inspecting property. Firefighters will be joining a team that is dedicated to providing compassionate, prompt, state-of-the-art services to ensure the safety and well being of the community.
The ideal candidate will be a leader, able to use their interpersonal influence to show initiative, inspire, motivate, and mentor others; be flexible, dependable, punctual, and accountable in every day work and interactions; possess excellent problem solving skills, strong communication skills, and demonstrate a high level of customer service. The successful candidate will demonstrate positive, consistent behavior, maintain complete response readiness at all times, and support the safety of one another in a team.
Candidates must demonstrate the ability to lift victims, equipment, and tools of up to 175 lbs, maneuver them around obstacles and under adverse conditions. Firefighters will work in difficult work environments including conditions of high heat, low visibility, confined space, on elevated ladder or apparatus, at accident scenes, under pressure or stressful conditions, and under adverse weather conditions wearing full personal protective equipment.
Additional skills or education that are desirable to the City of Saint Paul include fluency in a second language prevalent in Saint Paul; experience working in diverse communities; an associate degree, or equivalent semester credits; national registration as a Paramedic and able to be certified as a Paramedic in the State of Minnesota; Firefighter I and Firefighter II certifications from the Minnesota Fire Certification Board; experience as an emergency medical responder, or as a full-time, volunteer, or military Firefighter.
2010 Firefighter Salary and Benefits
The 3-month Academy, Firefighter Trainee Salary is $1,453 (Bi-weekly)
Firefighter Annual Salary after the Academy:
Starting: $47,419
3-year: $59,458
5-year: $61,852
For other current benefit information, click here.
More Information
The Fire Department website will provide you with additional information about the Saint Paul Fire Department.
Please review the Firefighter Job Description for more information about the position of Firefighter with the City of Saint Paul.
Visit our Employment Opportunities page for current job openings with the City of Saint Paul.
Click here to be connected to the International Association of Women in Fire and Emergency Services website, and
view "A Day in the Life of a Firefighter" - a video produced by the California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee.
An Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Employer
