If you decide to pursue a fire service career, then a plan should be put in place to guide you towards your goal. To be a firefighter with the Central County Fire Department, you must meet our minimum employment qualifications. They are:

• Minimum 18 years of age at time of employment
• Eligible to work in the United States
• High School diploma or equivalent
• Current EMT-1, (B)asic, (D)efibrillator, or Paramedic licenser (National Registry acceptable)
• Valid California Class “C” license or equivalent.
• Candidates must be on the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center, “FCTC”, statewide eligibility list

When you have met the minimum qualifications (this oftentimes varies between departments), you can begin the actual testing process.  For the Central County Fire Department, the screening/testing process typically consists of the following:

• CCFD Hiring Committee interviews
• Fire Chief’s interview
• Thorough background investigation
• Physical examination along with drug screening

Once you have completed this extensive pre-employment / screening process, you will join other recruits throughout San Mateo County and attend a fourteen-week fire academy.

After academy graduation, you will undergo more rigorous training and testing with the goal of successfully completing our Department’s eighteen-month probationary period. The training doesn’t end there, though.  A career in the fire service means continuous training throughout the duration of your career. You should also consider the physical demands placed on firefighters and take steps to keep yourself in top physical condition throughout your career.

CCFD will post the job openings on CalOpps, our website, and social media. CCFD uses the Firefighter Candidate-Testing Center (FCTC) to establish an eligibility list.  Candidates must meet the minimum requirements for the position and be on the FCTC eligibility list. CCFD will send out invitations to eligible candidates after determining the minimum passing score of the FCTC written exam.

Individuals that move through the process to the Chief’s interview will be put on an eligibility list. The list will last 12-24 months at the Chief’s discretion.

Candidates being considered for the position will be notified by email and/or mail.

Once candidates are notified they are advancing in the process, they are provided the rules and regulations of station visits.  We encourage candidates to visit stations, but please understand that crews are not always going to be available due to operational needs.

When you have met the minimum qualifications (this oftentimes varies between departments), you can begin the actual testing process.  For the Central County Fire Department, the screening/testing process typically consists of the following:

• CCFD Hiring Committee interviews
• Fire Chief’s interview
• Thorough background investigation
• Physical examination along with drug screening

Once you have completed this extensive pre-employment / screening process, you will join other recruits throughout San Mateo County and attend a fourteen-week fire academy.

Click here to view all the Accredited Academies in the state.