H2 Firefighter Recruitment - Prospective Candidates

Step 1: Apply Online

All candidates interested in the H-2 Firefighter position must apply by going through the City and County of San Francisco’s Department of Human Resources website.

Step 2: Set Up FCTC Account

Pass the FCTC Written Test 

The FCTC Written Test was developed by the California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee (Cal-JAC).  

The FCTC Written Exam is a 100 question, multiple choice test consisting of the following four sections: 

  • Section 1 – Recall and Comprehend Verbal and Visual Information. This section requires candidates to watch two short videos and answer questions based on the scenarios presented. 
  • Section 2 – Apply Mechanical Reasoning 
  • Section 3 – Solve Mathematical Problems 
  • Section 4 – Recall and Comprehend Technical Information from Written Materials 

The FCTC Written Test is administered at minimum quarterly. Additional tests will be added as needed, so check this website frequently. FCTC does not administer online tests.  

Visit the FCTC website to see the upcoming test schedule. 

Scores will be added to a candidate's FCTC record within one week of the test date.  Candidates must achieve a minimum passing score of 70%.  The Public Safety Team will obtain candidate scores from FCTC.  

Note: If you are experiencing financial hardship, you can apply for an application waiver fee which covers the cost of the written test prep, written test, CPAT practice session and test. 

Pass the FCTC Candidate Physical Ability Test

Candidates must pass the FCTC Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) that includes an agility and strength test. The CPAT card must have a completion date of less than a year from the time of the job offer. Candidates must possess a valid CPAT card at the time of their preliminary interview panel.

Participants in the CPAT must navigate eight separate events on a closed course within a span of 10 minutes and 20 seconds. Each event simulates a physical skill or function that firefighters experience on the job.

  • Stair Climb
  • Hose Drag
  • Equipment Carry
  • Ladder Raise and Extension
  • Forcible Entry
  • Search
  • Rescue Drag
  • Ceiling Breach and Pull

During the test, candidates wear a helmet, gloves and 50-lb weighted vests, designed to simulate the weight of firefighter personal protective equipment. For the stair climb – the first event – candidates will don an additional 25-lb weight, to simulate the carrying of a hose pack into a high-rise fire.

Candidates will be accompanied by a test proctor, who will call out directions for the test events and score the candidate’s success in real time.

Each event must be completed exactly as prescribed – if a candidate fails any component of the test, they will fail the entire test. Candidates also fail if they do not complete the eight events within the 10-minute, 20-second time limit.

NOTE: If you are experiencing financial hardship, you can apply for an application waiver fee which covers the cost of the written test prep, written test, CPAT practice session and test. 

Submit Proof of EMT Certification

Candidates must possess a current, valid National Registry EMT, or EMT-1 Certification (EMT-1) issued by the State of California or issued by a California county within LEMSA to be named on the eligible list. Possession of a current, valid California Paramedic license [in good standing] may be provided in lieu of the EMT certification. Verification of this certificate must be sent via email to DHR-PublicSafety@sfgov.org. Candidates must be able to accredit with the local EMS Authority within the one-year probationary period. 

Visit the Emergency Medical Services Personnel Registry website to verify your California EMT or paramedic certification.

Upload Relevant Documents to FCTC

All candidates are advised to regularly review their FCTC account and upload any required documents. 

Step 3: Update Your Fire Recruitment Profile

After the eligibility list is published on DHR’s website, all candidates that met the minimum passing score will be emailed a link from FireRecruitment@sfgov.org to set up their Fire Recruitment portal. Candidates must respond to this questionnaire with any additional information and upload relevant documents. 

Step 4: Interviews

The Oral Interview will assess knowledge and awareness of San Francisco's diverse communities, interest and motivation for public service and public safety, interpersonal skills, problem solving, oral communication skills and abilities not tested by other examination components. The Oral Interview will also assess for knowledge and understanding of the diversity of San Francisco, its population, hazards, community, and of the San Francisco Fire Department. 

Preliminary Panel Interviews

  • Candidates selected to move forward in the process will be invited via email to a preliminary panel interview. Interviews are given based on the hiring needs of the Department. 
  • Preliminary Interview will be conducted by uniformed members of the Fire Department. 

Command Staff Interviews

  • Command Staff Interview will be conducted by Executive Officers and may include the Chief of Department and staff. 
  • All candidates must possess a CPAT card with a test date of less than one year if invited to a Command Staff Interview. 
  • Candidates who are selected by the Chief of the Department will be notified via email to proceed to medicals and background evaluations, preparing for the 20-week Firefighter Recruit Academy. 

If candidates are offered a provisional job offer, candidates will proceed to a background investigation and medical examination by SFFD personnel. 

Step 5: Pass Background Investigation

  • Relevant Documentation: During the background investigation component of the application process, candidates will be required to provide all relevant documentation to the Investigative Services Bureau.
    • If an item (such as certification or employment) is listed as a minimum qualification or if referenced on a secondary survey, verification may be required during the background investigation.
  • Driving Record: Applicants must possess a valid Class A, B, or C California Driver License.
    • Please note that applicants who proceed to the Background Investigation phase of the selection process must provide on their background forms a full and complete listing of all motor vehicle violations. Any significant discrepancy between an applicant's statement and the Department of Motor Vehicles’ records may result in disqualification.
  • Criminal Record: Applicants must not have been convicted of a felony in this state, or in any other state or in any federal or other jurisdiction, of an act that would be considered a felony if committed in this state. Applicants must not have been on probation for a misdemeanor offense from one year prior to application up to and including the date of your appointment. Convictions for misdemeanors within one year prior to application will be evaluated individually and may result in disqualification.
    • Please note that a complete listing of all convictions and pending matters must be provided during the Background Investigation phase. Failure to fully disclose prior convictions may be cause for elimination.

Applicants must also disclose if they have ever been convicted or have any pending felony or misdemeanor offenses in California or in any other state or place, including entering a plea of nolo contendere or no contest, and including any conviction which has been expunged (set aside) under Penal Code Section 1203.4.

Step 6: Pass Medical Examination

After receiving a provisional offer of employment, applicants must successfully pass a medical examination administered by the Office of Employee Health. Provisional offers will only be extended to candidates who are likely to be selected for appointment to the Fire Academy.

The medical examination conducted by the San Francisco Fire Department will include the following: 

  • Medical history questionnaire
  • Drug and alcohol screening
  • Physical examination
  • Blood and urine tests
  • Hearing assessment
  • Height, weight, and body fat measurement (body fat must be less than 25% for males and less than 32% for females)
  • EKG and Pulmonary Function Tests
  • Vision and color vision screening
  • Tuberculosis (TB) blood test
  • Verification of vaccination status for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, MMR, varicella, and a tetanus vaccine within the past 10 years

Note: If any test results are abnormal, you will need to follow up with your personal healthcare provider for further testing. To avoid delays in your application process, please make sure to inform your Primary Care Provider about your application or establish care with one in advance.

Applicants will be evaluated based on the NFPA 1582, Standard on Medical Requirements for Fire Fighters and Information for Fire Department Physicians, which is available for purchase from the National Fire Protection Association.

Each applicant’s medical condition will be assessed individually by the Office of Employee Health to determine their fitness for employment as a firefighter. Candidates advancing to the Medical Examination stage will be required to complete a Medical History Statement. Any false statements or omissions on this form, as determined by the Chief of the Fire Department, will result in disqualification.

This final step applies to candidates who receive a final offer. 

Step 7: Successfully Complete Fire Academy

Candidates that are selected into the H2 Firefighter Recruit academy should be prepared for a 20-week arduous process to evaluate their proficiency to meet the minimum standards of the San Francisco Fire Department.

  • The H2 Recruit Academy is a blend of BLS level EMS skills, Firefighter-1 & Firefighter-2 suppression skills (including wildland and hazardous materials response training), as well as physical training that consists of endurance, strength, and flexibility exercises.
  • The hours of the academy are from 0800 – 1700 hours, Monday thru Friday. Additional training is offered during the weekdays and on Saturdays. 
  • When recruits are being evaluated for each skill during the academy, it is imperative that they perform the skill in the exact manner as specified by the training staff. The Firefighter recruit is not just being evaluated on their ability to perform a skill to proficiency, they are also being evaluated on their:
    • Ability to receive and retain instruction.
    • Process that information in a timely manner.
    • Perform the skill exactly how they were taught.

As a member of the San Francisco Fire Department, you are becoming a member of a busy, aggressive fire agency that serves a densely populated area with a history of disasters and major fires. As a member of our team, we need to know that you can be called upon to perform firefighting and EMS tasks exactly according to our standard operating procedures. These standards have been developed to maintain your fellow firefighters and the public’s safety.