MenuFire Department Recruitment
Do you have what it takes?
Becoming a firefighter for the City of Raleigh is a highly competitive process. The Training Division typically receives over one thousand applications for each recruit academy, from men and women of many backgrounds. As a result, the Raleigh Fire Department is a true melting pot of people from across North Carolina and the United States.
The starting salary for a firefighter in FY12 is $32,673.
Recruitment Status
The Application Process is currently closed. If you would like information on the next open recruitment period, please provide your contact information on our Recruitment Form.
How to Become a Raleigh Firefighter
- Complete Fire Recruitment Packet
- Attend Orientation Days (Optional)
- Register for written aptitude and physical agility testing
- Complete written aptitude and physical agility testing
- Background and reference checks
- Oral interview
- Offer of employment
Applications are only accepted for positions that are currently being recruited. The City of Raleigh generally recruits for Firefighter positions every year. More information about the application, testing, and interview process is located in the related information section.
Fire Recruitment Process
All new recruits complete a 28-week recruit academy conducted at the Keeter Training Center which includes both intense physical training and a challenging academic program. Required to maintain an minimum 80% average, recruits receive several certifications before graduation and their assignment to a fire station (EMT, Firefighter I and II, Haz-Mat Operations Plus)
Read about our Fire Recruitment process
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Working as a Raleigh Firefighter
Once assigned to a specific company, firefighters may be reassigned several times over the course of their career through transfers and promotions.
Firefighters are also temporarily transferred to other stations to fill vacancies created by sick days, vacation days, and other types of absences.
Learn more about working as a Firefighter
Overview of the Physical Agility Test (PAT)
Caution: Applicants are advised to consult their personal physician before starting a self-preparation training program and before participating in the agility test.
See what it takesFire Department's Diversity Statement
Definition - As understood in the workplace today, diversity implies differences in people based on their identifications with various groups.
