Firefighter Recruit

About This Role

The Philadelphia Fire Department is recruiting Firefighter Recruits to serve America's sixth-largest city. Philadelphia's housing stock — dense rowhouses dating to the 18th and 19th centuries — creates intense structural fire challenges that make PFD one of the most operationally demanding departments in the Northeast.

Job Overview

• Job Title: Firefighter Recruit
• Company: Philadelphia Fire Department
• Location: Philadelphia, PA
• Job Type: Full-time
• Experience Level: Entry-level
• Salary Range: $20–$28/hr
• Posted Date: 2026-06-01
• Application Deadline: 2026-07-01

Role Context

PFD recruits attend a 16-week fire academy at the Training Academy in Northeast Philadelphia. The department's 66 fire stations are spread across the city's 142 square miles, with the busiest companies handling upwards of 20 structural fires annually. Philly's rowhouse stock requires proficiency in rapid interior attack and exposure protection techniques unique to attached construction.

Key Responsibilities

• Suppress fires in Philadelphia's historic attached rowhouse neighborhoods
• Operate engine and ladder apparatus on the city's dense street grid
• Provide first-responder medical care at emergency scenes
• Perform forcible entry, search, rescue, and ventilation under incident command
• Conduct fire code inspections in commercial and multi-family residential buildings
• Support haz-mat and technical rescue operations across the department

Requirements & Skills

• Philadelphia residency at time of appointment (one year minimum)
• Pass Pennsylvania Civil Service Firefighter Exam
• CPAT certification required; strong physical fitness standards
• High school diploma or GED required
• Valid Pennsylvania driver's license
• Clear background investigation and drug screen

Benefits & Work Conditions

• $20–$28/hr under IAFF Local 22 agreement
• Philadelphia Fire and Police Pension Fund (defined benefit)
• City health, dental, and vision benefits
• 24-on/72-off shift schedule at most companies
• Career advancement to Lieutenant, Captain, and Battalion Chief

Who Should Apply

Philadelphia residents with a strong work ethic and desire for a career defined by community impact. PFD's rowhouse fire environment builds technical firefighting skills rapidly — recruits gain operational experience within their first months on the job that takes years to accumulate in lower-volume departments.

About the Company

Philadelphia Fire Department operates 66 fire stations with over 2,100 uniformed personnel. One of the oldest fire departments in the United States, PFD serves a city with some of the most historically dense residential building stock in North America, requiring specialized interior attack expertise.

How to Apply

Apply through the Philadelphia Civil Service Commission at phila.gov. The process includes a written civil service exam, CPAT, medical evaluation, psychological screening, and background investigation. Exam announcements are posted on phila.gov/fire/careers.