Employment and Training : Recruitment : Arlington, Virginia

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Firefighter/EMT Recruitment

The recruitment for Firefighter/EMT I Recruit will begin on Friday May 11, 2012. The process will remain open until Tuesday May 22, 2012. Request email notification when the recruitment period officially opens.

Recruitment Process Overview

This page contains all of the information that you will need as you enter the recruitment process. Please ensure that you review all of the information on this page, as it outlines the entire hiring process and contains essential information and forms.

As an overview, the sequence of events that will take place during the recruitment process are as follows:

Submission of online application
Application screening
Communication of eligibility via letter and/or email
Written examination
CPAT Practice Sessions
Submission of Background Package
CPAT Official Test
Fingerprinting & Ongoing Background Investigation
Panel Interview with Fire Department Personnel
Conditional Offer of Employment
Polygraph Examination
Psychological and Physical Examinations
Uniform Fitting
Interview with the Fire Chief
Final Offer of Employment

Important Facts and Information

Please make note of the following information pertaining to the Firefighter/EMT I Recruit hiring process:

Applicants must possess a valid driver's license at the time of appointment.
Applicants must be in good physical condition and be able to do prolonged and physically strenuous work under hazardous conditions.
Employees are not required to live in Virginia.
Applicants must reapply if they have previous applied for the position of Firefighter/EMT I Recruit.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age by the date of the written examination.

Written Examination Info

An Exam Study Guide (773 KB PDF) is available to assist applicants in preparing for the written examination. Refer to pages 15 and 16 for information regarding the test requirement that applicant social security numbers are included on specific test materials. Additionally, applicants must bring a valid photo ID to the written examination.

Background Package Info

Applicants should immediately begin the process of collecting all necessary documents for the background package due to the large amount of information that is required. Applicants who are successful in the written examination must submit background packages no later than Friday, August 10, 2012. Please note that all required elements must be included. Please do not mail any transcripts, criminal or driving history reports, or any other documents directly to the fire department. All items must be collected by you and submitted in one envelope in order for the Background Package to be considered complete. Please follow the links below to download all of the elements of your Background Package.

Information About the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)

The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) CPAT requires that all candidates for Firefighter/EMT I Recruit participate in one or more of the scheduled Practice Sessions, along with the two Timed-Run Practice Sessions in order to participate in the Official CPAT. Candidates may waive their participation in the Practice Sessions and the Timed-Run Practice Sessions by submitting a waiver form.

Please note that if you do not participate in any of the Practice Sessions and/or the Timed-Run Practice Sessions, nor do you submit a waiver form, you will not be eligible to participate in the Official CPAT. Waivers must be included in the background package as submitted, which must be received by the ACFD no later than Friday, August 10, 2012. The schedule and location for the CPAT Practice Sessions and Timed-Run Practice Sessions will be posted shortly at the link below.

CPAT Candidate Preparation Guide (10 MB PDF)
CPAT Mentoring Program Video (IAFF copyright)
More About the CPAT (IAFF copyright)
CPAT Waiver Form (PDF)
CPAT Practice Session, Timed-Run Session, and Official Test Schedule (coming soon)

Additional Information

Overview of Position and Hiring Process (925 KB PDF)

Working for Us

The Arlington County Fire Department is fully committed to providing an inclusive work environment that attracts the best-qualified applicants. Targeted recruitment and incorporation of best practices and procedures for selection will be utilized to provide a qualified and diverse workforce to best serve an urban community.

Located just across the Potomac River from Washington D.C., Arlington County Fire Department (ACFD) is a "world-class" fire department that provides essential fire suppression, emergency medical services, and allied public safety services for our densely packed community.

We have over 319 uniform employees (960 KB PDF) and are highly regarded as an innovator and leader in the fire service. We are committed to eliminating threats to the lives, safety and property of the Arlington community.

ACFD protects 26 square miles of residential, commercial business, highway, Metro rail, and federal/ military installations including the Pentagon. One of the highest educated communities in the nation, our population is racially, ethnically and culturally diverse.

ACFD provides mutual aid services to Washington D.C., Alexandria and Fairfax County fire departments. Arlington is home to Ronald Reagan National Airport and we provide backup assistance to the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority Fire Department, Ft. Myer, and the Pentagon.