Firefighting is a physically demanding and skilled job with continuous training. You need to be able to think quickly in an emergency and handle life-or-death situations. In addition to fighting fires and rescuing the public from burning buildings, firefighters also:

• Work two consecutive 24-hour shifts (48 hours total), averaging 56 hours per week. Firefighters are expected to work additional hours on overtime when required due to emergencies and other circumstances.
• Provide pre-hospital basic and advanced emergency medical services to members of the public.
• Extinguish fires and perform salvage and overhaul operations.
• Perform water rescues from rivers, lakes, and ponds.
• Respond to community service calls (vehicle and building lockouts, water removal from floods, storm damage repair, animal rescues, lost citizens, etc).
• Protect the public and environment from hazardous material incidents.
• Perform heavy rescue operations from vehicle accidents and collapsed buildings.
• Participate in a variety of training programs to learn the latest firefighting technology and methods.
• Perform fire station, vehicle, and equipment clean up and maintenance duties.
• Work with the public to promote fire prevention by conducting building fire prevention inspections.
• Provide community education programs for preschool and elementary school children, service groups, and other organizations on ways to reduce the risk of fires and other emergencies.

We invite you to explore a challenging career opportunity in one of the most progressive fire departments in California. The following opportunities are available to firefighters with the City of Folsom Fire Department:

• Paramedic Program: Become part of an ever-growing, advanced emergency medical services system provided to our community.
• Water Rescue Team: Get certified as a swift water/flood water rescue technician and provide water safety on the waterways surrounding our community.
• Technical Rescue: Learn exciting new skills in the specialties of confined space, trench, and high- and low-angle rescue.
• Fire Prevention Division: Help prevent fires by training in fire safety inspections, fire code compliance, and public education for personal fire safety.
• Fire Training Division: Advance your education and promotional goals through technical schools, state fire academy, and on-the-job training.
• Fire Investigation: Get certified to conduct investigations into the origin and cause of fires within the city of Folsom.

Education

• High school diploma or GED equivalent or higher.
• Successful completion of a California State Fire Marshal (CSFM) Accredited Regional or Accredited Local Firefighter Training Academy or International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Accredited Academy or ProBoard Accredited Academy or State Fire Marshal Firefighter I Certificate.

Experience

• Prior full-time experience as a Paramedic and/or as a Firefighter is highly desirable.

License, Certification, Registration, and other Requirements

• Age: Must be at least 18 years of age by the final filing date indicated on the job announcement.
• Driver License: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License, or higher, (with DMV print-out) required at the time of appointment.
• Paramedic: Possession of a current National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Paramedic Certificate or California Paramedic license at time of appointment. Possess a current California Paramedic license upon completion of the Folsom Fire Department Orientation Academy.
• CPR: Current CPR certification required.
• Accreditation: Possess and maintain Sacramento County Emergency Medical Services Agency Paramedic accreditation within 90 days of employment as a Firefighter.
• Background: If considered for appointment, candidates must pass a detailed job-related background investigation and may be required to pass a psychological evaluation.
• Medical Examination/Drug Test: If considered for appointment, candidates must pass a medical examination and a drug test.
• Respiratory Protective Equipment: Work in this classification requires wearing respiratory protective equipment at times.

Firefighters take the following types of tests:

• Written Test: Measures mechanical and spatial aptitude, mathematics, and the ability to comprehend firefighting and paramedicine material from written instructions.
• Physical Ability Test: Candidates will be evaluated on their physical preparedness to perform a series of job-related events. A physical ability test must be taken through either the CPAT, Biddle, or Folsom Fire Department's Physical Ability Test.
• Oral Panel Interview: Measures interpersonal relations, oral communication skills, judgment and analytical ability, and your motivation to be a firefighter.
• Paramedic Skills Assessment: Candidates will be expected to demonstrate that they are competent in the field of Paramedicine by performing a series of job-related events in front of a panel of qualified subject matter experts.

• Community College courses in Fire Science, English grammar and reading comprehension, basic math, public speaking, building trades, and auto mechanics.
• First Aid courses such as EMT I Certification, CPR, and Advanced First Aid.
• Community Involvement – volunteer service organizations.
• Paramedic Certification – Local colleges and private institutes offer paramedic courses. Classes are generally 10 to 12 months long.
• Fire Academy – American River College, Sierra College, and Butte College offer local accredited firefighter academies. Refer to the State Fire Training website for other Accredited Fire Academies.
• Firefighter I Certificate – A Firefighter I Certificate may be obtained by joining a volunteer fire department and completing the necessary training to earn a State Fire Marshal Firefighter I Certificate.