Fire Department · Career
Glendale Fire Department
Glendale, AZ · Maricopa County
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗Glendale Fire Department traces its roots to 1912, when it was formed as a volunteer department; it transitioned to a full-time professional department in 1956. The department has a history of firefighting innovation in the Phoenix metro area, training its first certified paramedics in 1972 and helping establish the Valley's automatic aid system in 1975, under which the closest available fire truck responds to a call rather than always the truck from the nearest station.
Today GFD holds an ISO Public Protection Classification of Class 1, the highest rating available, reflecting an exemplary fire suppression program. The department responds to fires, medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, and technical rescues on a 24/7 basis, and operates a hazardous materials team established in 1997. GFD is also a partner in the Glendale Regional Public Safety Training Center (GRPSTC), used to train its own recruits as well as regional partner agencies.
Beyond emergency response, the department runs community-facing programs including a Crisis Response Team that provides emotional support and assistance at emergency scenes, a Cadet Program for young people interested in fire service careers, and ongoing fire prevention, safety education, and community outreach efforts.
MissionTo make the community safer through innovative fire, medical, and customer services.
Glendale Fire Department hires for Firefighter Recruit and Incumbent ALS Firefighter positions through a competitive testing process that includes online testing, a physical ability test, and a practical academy component at the Glendale Regional Public Safety Training Center (GRPSTC). The department periodically closes and reopens recruitment; candidates are encouraged to follow GFD's social media and submit a job interest card to be notified when hiring reopens.
Requirements
- Complete the online application, including required documentation uploads
- Pass the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) by date of hire
- Pass the WONSCORE pre-employment assessment and SPARK one-way interview
- Complete a multi-day practical component at the GRPSTC academy
- Pass drug testing/urinalysis and a background check
- Pass an Occupational Health NFPA 1582 physical
- See the specific job description for additional job-specific requirements
Hiring process
- Complete online application with required document uploads
- Pass the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)
- Complete online testing: WONSCORE pre-employment assessment and SPARK one-way interview
- Complete practical testing component over multiple days at the GRPSTC academy
- Receive conditional job offer
- Pass drug testing/urinalysis and background check
- Pass Occupational Health NFPA 1582 physical
- Complete City of Glendale new employee orientation and occupational medical physical
- Complete academy training (Firefighter Recruit: 14-week regional academy; Incumbent ALS Firefighter: 6-week bridge academy)
- Serve a 1-year probationary period after date of hire
Firefighter Recruits complete a 14-week regional academy (560 hours) at the Glendale Regional Public Safety Training Center (GRPSTC). Incumbent ALS Firefighters complete a shorter 6-week bridge academy (240 hours) at GRPSTC.
What is Glendale Fire Department's ISO rating?
Glendale's current ISO Public Protection Classification is Class 1, the highest rating possible, reflecting an exemplary fire suppression program.
Is Glendale Fire Department currently hiring firefighters?
Recruitment opens periodically; the most recent Firefighter (Incumbent ALS & Recruit) posting has closed. Candidates are encouraged to follow GFD's social media channels or submit a job interest card to be notified when the next recruitment opens.
Does the closest fire station always respond to my emergency?
Not necessarily. Glendale Fire is part of an automatic aid agreement covering most of the Phoenix metro area, so the closest available fire truck responds to an emergency, which is not always the truck from the station nearest to you.
What is the Cadet Program?
The Cadet Program lets people 18 and older who are interested in a firefighting career ride along on fire apparatus, train alongside sworn personnel, and learn fire suppression, EMS, and hazmat skills, while working toward EMT certification and volunteering monthly hours under an assigned mentor.
What training do new firefighter recruits complete?
New Firefighter Recruits complete a 14-week regional academy (560 hours) at the Glendale Regional Public Safety Training Center, followed by a 1-year probationary period.