Fire Department · Career
Cathedral City Fire
Cathedral City, CA · Riverside County
Cathedral City Fire & EMS serves the desert resort community of Cathedral City in Riverside County's Coachella Valley. Career firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics staff three fire stations, with headquarters at Station 412 on Desert Vista Road.
The department began service as a municipal fire agency on January 1, 1988, starting with roughly twenty full-time personnel operating out of two stations. It has since grown into a fully professional organization providing fire suppression, emergency medical response, and its own ambulance transport.
Recent years have been a high point: the department upgraded to an ISO Class 2 Public Protection Classification (placing it among fewer than 5% of departments nationwide) and earned Accredited Agency status from the Center for Public Safety Excellence in 2025. Through the voter-approved Measure W initiative it expanded staffing and added a fourth ambulance to strengthen around-the-clock coverage.
Beyond core fire and EMS work, the department fields specialty response capability in HazMat, swiftwater rescue, and technical rescue, and runs a Cadet Program mentoring young people toward emergency-services careers.
Cathedral City hires firefighters through California's standard public-safety pipeline: applicants must complete either the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) process or the National Testing Network (NTN) written exam before applying, then submit a City of Cathedral City application. Firefighter/Paramedic candidates need a California Paramedic license and a State Fire Marshal-accredited academy certificate.
Selection runs from application and certification review to first-come skills testing, a panel interview, and a final department-head interview with the Fire Chief, with conditional offers contingent on background, psychological, medical, and drug screening. Candidates must live within 150 miles of the city by the end of an 18-month probation.
Requirements
- At least 18 years old, U.S. citizen, able to read and speak English
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid California driver's license
- Current CPR certificate
- Current California State Paramedic license (for Firefighter/Paramedic) or EMT license as required
- Completion of a California State Fire Marshal-accredited Fire Academy
- State-certified Firefighter I (Firefighter II desirable)
- Current placement on the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List OR a passing National Testing Network written exam within the past year
- Reside within 150 miles of the city limits by the end of the 18-month probation
Hiring process
- Complete FCTC or National Testing Network written exam and meet city screening requirements
- Submit a completed City of Cathedral City application before the deadline
- Application and certification verification review
- Skills testing (scheduled first-come, first-served)
- 30-minute panel interview
- Department-head interview with the Fire Chief
- Conditional offer contingent on background check, psychological exam, medical evaluation, and drug screening
Benefits
Health, dental, and vision coverage; retirement benefits; paid sick, vacation, and holiday time; and tuition reimbursement.
Completion of a State Fire Marshal-accredited Fire Academy is required; two years of paid full-time municipal fire experience may substitute for academy attendance, with Firefighter II required within 18 months.
How do I apply to become a Cathedral City firefighter?
Complete either the FCTC process or the National Testing Network written exam, then submit a City of Cathedral City application before the posted deadline. Selection includes skills testing, a panel interview, and a final interview with the Fire Chief.
What certifications do I need?
A high school diploma or GED, valid California driver's license, CPR certificate, a State Fire Marshal-accredited Fire Academy certificate, and Firefighter I certification. Firefighter/Paramedic candidates also need a current California Paramedic license.
What does the job pay?
A recent Firefighter/Paramedic posting listed an annual salary range of roughly $84,519 to $110,632 ($28.95-$37.89/hour), plus health, dental, vision, retirement, paid leave, and tuition reimbursement.
What is the work schedule?
The department currently operates on a 48/96 schedule (48 hours on duty followed by 96 hours off).
Do you accept lateral or experienced firefighters?
Yes. Two years of paid full-time municipal fire department experience may substitute for academy attendance, though candidates must obtain Firefighter II certification within 18 months.
Is there a residency requirement?
Candidates must live within 150 miles of the city limits by the end of the 18-month probationary period.