Fire Department · Career
Monterey Fire Department
Monterey, CA · Monterey County
As of 2024: 90 paid personnel plus 3 part-time Fire Inspectors across 6 stations. The department's own leadership describes the role as overseeing "over 100 employees." Resident population served is about 30,000, but fire-service contracts and tourism pus
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Department careers page ↗Monterey Fire Department traces its roots to 1882, when a group of citizens formed a volunteer bucket-and-hose-cart brigade to protect the growing coastal town; the department was formally chartered by the City in 1890 under Chief William E. Parker, who went on to serve for 50 years and is remembered as one of the longest-tenured fire chiefs in the nation. The department's early decades were shaped by the risks of a working waterfront, including a series of destructive Cannery Row and oil-tank fires in the 1920s and 1930s, before Monterey's economy shifted toward tourism.
Today MFD operates six fire stations and, through mutual-aid and service contracts, protects far more than the city's roughly 30,000 residents — extending coverage to Pacific Grove, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Sand City, the Naval Postgraduate School and La Mesa Village, and Monterey Regional Airport, for a combined service population that exceeds 100,000 with seasonal tourism. Crews work a 3-platoon, 48/96 schedule with 24 personnel on shift (22 minimum staffing), running a mixed fleet of type 1 and type 3 engines, an aerial tiller truck, command vehicles, a fireboat, an Urban Search & Rescue truck and trailer, and dedicated Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) apparatus for the airport.
Beyond structural firefighting and EMS, MFD maintains specialized capability in marine/water rescue with its own 34-foot fireboat operated alongside the U.S. Coast Guard and State Parks, participates in the county's multi-hazard Urban Search & Rescue team, staffs FAA-regulated ARFF operations at Monterey Regional Airport, and runs community wildfire-readiness, defensible-space, and CERT programs given the area's wildland-urban interface exposure.
Firefighting positions are hired through the City of Monterey's centralized recruitment process on GovernmentJobs.com, alongside all other city departments. The City describes its hiring approach as designed to identify the most qualified candidates through a structured, multi-step process, and encourages applicants to sign up for Job Interest Cards to be notified when fire positions open.
Hiring process
- Application Process — apply online through Government Jobs from the job flyer; build a candidate profile with resume, certifications/licenses, work history, special skills, education, and references.
- Application Screening — HR reviews applications against the minimum qualifications (education, experience, certifications) listed in the job posting and job description.
- Testing & Examinations — some positions require a written test and/or hands-on skills assessment; most require a structured oral board interview conducted by a panel.
- Eligible List & Department Interviews — candidates who pass all phases are ranked on an eligible list (active up to 12 months); top-ranked candidates interview with the hiring department.
- Pre-Employment — selected candidates complete reference checks and a Live Scan fingerprint background check, and, depending on the position, a physical exam with drug screen and federal background check.
Benefits
The City advertises competitive salaries, flexible benefit plans, robust retirement packages, and employee wellness programs as part of working for the City of Monterey.
What cities does Monterey Fire Department serve?
MFD provides fire protection and emergency services to Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Sand City, as well as the Naval Postgraduate School and La Mesa Village and Monterey Regional Airport.
How many fire stations does Monterey Fire Department operate?
MFD operates 6 fire stations: three in Monterey, one in Pacific Grove, one in Carmel-by-the-Sea, and one at Monterey Regional Airport.
Does Monterey Fire Department provide water/marine rescue?
Yes. MFD operates a 34-foot aluminum fireboat and works with the U.S. Coast Guard and State Parks to protect the city's wharves and harbor, home to nearly 600 boats.
What shift schedule do Monterey firefighters work?
The department runs a 3-platoon system on a 48/96 schedule, staffing 24 personnel per shift with a minimum of 22.
How do I apply for a job with Monterey Fire Department?
Applications are submitted through the City of Monterey's Government Jobs portal; applicants can also sign up for Job Interest Cards to be notified when fire positions open.