Fire Department · Career
National City Fire Department
National City, CA · San Diego County
The National City Fire Department (NCFD) provides fire suppression, emergency medical care, rescue, fire prevention, and public education to a diverse community of roughly 63,000 residents packed into about nine square miles. Because National City is a working port and military hub, its daytime population swells past 100,000, and the department also covers the Lower Sweetwater Fire Protection District, the Port of San Diego, and Naval Base San Diego.
Operations run out of three stations: Station 34 (headquarters), Station 31, and Station 33, a smaller squad house. The fleet is built around paramedic assessment units, two engines, a truck, and a squad, with AMR handling ambulance transport. Station 34 includes a five-story training tower with live-burn capability, a drill yard, and a large underground water supply for training.
The department is small enough that firefighters work across the full range of calls but busy enough to see real volume, running well over 10,000 calls for service a year. It is staffed by 42 full-time sworn personnel with 14 on-duty each day.
NCFD traces its roots to an 1887 volunteer firemen's club and became a fully paid municipal department in 1935.
National City hires entry-level firefighters through California's Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC): candidates must hold a current FCTC written-exam score and CPAT card and be on the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List before applying. Applications are submitted online through GovernmentJobs.com when a recruitment opens, and are screened on education, experience, training, and FCTC list placement.
Strong applicants advance through a screening interview and a Fire Chief's interview to reach the hiring eligibility list, then complete a background investigation (fingerprinting, CVSA, and medical exam) before a job offer and the Recruit Fire Academy. A California Paramedic License is highly desirable and earns an extra 15% incentive pay. The department maintains an FCTC interest card so candidates can be notified of upcoming openings.
Requirements
- At least 18 years of age at time of application
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
- Current valid EMT certificate (California or state-approved) with a County of San Diego EMT System ID card
- Current Basic Life Support (CPR) certification
- Current valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) card (within 1 year)
- Current placement on the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List
- Passing FCTC written exam score of at least 70% (valid within 1 year)
- Valid California Class C driver's license required at time of appointment
- California Paramedic License (EMT-P) highly desirable (adds 15% incentive pay)
- Completion of an accredited Firefighter I Academy highly desirable
Hiring process
- Get prepared: obtain a current CPAT card, take the FCTC written exam, and subscribe to the FCTC interest card
- Pass the FCTC written examination (score valid 12 months)
- Submit an application online through GovernmentJobs.com with required certifications attached
- Application screening and evaluation based on education, experience, training, and FCTC list placement
- Interviews: initial screening interview followed by a Fire Chief's interview for eligibility-list placement
- Background investigation, including fingerprinting, computer voice stress analysis (CVSA), and medical examination
- Job offer and attendance at the Recruit Fire Academy
Benefits
Firefighters certified as paramedics (EMT-P) receive an additional 15% incentive pay. Full salary and benefits are governed by the Firefighters' Association Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
New hires attend the NCFD Recruit Fire Academy. Completion of the National City Fire Academy exempts a candidate from the FCTC/CPAT requirements.
What are the minimum requirements to become a National City firefighter?
You must be at least 18, hold a high school diploma or GED, have a current California EMT certificate with a San Diego County EMT ID card and BLS/CPR, hold a current CPAT card, and be on the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List. A valid California Class C driver's license is required at appointment.
How do I apply?
National City hires from the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List. Take the FCTC written exam and CPAT, get on the list, then apply online through GovernmentJobs.com when a firefighter recruitment opens. Subscribe to the FCTC interest card to be notified of openings.
How much do firefighters earn?
The 2025 firefighter posting listed a base range of about $6,832.71-$8,720.47 per month ($39.42-$50.31/hour). Firefighters who maintain a valid paramedic (EMT-P) certification receive an additional 15% incentive pay.
Do I need to be a paramedic?
No. An EMT certificate is required to apply, but a California Paramedic License (EMT-P) is highly desirable and earns an extra 15% incentive pay.
Does National City accept lateral firefighters?
Yes. Lateral hires who hold a current paramedic certification can be assigned to paramedic duty after completing department-approved certification.
What does the hiring process look like after I apply?
Applications are screened on education, experience, training, and FCTC standing. Top candidates go through a screening interview and a Fire Chief's interview, then a background investigation (fingerprinting, CVSA, medical exam) before a job offer and the Recruit Fire Academy.