Fire Department · Career
San Francisco Fire Department
San Francisco, CA · San Francisco County
San Francisco Fire Department seeks a Fire Protection Engineer with an annual salary of $169,416. Requires a valid California driver's license and FPE license within probationary period.
San Francisco Fire Department is hiring EMTs and Paramedics with continuous applications. Salary range $85,046-$165,542 annually. Apply now for this ongoing opportunity.
San Francisco Fire Department is hiring firefighters with a salary range of $98,488-$151,918 annually. Applications are accepted continuously.
The San Francisco Fire Department has protected the city since 1866, forged through landmark disasters including the 1906 and 1989 Loma Prieta earthquakes. It provides fire suppression, prevention, emergency medical services, community paramedicine, and hazardous materials response across a dense, geographically varied peninsula.
The department serves roughly 1.5 million people over 49 square miles, responding by land or water. Its organization spans specialized divisions including an Airport Division, Special Operations (HazMat), Emergency Medical Services, Community Paramedicine, Homeland Security, Fire Prevention & Investigation, and Training.
SFFD emphasizes cultural diversity and equity, operating a dedicated Diversity, Equity and Inclusion division alongside a long tradition of urban firefighting.
MissionThe mission of the San Francisco Fire Department is to protect the lives and property of the people of San Francisco and its visitors from fires, natural disasters, accidents, hazardous materials incidents, and other causes requiring a rapid and skilled response by land or water; serve the needs of its most vulnerable residents through community paramedicine, and save lives and reduce suffering by providing emergency medical services; prevent harm through prevention services and education programs; and to provide a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination, and values health, wellness, cultural diversity, and equity.
SFFD hires along defined career pathways: H2 Firefighter, H3 Level 1 EMT, and H3 Level 2 Paramedic. Applications are submitted through the City's public-safety careers portal at careers.sf.gov, and the department runs structured recruitment cycles with fixed timelines rather than rolling openings.
The firefighter process moves from application through preliminary panel interviews, a candidate profile questionnaire, command staff interviews, a boot camp, background investigation, and medical screenings before candidates enter the fire academy. Candidates must keep an EMT certification, a valid driver's license with FCTC, and a current CPAT throughout the process.
Requirements
- Valid EMT certification (maintained through the process)
- Valid driver's license with FCTC
- Valid CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test), current until 3 months prior to the academy start date
Hiring process
- Application
- Interview prep sessions
- Preliminary panel interviews
- Candidate profile questionnaire
- Command staff interviews
- Boot camp
- Background investigation
- Medical screenings
- Academy training (Fire Academy class)
New firefighters complete a fire academy class; a recent cycle listed Class 139 beginning June 7, 2027 with graduation October 22.
What career pathways does SFFD hire for?
SFFD hires H2 Firefighters, H3 Level 1 EMTs, and H3 Level 2 Paramedics.
How do I apply to become a San Francisco firefighter?
Applications are submitted through the City's public-safety careers portal at careers.sf.gov/interest/public-safety/fire/. Fire recruitment questions can go to FireRecruitment@sfgov.org.
What must I maintain to stay eligible during the firefighter process?
Candidates must keep a valid EMT certification, a valid driver's license with FCTC, and a current CPAT (which must remain valid until three months before the academy start date).
What are the steps in the firefighter hiring process?
The process moves from application through preliminary panel interviews, a candidate profile questionnaire, command staff interviews, a boot camp, background investigation, and medical screenings before entering the fire academy.
Who do I contact about EMS (H3) recruitment?
EMT and paramedic recruitment questions go to FireEMSRecruitment@sfgov.org; general SFFD Human Resources can be reached at FireHR@sfgov.org.