Fire Department · Career
New Haven Fire Department
New Haven, CT · South Central Regional County
No active openings right now
Watch this department to be notified when New Haven Fire Department is hiring, or check their careers page.
Department careers page ↗The New Haven Fire Department is a full-time career agency serving the city of New Haven, Connecticut, home to Yale University and roughly 135,000 residents packed into about 20 square miles. It is one of a select group of departments nationwide to hold an ISO Class 1 rating, the highest fire-protection classification.
The department fields a workforce of more than 350 members operating from 10 fire stations across the city. Its work spans fire suppression and prevention, emergency medical service, rescue operations, emergency communications, and emergency management.
Beyond structural firefighting, New Haven maintains specialized capabilities including hazardous materials response, heavy and technical rescue, high-angle/rope and confined-space rescue, a fire boat for marine and ice-water incidents, and paramedic-level EMS. The department answers over 35,000 emergency calls annually.
Headquarters and administration are located at 952 Grand Avenue.
Missionfire suppression and prevention, emergency medical service, rescue operations, emergency communications and emergency management
New Haven hires entry-level firefighters through a competitive civil-service process; no prior firefighting experience is required. Recent openings have run through FirefighterApp.com with testing administered by the National Testing Network (NTN), including a written exam and a physical agility test (CPAT/PAT), followed by background check, medical exam, and drug screening.
Candidates must be at least 18, hold a high school diploma or GED, and possess a valid driver's license. Some postings are restricted to New Haven residents. Watch the department's recruitment page and FirefighterApp listing for the next open filing period, as recruitments are episodic.
Requirements
- At least 18 years of age at time of application
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid driver's license at time of application
- Ability to climb ladders and work at considerable heights
- Physical strength and agility to perform arduous tasks under strenuous, adverse conditions
- Some postings restricted to New Haven residents
Hiring process
- Apply online (recent postings via FirefighterApp.com)
- Complete written exam through National Testing Network (NTN)
- Pass physical agility test (CPAT or PAT)
- Background check, medical examination, and drug screening
- Final interview(s)
- Probationary period
Benefits
Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, pension/retirement plan, paid vacation and holidays, sick leave accrual, employee assistance programs, and education incentives.
Training Division led by a Director of Training with seven certified Fire Instructors.
What are the basic requirements to become a New Haven firefighter?
You must be at least 18, have a high school diploma or GED, and hold a valid driver's license. You must be able to climb ladders, work at heights, and perform physically demanding tasks under adverse conditions.
Do I need prior firefighting experience?
No. Entry-level firefighter positions require no previous firefighting experience.
How does the hiring process work?
Recent recruitments run through FirefighterApp.com with testing by the National Testing Network: a written exam, a physical agility test (CPAT/PAT), then background check, medical exam, drug screening, and interviews before a probationary period.
What does the job pay?
A recent posting listed probationary pay starting at $46,267 in the first year, rising to $52,154, then $60,071, and $85,305 by the fourth year.
What is the work schedule?
A recent posting described a rotation of 3 days of 10-hour shifts, 3 days off, then 3 nights of 14-hour shifts, followed by 3 days off.
Is there a residency requirement?
Some recruitments are open to New Haven residents only. Check the specific job posting for eligibility.