Fire Department · Career
Gainesville Fire Rescue
Gainesville, FL · Alachua County
FY2025 budgeted apparatus includes 7 engines, 2 aerial towers, 1 quint, 1 ladder, 2 ARFF crash units at the airport station, 1 hazmat unit, 2 squad units, 2 district chief vehicles, and an air-and-light truck, across 9 stations (213.5 total budgeted FTEs,
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Department careers page ↗Gainesville Fire Rescue traces its roots to 1882 and has grown into a full-service, all-hazards department protecting roughly 148,000 residents across 64+ square miles of north-central Florida, home to the University of Florida. GFR operates nine stations — including a dedicated crash/rescue station at Gainesville Regional Airport — staffing engines, aerial towers, a quint and ladder, a hazmat unit, squads, and command vehicles, and responded to over 24,000 incidents in 2024. The department has held accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International since 2010 and was reaccredited through 2029, and carries an ISO Class 2 Public Protection Classification.
Beyond structural firefighting, GFR fields a Technical Rescue Team trained to NFPA 1670 technician level (including swiftwater rescue), a Hazardous Materials Team of roughly 50 technicians serving as a statewide resource, and certified Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) crews staffing the airport station around the clock. The department also runs a growing Community Health Division — Community Resource Paramedicine, a Medication Assisted Treatment program, a Gun Violence Intervention program, and fire-and-life-safety education — reflecting a broader public-health mission alongside emergency response.
In August 2024, GFR shifted its suppression staffing from a three-platoon to a four-platoon 24/72 schedule, a change other departments have since asked about. The department is represented by IAFF Local 2157 and, per its FY2025 annual report, operated with 213.5 budgeted positions, including 191 sworn firefighting personnel.
MissionTo protect and serve through community involvement, education, prevention, and rapid intervention by professionals committed to excellence.
Certified Firefighter/EMT and Firefighter/Paramedic openings are filled through the City of Gainesville's Human Resources Department and tested via the National Testing Network (FireTEAMs written exam and CPAT physical test); when no process is open, HR can add interested candidates to a notification list for the next recruitment.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- At least 18 years of age at time of employment
- Valid driver's license at time of appointment
- Valid State of Florida Firefighter II certification by start of employment
- Valid State of Florida EMT certification by start of employment
- Passing score on the FireTEAMs entry-level exam
- Passing score on the CPAT physical ability test
Hiring process
- Submit a City of Gainesville job application (Workday)
- Complete the FireTEAMs entry-level exam through National Testing Network
- Complete the CPAT physical ability test through National Testing Network
- Participate in an interview process if successful on testing and application
- Placement on an eligibility list; additional assessments may be required
Benefits
Annual step-plan and CPI-based raises, a defined benefit pension plan plus optional 457 deferred comp/Roth IRA, 80 hours starting paid vacation with increasing accrual, paid sick leave, 130 hours of paid holidays per year, six weeks paid parental leave, employer-paid health insurance, department-funded annual health/fitness assessments, department-sponsored paramedic school tuition, college tuition reimbursement, and a Retiree Health Savings plan.
The department sponsors paramedic school tuition for eligible personnel and provides in-house ARFF, technical rescue, and hazmat training/certification pipelines after hire.
Does Gainesville Fire Rescue have volunteer firefighter positions?
No. GFR does not have volunteer firefighter positions, though volunteer support roles are available; interested residents can call the department to submit a volunteer support application.
What shift schedule do GFR firefighters work?
GFR moved to a four-platoon 24/72 schedule (24 hours on duty, 72 off) in August 2024, replacing its previous three-platoon model.
Is Gainesville Fire Rescue an accredited department?
Yes. GFR is accredited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) and was reaccredited for 2024–2029; it also carries an ISO Class 2 Public Protection Classification.
How many stations does GFR operate and what area do they cover?
GFR operates 9 stations, including a dedicated Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting station at Gainesville Regional Airport, covering more than 64 square miles and about 148,000 residents, with automatic aid extending response into surrounding Alachua County.
What certifications does GFR require to be hired as a certified firefighter?
Candidates need a Florida Firefighter II certification and a Florida EMT certification by their start date, a high school diploma or GED, be at least 18, hold a valid driver's license, and pass the FireTEAMs written exam and CPAT physical test.