Fire Department · Career
Saint Louis Fire Department
Saint Louis, MO · St. Louis (city) County
Second-oldest career fire department in the United States
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗The St. Louis Fire Department protects Missouri's city of St. Louis and, established in 1857, is described as the second-oldest career fire department in the United States. It operates as a career, civil-service department under a Fire Chief and Commissioner.
The department is organized into multiple bureaus, including Emergency Medical Services, Fire Prevention and the Fire Marshal's Office, Fire Suppression, Fire Investigation, Fire Inspections, Communications, and Support Services.
The work goes well beyond fighting fires: roughly 75% of all responses are emergency medical calls, and firefighters also handle fire-safety education, building inspections, community outreach, training, and equipment maintenance. Crews typically work as four-member teams who live and work together on shift.
Firefighter, EMT-B, paramedic, and emergency dispatcher roles with the City of St. Louis are civil-service positions, and applications are managed through the City's Personnel Department rather than the fire department directly. Candidates go through a Probationary Fire Private testing process and, once hired, complete training at the St. Louis Fire Academy.
Because the vast majority of calls are medical, EMS certification is central to the role. Prospective applicants should watch the City's job openings and the department's career pages for open testing.
Requirements
- Firefighter positions are civil-service positions filled through the City Personnel Department
- Ability to wear work apparel and protective equipment weighing approximately 45 pounds
- EMT-B or paramedic certification is central to the role (roughly 75% of calls are EMS)
Hiring process
- Apply through the City of St. Louis Personnel Department for civil-service firefighter/EMT positions
- Complete the Probationary Fire Private testing process
- Attend training at the St. Louis Fire Academy
New hires train at the St. Louis Fire Academy after the Probationary Fire Private testing process.
How do I apply to become a St. Louis firefighter?
Firefighter, EMT, and emergency dispatcher jobs are civil-service positions handled by the City of St. Louis Personnel Department. Apply and test through the Personnel Department and the fire department's career pages.
What certifications do I need?
The department hires firefighters as well as EMT-B and paramedics, and about 75% of all responses are emergency medical calls, so EMS certification is central to the job.
What is the work schedule?
Firefighters work rotating 24-hour shifts with 24 hours off between shifts, responding to calls around the clock.
Is there an academy for new hires?
Yes. Candidates go through a Probationary Fire Private testing process and train at the St. Louis Fire Academy.
What does the job involve besides firefighting?
In addition to fire suppression, firefighters handle emergency medical calls, fire-safety education, building inspections, community outreach, training, and equipment maintenance, and work in four-member crews.