Fire Department · Career
Yonkers Fire Department
Yonkers, NY · Westchester County
18 companies, including 6 ladder companies, organized into Operations, Fire Prevention, and Personnel/Administration divisions
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗The Yonkers Fire Department (YFD) is the primary fire and emergency response agency for the City of Yonkers, operating 18 companies, including six ladder companies dedicated to structural rescue, plus a specially equipped Rescue 1 unit for heavy technical rescue work. The department is organized into three divisions — Operations, Fire Prevention, and Personnel/Administration — each led by a Deputy Chief, with one Deputy Chief on call at all times to respond to major emergencies.
Beyond structural firefighting, YFD provides pre-hospital emergency medical care through personnel trained as First Responders, EMTs, and Paramedics under a program established in the early 1990s, along with hazardous materials and CBRNE response, vehicle extrication, elevator and confined-space rescue, and response to gas leaks, downed power lines, and flooding. The department's Fire Prevention Division handles inspections, code enforcement, plans review, arson investigation, and public fire-safety education, including bilingual programming and a mobile safety trailer. YFD also participates in the NYC Region Tier-1 Urban Area Security Initiative and the Metropolitan Medical Response System, giving it access to regional mutual aid and federal preparedness funding. In December 2025, the department earned Type 1 Hazardous Materials Response Team accreditation from the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control — the highest level of hazmat response recognized in the state, and the only such accreditation held by any department in Westchester County.
Missiona versatile and forward-thinking agency dedicated to ensuring the utmost safety and well-being of the City of Yonkers
Yonkers hires firefighters through the City's Civil Service system rather than continuous rolling applications. A Firefighter Recruitment Office (based at the Riverfront Library) runs periodic open-competitive exam cycles; candidates hand-deliver a paper application with a non-refundable fee and then sit for written and physical agility exams that count equally toward a final score, followed by a medical exam and background investigation for qualified candidates. The department's most recent posted cycle had a December 2024 application deadline and a March 2025 written exam date.
Requirements
- At least 17 years 6 months old, and not yet 29, on the date of the written test (up to 7 years may be deducted from the max age for qualifying veterans)
- At least 18 years old at time of appointment
- High school diploma or equivalency credential at time of appointment
- Legal resident of Yonkers for at least 1 year immediately preceding the written exam date
- Valid New York State Class D driver's license at time of appointment
- Must pass a medical examination and background investigation
Hiring process
- Hand-deliver a completed application with the non-refundable exam fee to the Firefighter Recruitment Office
- Sit for the written examination
- Sit for the physical strength/agility examination (ladder climbing, hose pulling, equipment lifting)
- Written and physical scores are weighted equally toward a combined score
- Qualified candidates undergo a medical examination and background investigation
- Passing candidates are ranked on a civil service eligible list (valid 1-4 years) for appointment
What is the Fire Department's mailing address?
Fire Headquarters, 470 Nepperhan Avenue, 2nd Floor, Yonkers, NY 10701.
What is the Fire Department's non-emergency telephone number?
During business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm) call 914-377-7525. During non-business hours, call the city helpline at 914-377-7555. For emergencies, always call 911.
How many alarms does YFD respond to each year?
The department responds to more than 15,000 alarms annually across fire, EMS, hazmat, and other emergency calls.
What does YFD look for in firefighter candidates?
Candidates must be 17.5-29 years old at the written test date (with veteran age deductions available), at least 18 at appointment, hold a high school diploma or equivalency, have been a legal Yonkers resident for the preceding year, and hold a valid NY Class D driver's license at appointment.
Has the department received any special accreditation?
Yes — in December 2025, YFD earned Type 1 Hazardous Materials Response Team accreditation from the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, the highest hazmat response level recognized in the state and the only one held in Westchester County.