Fire Department · Career
Cleveland Division Of Fire
Cleveland, OH · Cuyahoga County
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗The Cleveland Division of Fire provides fire suppression, emergency medical care, hazardous materials response, technical rescue, and fire investigation for the City of Cleveland. It is part of the city's Department of Public Safety.
The Division operates a network of fire stations across the city, staffed by hundreds of career firefighters and command staff. Its work extends well beyond firefighting to include medical response, arson investigation, and community fire-prevention and education programs such as Operation Save-A-Life.
Cleveland is an ISO Class 1-rated department, the highest public-protection classification, reflecting its investment in preventing and mitigating emergencies where life and property are at risk.
MissionThe mission of the Cleveland Division of Fire is to protect life, property and the environment.
Cleveland firefighters are hired through a civil-service process. Candidates apply through the city's careers portal and must pass a written examination (70% or better to be eligible), a physical agility test, a medical examination, a criminal background check, and psychological evaluations. Cleveland residents and honorably discharged veterans receive additional points.
New hires are appointed to the Fire Training Academy, where recruits earn EMT and firefighter certifications over roughly 18 weeks and are paid $16.00/hour during training. After the Academy, firefighters enter a four-year apprenticeship and reach a journeyman starting salary of $61,251.68.
Requirements
- At least 18 years old at time of testing and under 40 at time of Academy appointment
- Accredited high school diploma or GED
- U.S. citizen
- Valid Ohio driver's license
- Pass a written examination with a score of 70% or better
- Residency not required, but Cleveland residents receive additional points
- Honorably discharged veterans (with DD-214) receive additional points
Hiring process
- Written examination (reading, math, factual recall, reasoning)
- Physical agility test simulating firefighting activities
- Thorough medical examination
- Criminal history and background check
- Written psychological examinations and evaluations
Recruits complete roughly 18 weeks at the Fire Training Academy earning EMT and firefighter certifications, followed by a four-year apprenticeship program. Academy training covers firefighting, technical rescue, EMS, and hazardous materials response.
What are the basic requirements to become a Cleveland firefighter?
You must be at least 18 at the time of testing and under 40 when appointed to the Academy, be a U.S. citizen, hold an accredited high school diploma or GED, and have a valid Ohio driver's license.
How does the hiring process work?
Candidates take a written examination (needing 70% or better), then complete a physical agility test, a medical examination, a criminal background check, and psychological evaluations before appointment.
Do I have to live in Cleveland to apply?
Residency is not required, but Cleveland residents receive additional points in the selection process. Honorably discharged veterans with a DD-214 also receive extra points.
How much do Cleveland firefighters earn?
Recruits are paid $16.00/hour during the Academy. After certification, the journeyman starting salary is $61,251.68, followed by a four-year apprenticeship program.
What training will I complete?
New hires attend the Fire Training Academy for about 18 weeks, earning EMT and firefighter certifications with training in firefighting, technical rescue, EMS, and hazardous materials response.
How do I apply?
Applications are submitted through the city's careers portal at governmentjobs.com/careers/cleveland during posted filing periods.
Past postings, kept for reference. These are no longer accepting applications.