Fire Department · Career
Toledo Fire Department
Toledo, OH · Lucas County
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Department careers page ↗Toledo Fire & Rescue Department serves Ohio's Glass City, protecting the community through emergency response, fire prevention, code enforcement, and disaster planning. The department answers more than 60,000 emergency calls annually.
Beyond structural firefighting, TFRD handles hazardous materials incidents, water rescue, confined space rescue, technical rescue, and homeland security missions, making it a full-spectrum urban fire service.
The department maintains a network of fire stations across the city and operates specialized bureaus for fire prevention and fire investigation. Toledo's firefighting heritage is also preserved at the Toledo Firefighters Museum.
MissionToledo Fire & Rescue Department protects the community from fire and other emergencies through education, fire prevention code enforcement, emergency disaster planning, and the response of highly-trained personnel.
Toledo Fire & Rescue hires firefighters through a competitive civil-service process that runs roughly a full calendar year from application to academy start. Applicants must be at least 18 by the academy start date and under 40 as of the application closing date, hold a high school diploma or GED, and have a valid driver's license by the time the academy begins.
The next application window opens August 6, 2026 at 10 a.m. and closes November 6, 2026. Candidates then take the FireTEAM written exam and the Firefighter Mile physical test, clear a background check (about four months), complete an oral interview, and undergo Fire Chief selection followed by a final Firefighter Mile and medical exam before entering the six-month academy. Applications are submitted online through the Government Jobs website.
Requirements
- At least 18 years old by the Academy start date
- Under 40 years old as of the application closing date
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid driver's license by the Academy start date
Hiring process
- Submit application online (next window opens Aug 6, 2026; closes Nov 6, 2026)
- FireTEAM written exam (Math, Reading, Mechanical, Human Relations)
- Firefighter Mile physical test (10 timed events; two attempts allowed)
- Background check (approximately 4 months; appeal process available)
- Oral interview
- Fire Chief selection
- HR phone call to notify selected candidates
- Final Firefighter Mile and medical exam
Benefits
The department advertises competitive pay, excellent benefits, state-of-the-art equipment, and continuous opportunities for growth and advancement. Specific figures are not published on the recruitment site.
Recruit academy lasts approximately 6 months. The overall process runs about a full calendar year from application to academy start.
What are the basic requirements to become a Toledo firefighter?
You must be at least 18 by the academy start date and under 40 as of the application closing date, hold a high school diploma or GED, and have a valid driver's license by the time the academy begins.
When can I apply?
The next application window opens August 6, 2026 at 10 a.m. and closes November 6, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Applications are submitted online through the Government Jobs website.
What does the hiring process involve?
After applying, candidates take the FireTEAM written exam and the Firefighter Mile physical test, clear a background check (about four months), complete an oral interview, go through Fire Chief selection, receive an HR notification call, and finish with a final Firefighter Mile and medical exam.
What is the FireTEAM written exam?
It is a written test covering Math, Reading, Mechanical, and Human Relations, each with its own passing threshold.
How long is the academy and overall timeline?
The recruit academy is about six months, and the full process typically takes roughly a calendar year from application to academy start.
Who do I contact with recruitment questions?
General recruitment questions can go to tfrd.hires@toledo.oh.gov; candidate-specific issues can be directed to silvia.fofrich@toledo.oh.gov.