Fire Department · Career
Grand Prairie Fire Department
Grand Prairie, TX · Dallas County
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Department careers page ↗Grand Prairie Fire Department traces its roots to 1917, when it began as a volunteer organization; the city hired its first paid firefighter in 1945. The department has grown into a fully career force of roughly 239 paid members working out of ten fire stations - two double-company houses and eight single-company houses, all staffed around the clock with firefighter/paramedics.
Beyond structural firefighting, the department fields specialized teams for hazardous materials response, dive and swift-water rescue, confined space rescue, and wildland firefighting, and its ambulances - staffed with two firefighter/paramedics per unit, 24 hours a day - handle the city's emergency medical transport. In 2024 the department earned an ISO Public Protection Classification of 1, placing Grand Prairie in the top 1% of fire departments nationally for fire protection, an improvement built on the 2017 addition of Station 10, resource redeployment, and a joint training center shared with Irving.
Firefighter/paramedics work a 48-96 schedule and the department is in the process of moving to four-person engine companies. Hiring runs through a civil-service eligibility list built from periodic entrance exams rather than continuous rolling applications.
MissionThe Grand Prairie Fire Department is dedicated to promoting public safety by conducting prevention activities, emergency response, and pre-hospital care for the citizens, visitors and businesses of Grand Prairie to improve and protect the quality of life by reducing injuries and loss of property in a prompt, reliable, and courteous manner.
Grand Prairie hires Firefighter/Paramedics through a civil-service eligibility list generated by periodic entrance exams; candidates sign up to be notified ahead of the next exam and, once placed on the list, complete a Personal History Statement, physical agility test, oral review board, and background investigation before hire.
Requirements
- Between 18 and 35 years old at time of application (beginning positions)
- U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization, or a permanent resident able to read, write, and fluently speak English
- High school diploma or GED
- Must possess a Texas Paramedic License/Certificate or National Registry Paramedic License/Certificate by date of hire
- Non-user of tobacco products
- No DWI conviction within 3 years, and no more than two moving violations/accidents in the preceding 24 months, and no suspended license
- No disqualifying drug history (varies by substance and recency per department policy)
- Must pass pre-employment physical agility test
- Must pass post-employment medical and psychological examination
- Must pass background investigation and polygraph examination
Hiring process
- Sign up for notification of the next Firefighter entrance exam
- Sit for the entrance exam and be placed on the eligibility list
- Complete the Personal History Statement (due at the physical agility test)
- Pass the physical agility test
- Pass an Oral Review Board and interview with the Fire Chief
- Complete background investigation, polygraph examination, and drug test
- Pass post-employment medical and psychological examination
- Appointment as Fire Recruit
Benefits
In addition to base pay, the department offers monthly and per-shift incentive pay for paramedic certification ($200/month), ambulance duty ($40/shift), fire certifications (Intermediate $60/month, Advanced $80/month, Master $125/month), degrees (Bachelor's $125/month, Master's $150/month), Special Operations ($75/month), and foreign language proficiency ($100-$150/month), plus FLSA overtime pay (est. average $2,364/year).
What is Grand Prairie Fire Department's ISO rating?
The department holds an ISO Public Protection Classification of 1 (effective March 25, 2024), placing it in the top 1% of U.S. communities for fire protection. Its rating improved from a 75.06 (ISO 3) in 2006 to a 95.98 (ISO 1) in 2017, aided by the addition of Station 10, resource redeployment, and a joint training center in Irving.
How many fire stations does Grand Prairie have?
Ten fire stations, including two double-company stations and eight single-company stations, all staffed 24 hours a day with firefighter/paramedics.
What schedule do Grand Prairie firefighters work?
Firefighter/Paramedics work a 48-96 schedule (48 hours on duty followed by 96 hours off).
What certification do I need to apply as a firefighter?
Applicants must possess a Texas Paramedic License/Certificate or National Registry Paramedic License/Certificate by the date of hire; obtaining a paramedic license typically takes about a year.
How do I pay a Grand Prairie EMS ambulance bill?
For service dates before November 1, 2024, contact the Grand Prairie EMS Billing Office at 972-237-8395 or emsbilling@gptx.org. For dates on or after November 1, 2024, billing is handled by Emergicon at 972-602-2060.