Firefighter Recruit

Provides services such as fire protection, prevention, public education, rescue and suppression within the City of Pittsburgh to reduce injury and loss of life or property due to man-made or natural causes. Performs EMT responsibilities to provide pre-hospital emergency medical care to patients in a variety of emergency situations.

Department:  Public Safety, Bureau of Fire

Salary:  $195.04 per day while in Training Academy.  

              $50,712 per year, Firefighter First Year.

Posting Type:  Announcement

Union:  Pittsburgh Firefighters Local No. 1

Benefits:  Health and Life Insurance, Dental, Vision, Paid Vacation and Holidays, Pension Plan, Voluntary Deferred Compensation Program, Uniform Allowance, Promotional Opportunities.  (Benefits may be modified based on collective bargaining unit terms.)General Application Requirements:

You must submit, show proof of, or attest to all of the following at the time of filing your online application (unless otherwise indicated below) or your application may be disqualified.

• Completed online City of Pittsburgh Application for this position including your online Employment Profile Data and Supplemental Form questions. (Education and Work Experience).

• Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of filing application.

• Applicants must be or become residents of an area of Pennsylvania within 60 minutes of driving time with normal driving conditions from the downtown City-County Building prior to employment and remain a resident within the 60 minute radius throughout employment.

• Click here to view a map.  

• A current, valid Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Operator's License (Class C) must be presented at the time of filing application or prior to the start of employment processing.  A valid PA driver's license must be maintained throughout employment.

• Must obtain and maintain throughout employment the Department of Public Safety, Fire Bureau-Driver's Certification of Emergency Apparatus.

• Must obtain and maintain throughout employment the Pennsylvania Emergency Medical Technician Certificate.

• Preference Points documentation, if applicable, must be submitted at time of filing application or no later than your Physical Ability Examination date.

• Review the Veteran's Preference, CTE/ERT Preference, and the City of Pittsburgh Residency Preference sections below. Any inaccurate/incomplete documentation or untimely documentation submitted will not be considered when awarding Preference Points.

• Applicants will be awarded preference points, if eligible, for their highest qualifying category. Points will not be awarded for more than one category.

• Applicants must comply with the City of Pittsburgh's COVID-19 vaccination mandate.

NOTE:  The City of Pittsburgh, as a matter of policy, conducts pre-employment and promotional background investigations on all candidates being considered for positions.  The background investigation includes but is not limited to criminal background, driver's license and City of Pittsburgh real estate tax payments.  Candidates may be disqualified from consideration for employment based on the results of their background investigation (as it relates to the job for which the applicant is being considered).

Criminal History:

Conviction of a felony or serious misdemeanor is disqualifying unless applicant has been pardoned. Other behavior, which is incompatible with the duties and responsibilities of the position of Firefighter, may also be disqualifying.

NOTE: The application deadline is Monday, June 3, 2024. IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE IN FILING YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION CONTACT THE CIVIL SERVICE OFFICE, 4TH FLOOR, CITY-COUNTY BUILDING, 414 GRANT STREET, PITTSBURGH, PA 15219 BEFORE THE DEADLINE.

LISTED BELOW ARE LOCATIONS WHICH HAVE PERSONAL COMPUTERS AVAILABLE FOR YOU TO APPLY ONLINE:

• HUMAN RESOURCES & CIVIL SERVICE - (APPOINTMENT ONLY) Call: 412-255-2710 or Email: HR-Specialist@pittsburghpa.gov to schedule your appointment, 4th floor, City-County Building, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
• BLOOMFIELD-GARFIELD CORPORATION - (APPOINTMENT ONLY) 412-441-6950, 5321 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224 
• HOMEWOOD-BRUSHTON Y.W.C.A.

- 412-243-2900, 6907 Frankstown Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15208

• THE FOLLOWING NEIGHBORHOOD EMPLOYMENT CENTERS:

(Call for street address and hours of operation.)

• Brashear Association

- 412-390-3588 or 412-620-8234    

• Carnegie Library Oakland -  412-622-3133

• East Side -  412-362-8580      

• Neighborhood Employment Center (West) -  412-520-8401

• Career & Workforce Center (East) -  412-241-2811 or 412-436-0985 extension 1436

• Neighborhood Employment Center (Northside) -  412-323-1163    

Veterans' Preference:

Ten (10) Veterans' Preference points will be awarded to eligible candidates who achieve a FINAL passing score.  You must attach to this application or email to ronda.sherrill@pittsburghpa.gov your, or your spouse's (if deceased or disabled), ORIGINAL or COPY of original discharge and separation papers (DD-214 Member-4).  If you do not possess the Member-4 copy, you may submit the Member-1 copy along with a copy of your Honorable Discharge Certificate.  The initial term of active obligated service enlistment must have been completed at the time of the test to include Reservists/National Guard members, or the member must have received a final discharge from active duty, Form DD-214.  The Character of Service must be "positive."  DD-214 Member-4 must be received before the physical ability examination.

If you are unable to locate your discharge and separation papers (Form DD-214 Member-4), you must complete a "Request Pertaining to Military Records" Form (SF-180) and send it to the appropriate agency.  When received, email a copy of your DD-214 (Member 4) to ronda.sherrill@pittsburghpa.gov.  Military or National Guard reservists are eligible for veterans' preference if they have completed their initial reserve obligation.  Reservists must provide a statement of service letter from their current Reserve or National Guard commanding officer at the rank of colonel (Army, Air Force, Marine), captain (Navy or Coast Guard) or higher.  The letter can be taken or mailed to the Human Resources Department Application Counter located on the fourth floor of the City County Building, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA  15219.  The letter must include:

• Full name.

• A statement that characterizes your current service (i.e., honorable or under honorable conditions).

• Date military or National Guard reserve service began.

• Completion date of initial military reserve obligation.

• Statement if deployed in combat.

NOTE: Any applicant who is serving and was deployed, or was recalled to Federal active duty (regardless of active duty length or place of service, even if they are still within their initial term of Reserve or National Guard enlistment) who provides a DD-214 showing the active duty and a positive Character of Service, is to be awarded Veterans' Preference Points.  This does not include the DD-214 that is issued to a Reservist or Guardsman at the end of boot camp.

Pittsburgh Public School Career and Technical Education (Emergency Response Technology Program (PPS-CTE/ERT) Graduate Preference:

Five (5) points will be awarded to eligible candidates who achieve a FINAL passing score. You must provide a copy of your PPS-CTE/ERT Diploma by attaching proof to your application or submit it at the physical exam.

City of Pittsburgh Residency Preference:

Three (3) points will be awarded to eligible candidates who achieve a FINAL passing score. You must provide proof of City residency at least 1 year preceding application by attaching to your application or submit it at the physical exam.

NOTE: Applicants will be awarded preference points, if eligible, for their highest qualifying category. Points will not be awarded for more than one category.

If you meet the General Application Requirements listed above you will be sent a letter of admission for the written examination.

• Written Examination: Thursday, June 27, 2024 (afternoon/early evening) and Saturday, June 29, 2024 (morning).

• During your application process you will receive notification to select one of the two test date options provided.

• An admission letter will be emailed to you prior to the written examination date. You MUST present the admission letter to sit for the written examination.

• The position of Firefighter Recruit is a competitive position and candidates who pass both the written examination and physical ability examination will be placed on the eligibility list in final score order (from highest score to lowest score). Your final written score will include Preference Points, if applicable.

NOTE: A Pre-test Written Examination Preparation class will be offered through a third party.  Information will be provided to applicants via email at a later date. Virtual preparation sessions will be offered.

• Physical Ability Pre-test Training: The pre-test training will take place the month of August. These dates have not yet been finalized.

• Performance at the pre-test training is not recorded.

• Attending the pre-test training is not mandatory; however attendance will help ensure you are fully prepared for the actual Physical Ability Examination.

• Conducted at the Pittsburgh Police & Fire Training Academy located at 1395 Washington Boulevard.

• You can view the Pre-Test Training video at:

• Firefighter Physical Ability Exam Preparation Video

• YouTube

• Physical Ability Examination: The examination will take place the month of September. These dates have not yet been finalized.

• If you take and pass the written examination you will be scheduled for the physical ability pre-test training and subsequently physical ability examination.

• The physical ability examination is pass/fail. You must pass each of the examination events to pass the exam.

NOTE: A weighted vest will be used in place of the SCBA tank. The Victim Rescue and Forcible Entry events have changed. An updated version of this video will be available soon.

• Medical Examination:

• The medical examination will be administered to candidates who receive conditional offers of employment.

• Final appointment to the Training Academy is contingent upon successful completion of the examination.

• The medical standards include having vision corrected to at least 20/30.  In addition, candidates shall have normal depth and color perception, and must be free of any significant visual abnormality.

• Attends roll call at shift change and ascertains appropriate information from off-going shift, and makes appropriate preparations for work shift.

• Receives incoming alarms and information, answers phones, and monitors access to the station house.

• Reviews plans in order to identify hydrant locations, exposures, hazardous materials, and other areas or situations of high risk.

• Participates in training drills and classes to enhance job-related skills and abilities.  Reads internal memos and bulletins to keep apprised of new developments in Bureau operations and procedures.  Participates in continuing education for both fire and medical related disciplines.

• Performs various tasks occurring between receiving alarm and initial fire fighting or emergency activities.

• Performs various tasks associated with driving and operating an apparatus, as either primary or acting driver, or as an assistant to the primary driver.

• Connects or hooks up engine to water supply and operates pumps to supply water with the appropriate pressure and volume.

• Stabilizes ladder trucks and elevates and operates aerial ladders and platforms in order to rescue victims, provide access for ventilation, operate master stream devices, etc.

• Extricates victims from vehicles, aircraft, confined spaces, cave-ins, collapsed buildings, or other entrapments in order to save lives.

• Performs EMT responsibilities to provide pre-hospital emergency medical care to patients in a variety of emergency situations.  Patient care responsibilities of the EMT include, but are not limited to: maintaining a patent airway and ensuring adequate breathing and circulation; performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); using an automated external defibrillator (AED) to defibrillate patients in cardiac arrest; controlling severe bleeding; and immobilizing patients with suspected spinal cord injuries or fractures.

• Advances hoseline or uses extinguisher to deliver water, foam, and other extinguishing agents to emergency scene.

• Climbs and descends ladders, stairs, and fire escapes; carries, sets up, and raises ground and roof ladders to perform search, rescue, ventilation, and other operations.

• Pries open, cuts, or removes doors/walls/windows in a safe manner or otherwise enters structures, vehicles, aircraft, or other entrapments (using appropriate tools) in order to search for and rescue victims and provide access to the emergency scene.

• Opens or breaks windows, chops or cuts holes in roofs, breaches walls or doors, and hangs fans in windows or doors to systematically remove heat, smoke, and/or gas from structures or entrapments.

• Searches assigned area in order to locate victims and to obtain further information about incident, following standard search procedures.

• Assists, hoists, carries, or drags victims or downed firefighters from emergency area by means of interior access (stairs, hallways, etc.) or, if necessary, by ladders, fire escapes, platforms, or other means of escape -- using rescue harnesses, ropes, backboards, and other equipment.

• Moves and covers furniture, appliances, merchandise, and other property; stabilizes damaged structural components; and redirects/cleans up water in order to minimize secondary property damage.

• Opens up walls and ceilings, cuts or pulls up floors, and moves or turns over debris in order to check for hidden fires or hot embers to prevent rekindling or spreading.

• Picks up and returns equipment to apparatus and rolls up or folds up hoseline, so that the company can go back in service.

• Communicates while en route to and at the emergency scene to ensure appropriate coordination of apparatus and personnel.  This also includes observing, collecting, and relaying information to officer for incident scene evaluation.

• Secures scene and relays relevant information to Fire Investigator/ Marshal.

• Engages in activities which have an impact on the Bureau's image in the community.  Such activities include providing assistance, education, and support to civilians seeking help or information, and giving presentations to community groups and other members of the public.

• Checks, cleans, and maintains equipment carried on the apparatus, and personal gear and equipment, to ensure proper and safe operation.

• Checks, cleans, and maintains apparatus to ensure proper and safe operation.

• Checks, cleans, and maintains house facilities.  This includes the performance of routine housekeeping chores.

• May act as Fire Lieutenant or Fire Captain in their absence as assigned.

• Performs other related tasks and duties that are assigned or required.

Note:  The Department of Human Resources & Civil Service maintains a comprehensive list of tasks associated with each of the above duties.