Join the Fire Department

We are not currently accepting applications. 

Important Note: Applications are only available online when the Fire Department has an opening with an active job posting. Application periods vary depending on our staffing levels and needs. There are no planned dates in the year when we accept applications. 

Before you decide if it’s for you, make sure you educate yourself about life in the fire service:

• View our comprehensive presentation "Who We Are, What We Do" 
• Learn more about station life, the recruit experience and duties.
• View the shift schedule.

The starting salaries are listed below:

•  Probationary Firefighters and EMTs— $56,016 to $71,690
• Paramedics—$72,236 to $93,426

The Fire Department offers excellent benefits, including:

• Annual salary review and longevity increments
• Generous vacation and sick leave—Time off is granted on the basis of seniority. New personnel should not expect to be able to take vacation whenever they choose.
• Uniforms and personal protective equipment
• An educational assistance program
• Health, dental, vision and life insurance coverage
• Representation by a certified labor organization, the Baltimore County Professional Fire Fighters Association, Local 1311
• Excellent retirement and deferred compensation plans—EMTs, paramedics and firefighters may retire after 30 years of service and after the age of 50, or with 10 years of service at age 60.
• Opportunities for career advancement

Being a member of a volunteer fire department is not a requirement or necessary to apply or be considered for a position. Volunteering is a great opportunity to experience the training and on-scene situations that emergency service professionals undergo. If interested, check out our volunteer partners at the Baltimore County Volunteer Firefighter's Association (BCVFA).

For Probationary EMT and Firefighters

Applicants are not required to possess any certificates or certifications to apply for entry-level Probationary EMT or Firefighter positions. The required minimum qualifications are:

• Must have a high school diploma, GED or state accredited equivalent.
• Possession of a valid driver's license equivalent to a nonprovisional, noncommercial, class C driver's license with fewer than four points. (Does not have to be a Maryland license.)
• Must be at least 18 years old at time of application. There is no maximum age limit.
• Must pass a physical examination, psychological evaluation, comprehensive background examination and a drug test.
• Note: All applicants offered a position of employment will be required to sign a tobacco abstinence agreement.

For Paramedics

In addition to the requirements above, applicants for the position of Paramedic must possess one of the following certifications:

• Maryland Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic
• Maryland Cardiac Rescue Technician
• National Registry Paramedic
• National Registry Emergency Medical Technician Intermediate 99

If you have an interest in being a Paramedic but do not already have one of the above certifications, you can apply to become an EMT or Firefighter. The County has partnerships with area colleges and scholarships available to pursue ALS certification after successful completion of the academy.

Additional Information

While all sworn members must maintain certification as an EMT at minimum, EMTs and Paramedics are not required to be firefighters.

For individuals with out-of-state medical certifications, if hired, we can assist you with applying for certification reciprocity, which allows those who possess a certification/license from other states to transfer their certification/license to Maryland.

The Office of Human Resources will email a testing voucher and written exam instructions to qualified applicants once a complete application and all required documents have been received. 

The exam consists of multiple-choice questions. There are four sections to the test, including:

1. Math
2. Mechanical Aptitude
3. Reading
4. Video-Based Human Relations

A Public Safety Self-Assessment is also completed along with the written exam.

Results are pass/fail. If you pass, you will be invited to take the Physical Ability Test.

Fire Human Resources will email qualified applicants who pass the written exam an invitation to attend the Physical Ability Test (PAT) by appointment only. Applicants for Probationary EMT, Paramedic and Probationary Firefighter must complete all stations of the Physical Ability Test. 

Prepare for the PAT

The Department holds practice sessions prior to the actual test so that candidates have the best possible chance of success. To learn what to expect and assist with preparing, review the test stations and watch videos of the Physical Ability Test courses.

required FORMS

In order to participate in the PAT, you must complete the Applicant Data Form. 

Depending upon which position you are applying for, candidates must have completed one of the following forms, which must signed by a doctor. (Be sure to allow your doctor enough time to complete the form.)

• Probationary EMT Medical Authorization Form
• Probationary Firefighter Medical Authorization Form

An interview will be conducted after successfully completing the PAT:

• 15 to 20 minutes long
• Consists of a two- or three-member panel
• Includes multiple questions with different scenarios

Selections are made by the Fire Chief.

If selected, you will receive an invitation to attend a pre-hire meeting. At this meeting, Fire Department Human Resources will discuss the next phase of the hiring process and extend a Conditional Offer of Employment. Documents and instructions will be given to applicants along with a chance to ask questions about the next phase. The following must be conducted and successfully passed during this phase of the process:

• Background investigation
• Medical evaluation (including a stress test)
• Psychological evaluation
• Drug and alcohol screening

If qualified, you will receive a formal letter from the Fire Chief with your start date and salary. You must also agree to tobacco abstinence. Employees hired with the Fire Department serve a probationary period of two years. 

Benefits and Pay

While attending the Academy, you will be paid your starting salary rate beginning on your hire date. Benefits in the form of medical, dental, vision, etc., will be effective the first of the month after your enrollment date. You have 30 days from your hire date to enroll. An example timeline is below:

• Hire Date—March 15
• Enrollment Date—March 29
• Benefits Effective—April 1

About Training

Recruit training takes place at the Fire-Rescue Academy in Sparrows Point. All candidates hired and accepted to the Academy must complete all training, classes and obtain all certifications/licenses relevant to the position they were hired for. All Firefighter or EMT courses are required to graduate. Training includes: 

• 40 hours per week
  • The regularly scheduled hours are Monday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • May include nights and weekends as necessary. Holidays may also affect the regular Academy schedule.
• Daily physical fitness workouts
• Introduction to other County agencies and Fire Department divisions
• Fair practices training
• Emergency Vehicles Operations (EVO)
• Internship
  • In-station
  • Regular shifts
• Mentors assigned to all recruits

About the Facilities

Training facilities include a burn building, drill tower, flashover simulator, SCBA maze, driving simulator and EMS.

EMS and Management programs are also held at our satellite campus located at Stevenson University's Greenspring Campus (formerly Villa Julie College).

1. Upon successful completion of recruit training, a graduation ceremony will be held where you will graduate with your recruit class.
2. After graduation, you will begin your fire service career with Baltimore County. Your initial assignment will be determined by the operational needs of the department.
3. Once you report to that assignment, you may submit transfer requests to multiple stations or shifts. These requests are granted according to submission date, with departmental seniority used to prioritize requests of equal standing.