What it Takes to Become an Alameda Firefighter/Paramedic

It takes hard work, determination, and courage to become an Alameda Firefighter / Paramedic. Firefighter / Paramedics perform duties to prevent or limit loss of life and property in emergency situations, maintain related equipment and records; and perform related work as required, including:

1. Responding to emergency calls and performing duties necessary to prevent or limit loss of life and property in emergency situations dealing with fire, disasters, medical emergencies, water rescue, technical rescue, and hazardous materials.
2. Following directions for suppression and other activities including the laying of hose and placement of ladders, rescue, ventilation, salvage and overhaul operations.
3. Maintaining knowledge of location and operation of all equipment on all Fire Department apparatus.
4. Operating fixed and portable electrical generators, air and hydraulic equipment, and portable power equipment.
5. Performing fire prevention duties including inspections of residential, business, mercantile, educational, industrial, institutional and public assembly occupancies; may perform fire cause and origin investigations.
6. Examining and maintaining facilities, apparatus, equipment and grounds.
7. Participating in station training and drills.
8. Maintaining apparatus records and logs and prepares required reports.
9. May be assigned to duty on an engine, truck, ambulance or specialty vehicle, or to a particular division such as Prevention or Emergency Services, and performs related activities as required to support other programs.
10. May be assigned, as an instructor for department training programs, to conduct programs, demonstrations or lectures; may work in a higher classification.
11. Following department and City rules, regulations, policies and Memorandum of Understanding.

Minimum Qualifications for Entry-level Recruits

1. Possess a high school diploma or equivalent and be at least 18 years of age at time of application deadline.
2. Possess a valid State of California Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-1 or higher) Certificate or Paramedic License (EMT-P). 
3. Possess a valid Firefighter I Academy Certificate (or higher) preferred.
4. Possess a valid State of California Driver's License and satisfactory driving record as a condition of employment at the time of appointment. 
5. Possess a valid Cal-JAC Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certificate dated within 6 months of the application deadline. Information regarding the Cal-JAC CPAT can be found at https://www.fctconline.org/cpat/.
6. Successfully pass the FCTC written examination within 12 months of the application deadline.  Information regarding the FCTC written exam may be found at https://www.fctconline.org/written-testing/.

7. Physical and Mental Health - Must meet standards required to perform duties of this position.  Typically this includes: demonstrating a state of physical and mental health consistent with the ability to perform assigned duties; normal hearing or hearing corrected to normal levels; normal vision or vision corrected to 20/20 in each eye; color vision sufficient to identify color coded lights, placards, signs, maps, hydrant caps, sprinklers, etc. plus smoke and flame colors used in identifying combustibles, their location and potential; and participation in a wellness/fitness program.

The probationary period for this position is 18 months (including 18-20 week academy).