Fire Department · Career
City of Maricopa Fire Department
Maricopa, AZ · Pinal County
Four stations operating three engines and one ladder company (per department history).
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗MFMD traces its roots to 1976, when the Pinal County Board of Supervisors formed the Maricopa Volunteer Fire District to serve a 46-square-mile area around the community. A single volunteer station sufficed until Maricopa's housing boom began in 2001, prompting the district to convert to a career, full-time department on March 5, 2005. After the City of Maricopa incorporated in 2003 and voters passed a public safety property tax in 2006, the city absorbed the fire district on July 1, 2007, bringing it under municipal government.
Today MFMD runs four stations with three engines and one ladder company, handling roughly 4,500 emergency incidents a year across fire suppression, fire prevention and education, and premier emergency medical services. The department holds an ISO Public Protection Class 2 rating and operates a modern administration building, opened in spring 2020 behind Fire Station 575, at 20340 N. Estrella Parkway.
Under Fire Chief Brad Pitassi, a Maricopa native who began as an EMT in 2003 before joining the department in 2006, MFMD emphasizes professional development, wellness, and training alongside day-to-day suppression and EMS response as the city continues its rapid growth in the Sonoran Desert south of metro Phoenix.
MissionThe City of Maricopa Fire/Medical is committed to protecting and preserving the lives and property of our community through fire suppression, fire prevention/education, and premier emergency medical services.
MFMD hires Firefighter Recruits through a two-step process roughly twice a year: applying with the City of Maricopa, then testing (video interview and CPAT-adjacent assessment) through Public Safety Answers. Eligible candidates are invited to a Candidate Readiness Assessment, placed on an eligibility list, and selected to attend a regional fire academy before serving a one-year probation across MFMD's stations.
Requirements
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
- At least 18 years old at time of application
- Valid driver's license (Arizona license required by hire date)
- Ability to obtain EMT or Paramedic license before a conditional offer (EMT certification required by conditional offer)
- Valid CPAT from an IAFF/IAFC licensee within 12 months of applying
- Pass a background check
Hiring process
- Step 1: Apply with the City of Maricopa during the open recruitment window
- Step 2: Test with Public Safety Answers (video interview and assessment)
- Participate in a Candidate Readiness Assessment
- Selection to an eligibility list
- Attend a 12-16 week regional fire academy (paid)
- Serve a one-year probationary period across MFMD's fire stations
Benefits
$1,500 annual uniform allowance, paramedic pay, overtime, no-employee-cost medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, and city-paid cancer screenings.
Recruits are paid to attend a 12-16 week, full-time regional fire academy, followed by a one-year probationary period served across MFMD's fire stations.
How do I become a firefighter with MFMD?
MFMD hires Firefighter Recruits through a two-step process roughly twice a year: apply with the City of Maricopa, then test with Public Safety Answers (video interview and assessment). Eligible candidates take a Candidate Readiness Assessment, are placed on an eligibility list, and are selected to attend a paid regional fire academy followed by a one-year probation at MFMD's stations.
What are the requirements to apply to MFMD?
You must have a high school diploma or GED, be at least 18 years old at the time of application, hold a valid driver's license (Arizona license required by hire date), pass a background check, and complete a valid CPAT from an IAFF/IAFC licensee within 12 months of applying. You may apply without EMT certification, but you must be EMT-certified by the conditional offer date.
Do you get paid to attend the fire academy?
Yes. Firefighter recruits are paid to attend the fire academy; current firefighter recruit pay is $59,200 yearly.
How often do MFMD firefighters work, and what is the schedule?
Firefighters work a 48-hour schedule split between 3 shifts (A-B-C), with four days off following a shift, averaging about 10 days worked per month.
Does MFMD accept out-of-state applicants?
Yes. You are not required to live in Arizona to apply, test, or work as an MFMD firefighter, though travel expenses to testing are the candidate's responsibility and a valid Arizona driver's license is required by the hire date.