Fire Department · Career
Compton Fire Department
Compton, CA · Los Angeles County
among the five busiest departments in California
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗The Compton Fire Department protects the City of Compton in southern Los Angeles County, roughly 15 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. It provides fire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical services to a busy, densely populated urban community.
The department operates four fire stations and a front-line fleet of nine apparatus: four engine companies, one truck company, two paramedic rescue squads, an air & light unit, and a battalion chief vehicle. Crews work three 24-hour rotating shifts.
With about 77 firefighters answering an average of 10,000 emergency calls a year, Compton ranks among the five busiest departments in California. Roughly three quarters of those calls are for emergency medical service.
Founded in 1901 as a volunteer force, the department converted to professional status in 1925 with its first paid chief and firefighters, and today is led by Fire Chief Ronerick Simpson.
Compton hires firefighters through a periodic civil-service recruitment posted on the City's GovernmentJobs careers portal. Applicants must be at least 18, hold a high school diploma or GED, a California Class C license, a current EMT or Paramedic license (Paramedic requires LA County DHS accreditation), a Health Care Provider CPR card, and a CPAT certification issued within the past year.
Selection is competitive: the first fifty qualified applicants advance to a written examination, followed by an oral examination. Each phase is weighted 50% and requires a minimum score of 70% to pass.
Requirements
- At least 18 years of age at time of application
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid California Class C driver's license
- Valid California EMT license or Paramedic license with LA County DHS accreditation
- Valid Health Care Provider CPR card
- Valid CPAT certification card issued within the past year
- Completion of a California State Fire Marshal-approved Firefighter I academy (desirable)
Hiring process
- Submit application during an open recruitment on the City's GovernmentJobs portal
- First fifty qualified applicants are invited to the written examination (weighted 50%, 70% to pass)
- Oral examination (weighted 50%, 70% to pass)
Benefits
CalPERS retirement (3% @ 50 or 2.7% @ 57 formulas), health, vision, and life insurance, City-paid full-family dental (100% of premium), a $1,500 annual uniform allowance after probation, 15 holidays including your birthday, vacation accrual of 14-26 hours per month based on tenure, and educational incentive pay up to 5%.
Completion of a California State Fire Marshal-approved Firefighter I academy is listed as a desirable qualification, not a requirement.
What are the minimum requirements to become a Compton firefighter?
You must be at least 18, have a high school diploma or GED, a California Class C license, a current EMT or Paramedic license (Paramedic requires LA County DHS accreditation), a Health Care Provider CPR card, and a CPAT card issued within the past year.
How does the hiring process work?
The first fifty qualified applicants advance to a written examination, then an oral examination. Each phase is weighted 50% and requires a minimum 70% score to pass.
What does the job pay?
The 2026 Firefighter posting listed an annual salary range of $72,910.80 to $85,501.20.
What is the schedule?
Firefighters work three 24-hour rotating shifts, averaging a 56-hour work week.
Do I need a fire academy before applying?
Completion of a California State Fire Marshal-approved Firefighter I academy is listed as a desirable qualification, not a strict requirement, but a valid EMT or Paramedic license and CPAT are required.
What benefits are offered?
Benefits include CalPERS retirement, health/vision/life insurance, City-paid full-family dental, a $1,500 uniform allowance after probation, 15 holidays, tiered vacation accrual, and up to 5% educational incentive pay.
Past postings, kept for reference. These are no longer accepting applications.