Fire Department · Career
Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Department
Costa Mesa, CA · Orange County
Budgeted for 90 full-time positions (84 sworn, 6 non-sworn); resources include six fire stations and ten front-line emergency apparatus.
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue traces its roots to 1924, when local residents and the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce raised money for a fire chemical wagon and formed a volunteer fire department. The city moved to a fully paid department in 1956, when the City Council created the paid positions of Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, Captain, Engineer and Hoseman.
Today the department is organized into three divisions — Fire Administration, Fire/Rescue/EMS Operations, and Fire Prevention/Community Risk Reduction — and is budgeted for 90 full-time positions, including 84 sworn firefighters. Six fire stations are staffed around the clock, providing paramedic-equipped engine companies and EMT-staffed ladder trucks to the community.
Beyond emergency response, the department's Fire Prevention & Community Risk Reduction Division handles public education, emergency management, life-safety plan review and inspections, and code enforcement, working alongside the operations division to reduce risk across the city.
MissionThe mission of the Costa Mesa Fire Department's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is to protect and to promote community health and safety by helping citizens prevent and prepare for sudden illness or injury, and by providing proficient and compassionate emergency medical care when sudden illness or injury occurs.
Costa Mesa hires entry-level Firefighters and Firefighter/Paramedics through the FireTeam written exam administered via the National Testing Network (NTN). Applicants transfer a qualifying FireTeam score or take the test through NTN, and those who pass are invited to submit a City application and supplemental application during a designated online filing window.
Requirements
- High school graduation or equivalent required; Associate's degree or higher desirable
- Successful completion of a Fire Academy accredited by the California State Fire Marshal's Office by the stated deadline, or current enrollment with graduation by the stated date
- Valid CPAT or Biddle physical ability certification (must meet the City's currency window)
Hiring process
- FireTeam written examination via National Testing Network
- City and supplemental application
- Physical Ability Examination (CPAT/Biddle)
- Paramedic Assessment (for Firefighter/Paramedic candidates)
- Interview Evaluation & Eligibility List
- Pre-Employment Process & Appointment
Benefits
CalPERS retirement (2%@50 Classic or 2.7%@57 PEPRA formula, with employees contributing 14% of salary pre-tax); holiday pay equivalent to 145.6 hours per year; vacation accruing from 128.8 to 296.8 hours per year based on tenure (56-hour work schedule); sick leave of 174.72 hours per year; and longevity incentive pay of 2.5%-10% for 10+ years of full-time sworn firefighting service.
Why does the fire department respond to medical emergencies?
Firefighters are first responders for all medical emergencies. The department's six strategically located fire stations provide paramedic-equipped engines and EMT/paramedic-staffed crews.
How often should I change my smoke detector batteries?
Batteries should be changed every six months — a good rule of thumb is to do it each spring and fall when clocks change.
Do fire engines run lights and sirens at night when there's less traffic?
Yes. State vehicle code requires emergency vehicles to use all lights and sirens when responding Code 3 — when life, property, or the environment is in immediate danger — regardless of the time of day.