Fire Department · Career
Glendale Fire Department
Glendale, CA · Los Angeles County
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Department careers page ↗Glendale Fire Department protects nearly 200,000 residents across the city's 30.6 square miles, a Los Angeles County community that sits alongside Los Angeles, Pasadena, Burbank, and Hollywood. Nine fire stations, plus dedicated training, fire-prevention, and EMS facilities, support a workforce of about 240 sworn and civilian members, with a minimum of 50 personnel on duty at any hour. The department holds a Class 1 ISO Public Protection Classification, the highest rating awarded, and answered more than 22,000 calls for service in 2024.
Every GFD engine carries at least two firefighter-paramedics, giving the department an advanced-life-support EMS delivery model built into its suppression force. Beyond structural firefighting and EMS transport, personnel can pursue additional certifications in specialties such as hazardous materials response and urban search and rescue. GFD also runs the Verdugo Fire Communications Center, a regional dispatch hub that fields calls not only for Glendale but for 14 partner agencies, alongside divisions covering fire prevention, plan check/inspections, vegetation management and brush abatement, and public education.
Guided by the motto "Courtesy & Service," GFD recruits full-time Firefighter/Paramedics through both entry-level and lateral tracks, along with Ambulance Operators and Fire Communications Operators, and runs a Fire Explorer program for young people exploring the profession. The department describes its culture as a close-knit, "Community First" organization that builds suppression schedules a year in advance around a 2-days-on/4-days-off rotation.
MissionTo protect lives and property by providing the highest level of service to the community.
GFD hires full-time Firefighter/Paramedics (entry-level recruit and lateral tracks), Ambulance Operators, and Fire Communications Operators, and also runs a Fire Explorer program for those exploring the profession. Firefighter/Paramedic Recruit candidates move through an online application, panel interview, background investigation, polygraph exam, an interview with the Fire Chief, a psychological exam, and a medical exam before being sent to the fire academy. At the time of this writing the Firefighter/Paramedic Recruit job bulletin was closed, with the department directing applicants to follow its social media accounts for the next opening.
Requirements
- Valid California Paramedic or EMT license (Paramedic preferred)
- FCTC Statewide Eligibility List (written exam and Biddle Physical Ability Test)
- Class C California driver's license
- 18 years of age or older
- High school diploma, GED, or CHSPE certificate
Hiring process
- Apply online
- Panel interview
- Background check / Personal History Statement
- Polygraph examination
- Interview with the Fire Chief
- Psychological exam
- Medical exam
- Promotion to Firefighter/Paramedic Recruit and assignment to the fire academy
Benefits
Medical and dental insurance, paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave, competitive pay, and on-the-job specialization opportunities including HazMat and Urban Search & Rescue certification; Fire Communications Operators also receive a pension.
Candidates who complete the hiring process are promoted to Firefighter/Paramedic Recruit and sent to a fire academy on behalf of the City before beginning full duty.
How many fire stations does Glendale Fire Department have?
GFD operates nine fire stations across the city's 30.6 square miles, in addition to separate facilities for training, fire prevention/plan check, EMS, and regional dispatch.
What is the Verdugo Fire Communications Center?
It is GFD's regional 911 dispatch center, handling emergency and non-emergency calls for Glendale and 14 additional partner agencies, dispatching well over 90,000 incidents a year.
What is the hiring process for a Firefighter/Paramedic Recruit?
Applicants move through an online application, panel interview, background investigation, polygraph, an interview with the Fire Chief, a psychological exam, and a medical exam before being sent to the fire academy as a recruit.
Does GFD accept lateral firefighter/paramedic transfers?
Yes, the department maintains a separate lateral Firefighter/Paramedic hiring track alongside its entry-level recruit process.