Watch

Fire Department · Career

Menlo Park Fire Protection District

Menlo Park, CA · San Mateo County

Address
170 MIDDLEFIELD RD, Menlo Park, CA, 94025
10Stations
151Personnel
30 sq miArea
90,000Population

Active openings

No active openings right now

Watch this department to be notified when Menlo Park Fire Protection District is hiring, or check their careers page.

Department careers page ↗

About Menlo Park Fire Protection District

Menlo Park Fire Protection District is an independent California special district governed by a five-member Board of Directors, with over a century of history serving the mid-Peninsula. The district covers roughly 30 square miles and about 90,000 residents across Menlo Park, Atherton, East Palo Alto, and nearby unincorporated San Mateo County, operating out of seven fire stations staffed by career firefighter-paramedics.

The district is organized into Operations, Support Services, Fire Prevention, and Administration divisions, and it sponsors California Task Force 3 (CA-TF3), one of the state's Urban Search and Rescue teams, giving it a technical-rescue mission beyond routine structural fire and EMS response. Each engine company is staffed with a Fire Captain, Fire Engineer, and Firefighter/Paramedic, reflecting the district's all-paramedic engine company model.

MissionTo protect and preserve life and property from the impact of fire, disaster, injury and illness.

How to get hired

The district hires firefighter/paramedics and EMT-level firefighters directly, publishing openings and a visual 'Firefighter Roadmap' through GovernmentJobs.com, and offers Explorer and Cadet programs as pathways into the fire service.

PayEMT-level firefighters: $123,041–$149,557 annually; Firefighter/Paramedics: $132,415–$160,952 annually
Schedule48 hours on, 96 hours off, with six paid 48-hour shifts annually

Requirements

  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Class C or higher U.S. driver's license (California license required by hire date)
  • EMT or Paramedic license (National Registry or California)
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate
  • Valid CPAT physical agility test score
  • Passing score on written exam

Benefits

Family health coverage up to $2,983.91/month, a defined CalPERS pension, retiree medical funds, and continuing education funding.

Leadership & hiring contacts

Mark Lorenzen
Fire Chief
Dan Coyle
Deputy Fire Chief
Todd Ellis
Division Chief, Training
Ehren MacDonald
Division Chief, Operations
Francine Hunt
Administrative Services Director
Kristin MacDonald
Human Resources Manager
Corey Lee
Senior Human Resources Analyst

Frequently asked questions

What areas does Menlo Park Fire Protection District serve?

The district covers about 30 square miles and 90,000 residents across Menlo Park, Atherton, East Palo Alto, and unincorporated areas of San Mateo County.

What is the minimum requirement to apply as a firefighter?

Candidates need a high school diploma or equivalent, a Class C or higher driver's license, an EMT or Paramedic license, a BLS certificate, a valid CPAT score, and a passing written exam score.

What schedule do firefighters work?

Firefighters work a 48-hours-on, 96-hours-off rotation, with six paid 48-hour shifts each year.

Does the district do more than fire and EMS response?

Yes — the district sponsors California Task Force 3 (CA-TF3), a state Urban Search and Rescue team.

Are there pathways into the department for young people?

The district offers Explorer and Cadet programs as entry pathways into the fire service.