Fire Department · Career
Oceanside Fire Department
Oceanside, CA · San Diego County
The Oceanside Fire Department serves the City of Oceanside, a beach community on the northern San Diego County coast. Its eight firehouses are positioned to put a station in every neighborhood across the city's roughly 41 square miles, protecting more than 180,000 residents and visitors around the clock.
What began in 1939 with two paid firefighters and a single 40-horsepower engine has grown into a department of roughly 128 employees. Daily deployment includes six engine companies, two quint ladder trucks, four Advanced Life Support paramedic ambulances, and a Duty Battalion Chief.
As an oceanfront city, Oceanside pairs traditional fire and EMS response with lifeguard and water-rescue services, and runs a Community Risk Reduction program alongside operations. The department transports its own patients via ALS and BLS ambulances.
Recruiting, testing, and hiring for the department are handled by the City of Oceanside Human Resources Department, with applications submitted through the city's GovernmentJobs portal. The primary entry path is Firefighter/Paramedic Recruit, and the city accepts applications on a continuous basis to build an eligibility list for current and future vacancies. Lateral Firefighter/Paramedic recruitment has also been open.
Candidates need paramedic licensure plus fire academy credentials before applying, and must pass a current physical ability test (CPAT, Biddle, or academy PAT). Selected recruits complete the Oceanside Fire Academy, after which they must hold San Diego County EMT-P accreditation.
Requirements
- Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade
- Graduation from a California State Accredited Fire Academy or California Firefighter I Certification (current academy enrollment with a qualifying graduation date may be accepted)
- State of California EMT-P (paramedic) license or National Registry EMT-P certificate
- Current County of San Diego EMT-P accreditation (must be obtained before completing the Oceanside Fire Academy)
- Current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider or American Red Cross CPR card
- Successful physical ability test (CPAT, Biddle, or Fire Academy PAT) completed within the past 12 months
- Valid California driver's license
- Ability to work shifts of up to 24 hours, including evenings, holidays, and weekends
Hiring process
- Apply through the City of Oceanside GovernmentJobs portal (applications accepted continuously)
- Meet paramedic and fire academy prerequisites and hold a valid PAT (CPAT/Biddle/academy PAT) from within the past 12 months
- Complete City of Oceanside Human Resources testing and selection process
- Attend and graduate from the Oceanside Fire Academy
- Obtain San Diego County EMT-P accreditation prior to completing the academy
Benefits
Firefighter/Paramedics (56-hour work week) earn an educational incentive of 5% of base hourly pay for holding certifications or completed task books across three eligible classes. A 3% base salary increase took effect July 2026.
New hires complete the Oceanside Fire Academy; San Diego County EMT-P accreditation must be obtained before finishing the academy.
How do I apply to become an Oceanside firefighter?
Recruiting, testing, and hiring are handled by the City of Oceanside Human Resources Department. Apply through the city's GovernmentJobs portal, where the Firefighter/Paramedic Recruit position is accepted on a continuous basis to build an eligibility list for current and future vacancies.
What certifications do I need before applying?
You need a State of California EMT-P (paramedic) license or National Registry EMT-P certificate, graduation from a California State Accredited Fire Academy or Firefighter I certification, a current CPR card (AHA Healthcare Provider or Red Cross), and a valid California driver's license. San Diego County EMT-P accreditation must be obtained before completing the Oceanside Fire Academy.
Does Oceanside hire lateral firefighters?
Yes. Lateral Firefighter/Paramedic recruitment has been open, in addition to the continuous Firefighter/Paramedic Recruit process.
What does the job pay?
Upon graduating from the Oceanside Fire Academy, a Firefighter/Paramedic (56-hour) earns $7,503-$9,578 per month ($90,036-$114,936 per year), with a 3% base increase effective July 2026. Education Incentive Pay of 5% of base hourly pay is available for those holding three eligible classes of certifications or task books.
Do I need to pass a physical ability test?
Yes. You must have successfully completed a physical ability test within the past 12 months. Accepted tests are the Fire Academy PAT, CPAT, and Biddle PAT.
What are the shifts like?
The role requires the ability to work shifts of up to 24 hours, including evenings, holidays, and weekends, and occasionally longer to ensure adequate coverage. The Firefighter/Paramedic position is based on a 56-hour work week.