Fire Department · Career
Sacramento Fire Department
Sacramento, CA · Sacramento County
The Sacramento Fire Department (SFD) protects the City of Sacramento, California's capital and one of the state's largest cities. First organized in 1850, it is among the oldest fire departments in the West and in 2026 marked 176 years of service.
SFD is a full-service, all-hazards agency. Beyond fire suppression it runs its own advanced life support EMS system with department ambulances, and it fields specialty capabilities including hazardous materials response, swift-water rescue, and technical/heavy rescue. Roughly three-quarters of its call volume is medical.
The department covers the city and additional contracted areas, staffing suppression companies with four personnel (a captain, an engineer, and two firefighters). Stations are distributed north of the American River, through the central downtown and eastern city, and across the southern neighborhoods.
Sacramento is a busy, high-volume urban system, giving new firefighters broad exposure to structure fire, EMS, rescue, and hazmat work in a diverse capital-city environment.
Sacramento hires most new firefighters through its Fire Recruit classification (EMT or Paramedic tracks). Candidates apply through the City of Sacramento's employment portal on GovernmentJobs when a recruitment is open; the department also publishes a hiring calendar for its paid and unpaid programs. Entry candidates generally need a valid EMT certification, a current CPAT card, and a passing FCTC written test score before applying.
Selected recruits are hired into the Fire Recruit role, complete the department's Fire Academy, and on graduation are advanced to the career Firefighter classification. The process includes written testing, physical ability testing, and a thorough background investigation.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Minimum age 21 by completion of the Fire Academy
- Valid California or National Registry EMT certificate (Paramedic for the paramedic track)
- Valid CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) certificate issued within the past twelve months
- Passing FCTC written test score within the past twelve months
- Valid California Class C driver license at time of appointment
- Successful completion of a thorough background investigation, including criminal history, fingerprinting, psychological evaluation, credit check, and drug-use history
Hiring process
- Apply through the City of Sacramento employment portal during an open Fire Recruit recruitment
- FCTC written examination
- Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)
- Background investigation (criminal history, fingerprinting, psychological, credit, drug-use history)
- Appointment as Fire Recruit and completion of the Sacramento Fire Department Fire Academy
- Advancement to career Firefighter classification upon academy graduation
Benefits
Firefighters are represented by Sacramento Area Firefighters, IAFF Local 522, and receive the City's negotiated benefits package including health, dental, and vision coverage, retirement, and a bi-weekly uniform allowance.
New hires enter as Fire Recruits and must complete the Sacramento Fire Department's Fire Academy before advancing to the career Firefighter classification.
What are the basic requirements to become a Sacramento firefighter?
Applicants generally need a high school diploma or GED, a valid California or National Registry EMT certificate (or Paramedic for that track), a current CPAT card issued within the past twelve months, and a passing FCTC written test score. Candidates must be at least 21 by the completion of the academy and hold a valid California Class C driver license at appointment.
How do I apply?
Applications are submitted through the City of Sacramento's employment portal when a Fire Recruit recruitment is open. The department publishes a hiring calendar covering its paid and unpaid programs so candidates can track upcoming openings.
Do I need to complete an academy?
Yes. Selected candidates are hired as Fire Recruits and must successfully complete the Sacramento Fire Department's Fire Academy. On graduation, recruits meeting the requirements are advanced to the career Firefighter classification.
What does the selection process involve?
The process includes the FCTC written test, the CPAT physical ability test, and a thorough background investigation covering criminal history, fingerprinting, a psychological evaluation, a credit check, and drug-use history.
What kinds of calls will I run in Sacramento?
Sacramento is a high-volume urban system responding to more than 100,000 calls a year, about 75% of them medical. Beyond structure fire and EMS, the department fields hazmat, swift-water rescue, and technical rescue capabilities.
Are firefighters unionized?
Yes. Sacramento firefighters are represented by Sacramento Area Firefighters, IAFF Local 522, and are covered by the City's negotiated labor agreement for the fire unit.
Past postings, kept for reference. These are no longer accepting applications.