Fire Department · Career
Boise City Fire Department
Boise, ID · Ada County
Boise Fire Department serves roughly 300,000 residents across the City of Boise, Garden City, and neighboring unincorporated areas, covering about 130 square miles. The department has been protecting the community for over 150 years.
With more than 300 union and city employees working out of 19 fire stations, Boise Fire is organized into Emergency Services, Support Services, Planning and Administration, and Emergency Management divisions.
Beyond structural firefighting and EMS, the department fields specialized teams including Hazardous Materials, Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF), Dive/water rescue, and Technical Rescue, along with a strong wildfire mitigation focus fitting Idaho's wildland-urban interface.
Boise Fire hires entry-level firefighters through a competitive, scheduled testing cycle run via NeoGov and Public Safety Answers. Candidates must hold a current National Registry or state-issued EMT Basic certification by the application date, and the process moves through a written exam, physical fitness test, oral interviews, conditional offers, onboarding, and a recruit academy at the Fire Training Center.
Applicants can earn preference points for veteran status and paramedic certification (with two-plus years of full-time paramedic experience), and paramedic candidates complete a hands-on skills evaluation before a peer review panel.
Requirements
- At least 18 years old
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid driver's license
- Current National Registry or state-issued EMT Basic certification by date of application
- Ability to meet physically demanding standards
- No felony convictions
- No visible tattoos above the collar of a standard short-sleeved t-shirt
Hiring process
- Submit application and complete written exam online (via Public Safety Answers / NeoGov)
- Physical fitness test (pass/fail) and oral interviews
- Paramedic skills evaluation before a peer review panel (paramedic candidates only)
- Conditional job offer with pre-employment screening
- Onboarding at the Fire Training Center
- Recruit academy
Conditional hires onboard at the Fire Training Center and complete a recruit academy before assignment.
What are the minimum requirements to become a Boise firefighter?
You must be at least 18, have a high school diploma or GED, hold a valid driver's license, and possess a current National Registry or state-issued EMT Basic certification by the date of application. You must also have no felony convictions and no visible tattoos above the collar of a standard short-sleeved t-shirt.
Do I need to be an EMT before applying?
Yes. A current National Registry or state-issued EMT Basic certification must be held by the application date and attached to your application; expired or missing certifications result in automatic disqualification.
How do I apply and what is the hiring process?
Apply online through Public Safety Answers / NeoGov during the open application window. The process includes a written exam, a pass/fail physical fitness test and oral interviews, a conditional job offer with pre-employment screening, onboarding at the Fire Training Center, and a recruit academy.
Can I earn extra points in the hiring process?
Yes. Veterans can earn 5-10 preference points (with a DD-214), and paramedics with a current certification and two-plus years of full-time paramedic experience can earn 5 additional points, up to a maximum of 15.
Is Boise Fire currently hiring?
Yes. The department periodically opens entry-level firefighter testing cycles; check the Join Boise Fire page for the current application window and testing dates.