Fire Department · Career
Albany Fire Department And Emergency Services
Albany, NY · Albany County
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Department careers page ↗The City of Albany Fire Department was organized as a career fire department on June 1, 1867, making it one of the longer-standing municipal fire agencies in the state. Today it operates as an "All Hazards" department, meaning firefighters respond not just to structure fires but to medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, technical rescues, and maritime emergencies across the city's 27 square miles.
The department runs out of 8 firehouses spread across Albany's neighborhoods, including Arbor Hill, Pine Bush, the South End, West Hill, Delaware, Brevator, and New Scotland, with apparatus ranging from engines and aerial ladders to a Heavy Rescue and a Marine Company. It serves as the primary EMS provider for the city, running a two-tier system where Basic Life Support is delivered by engine, ladder, and heavy rescue companies while Advanced Life Support (paramedic-level) care comes from three Paramedic Rescue Companies and one Paramedic Engine Company.
Line firefighters work 24-hour shifts on a 4-platoon system, with a 24-on/72-off schedule. The department is organized under Command Staff and 2 Battalions, and members are represented by the Albany Permanent Professional Firefighters Association, described on the department's site as Albany's oldest union.
Missionto provide protection of life, property, and the environment from the effects of fire, medical emergencies, and hazards in the safest, most efficient manner possible
Albany Fire Department hires firefighters through the Albany Department of Civil Service, which offers a competitive written firefighter exam approximately every two years (subject to change based on departmental needs). An eligibility list is created from exam results, and candidates are contacted for further processing based on staffing needs. The department is also currently accepting lateral transfers, per a posted Notice of Job Opening and lateral-transfer policy.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalency diploma
- Must pass the Civil Service written firefighter exam
- Must pass the Candidate Physical Aptitude Test (CPAT)
- Background check (conducted by the Albany Police Department)
- Psychological evaluation
- Medical examination
- Candidate interview
Hiring process
- Take the Civil Service written firefighter exam
- Placement on the resulting eligibility list
- Notification to continue the hiring process based on department staffing needs
- Candidate Physical Aptitude Test (CPAT)
- Background check
- Psychological evaluation
- Medical examination
- Candidate interview
Benefits
Excellent health insurance, eligibility for retirement after 20 years of service, access to the Albany Firefighters Federal Credit Union, up to 5 weeks of paid vacation annually, and step-increase pay raises annually until reaching top grade.
Why does a fire truck come when you call for an ambulance?
The department addresses this on its Fire FAQs page as part of explaining its all-hazards, two-tier EMS response system.
Why does the Fire Department bring the fire engine just for a simple inspection?
Addressed on the department's Fire FAQs page.
Why do firefighters break out windows and cut holes in the roof during a fire?
Addressed on the department's Fire FAQs page, relating to ventilation tactics during fire suppression.