Fire Department · Career
Cincinnati Fire Department
Cincinnati, OH · Hamilton County
“First in the Nation”
Nation's oldest fully paid professional fire department
No active openings right now
Watch this department to be notified when Cincinnati Fire Department is hiring, or check their careers page.
Department careers page ↗The Cincinnati Fire Department bills itself as "First in the Nation" — organized in 1853, it is recognized as the oldest fully paid professional fire department in the United States, having grown from an early volunteer bucket brigade into a full-time career municipal department.
The department serves more than 300,000 residents across roughly 78 square miles from a network of strategically located stations. Every firefighter is cross-trained as an Emergency Medical Technician, and the department's work spans fire suppression, EMS, hazardous materials response, technical rescue, and disaster response.
Beyond emergency response, CFD runs fire prevention, public education, smoke-alarm programs, and building inspections through bureaus covering Operations, Fire Prevention & Community Risk Reduction, Personnel & Training, Emergency Management, and Administrative Services.
MissionProtect lives and property, and minimize suffering during emergencies. Respond expeditiously to restore normalcy.
Cincinnati is a full-time career department that hires and trains its own recruits — no prior firefighting experience is required, though already-certified firefighters skip the state certification exam. Application windows generally open about every two years, so candidates are encouraged to follow the department on social media and email Fire.Recruiting@cincinnati-oh.gov for status updates.
The hiring process is competitive and can span six to eight months or more. Candidates first complete a written exam, physical ability test, and structured oral interview to reach the Civil Service eligibility list, then move on to a background investigation and physical exam before appointment and Recruit School.
Requirements
- At least 17 years old at time of application and 18 by date of appointment
- Not yet reached 41st birthday by the first day of Recruit School
- High school diploma or GED by date of appointment
- Valid driver's license by date of appointment
- U.S. citizenship or valid Permanent Resident Card at appointment
- At appointment, reside within Hamilton County, an adjacent county, or within 35 miles of CFD Headquarters (430 Central Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45202)
- Pass a background investigation (fingerprinting and possible polygraph)
- Pass a physical examination with drug screening
- Applicants with felony convictions must obtain Ohio's Certificate of Qualification for Employment and notify CFD within 30 days of the written exam
Hiring process
- Written exam
- Physical ability test
- Structured oral interview (placement on Civil Service eligibility list)
- Background investigation including fingerprinting and possible polygraph
- Physical examination with drug screening
- Appointment and Recruit School (20-24 weeks of training)
Benefits
Recruits are compensated during the 20-24 week Recruit School; outside employment is prohibited during training.
Recruit School runs 20-24 weeks, Monday through Friday, roughly 0800 to 1700. No prior experience is required; already-certified firefighters must still complete all training but skip the state certification exam.
Do I need prior firefighting experience to apply?
No. Prior experience is not required — the Cincinnati Fire Department trains recruits in its own Recruit School. Already-certified firefighters still complete all training but skip the state certification exam.
What are the basic requirements to apply?
You must be at least 17 at application (18 by appointment), not yet 41 by your first day of Recruit School, hold a high school diploma or GED and a valid driver's license by appointment, and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. At appointment you must live in Hamilton County, an adjacent county, or within 35 miles of CFD Headquarters.
How long does the hiring process take?
The full process — written exam, physical ability test, oral interview, background investigation, and physical exam — can span six to eight months or more.
How often can I apply?
Application windows generally open about every two years. Follow CFD on social media or email Fire.Recruiting@cincinnati-oh.gov to be notified when the next window opens.
How long is the academy and are recruits paid?
Recruit School lasts 20-24 weeks, Monday through Friday from about 0800 to 1700. Recruits are paid during training, and outside employment is prohibited.
Is this a full-time career department?
Yes. Cincinnati Fire Department is a full-time, career department. Non-sworn roles such as dispatch and support are posted separately through the City of Cincinnati government jobs site.