Fire Department · Career
Pittsburgh Bureau Of Fire
Pittsburgh, PA · Allegheny County
Second largest fire department in Pennsylvania
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗The Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire (PBF) is the career department serving the City of Pittsburgh and, by agreement, neighboring communities including Wilkinsburg and Ingram. It is the second largest fire department in Pennsylvania, protecting a population of roughly 305,000 across about 55.5 square miles of dense urban and hillside terrain along the region's three rivers.
The Bureau operates about 30 fire stations staffed by roughly 670 personnel, running a large fleet of engine and truck companies backed by specialized HazMat units, river/water rescue capability, and a fireboat for the rivers. Firefighters also provide basic life support (BLS) medical response.
PBF traces its roots to the 1790s and became a fully paid professional department in 1870. Its firefighters organized the country's first firefighters' union, giving Pittsburgh the distinction of IAFF Local No. 1.
Mission"fire protection, prevention, public education, rescue and suppression"
Pittsburgh hires firefighters through a civil-service process run with the City's Department of Personnel and Civil Service Commission. Candidates file an online application during an open recruitment window, then compete on a written examination and a pass/fail physical ability examination; those who pass are ranked on an eligibility list by final score.
Candidates near the top of the list receive conditional offers, complete a medical examination and background investigation, and are appointed to the Training Academy. Preference points are available for veterans (10), Pittsburgh Public Schools graduates (5), and city residents of at least one year (3).
Requirements
- At least 18 years of age at the time of filing the application
- Reside within 60 minutes' driving time of the downtown City-County Building prior to and throughout employment
- Valid Pennsylvania Class C Motor Vehicle Operator's License
- Obtain and maintain the Fire Bureau Driver's Certification of Emergency Apparatus
- Obtain and maintain a Pennsylvania EMT certificate
- Pass the written examination and the physical ability examination
- Pass a medical examination and background investigation
Hiring process
- File the online application with the Department of Personnel and Civil Service Commission during an open recruitment
- Take and pass the Civil Service written examination
- Attend the optional (recommended) physical ability pre-test training at the Pittsburgh Police & Fire Training Academy
- Pass the pass/fail physical ability examination
- Placement on the eligibility list in final score order
- Receive a conditional offer and pass the medical examination
- Appointment to the Training Academy
Benefits
Benefits include health, life, dental, and vision insurance, paid vacation and holidays, a pension plan, a voluntary deferred compensation program, a uniform allowance, and promotional opportunities.
Training is conducted at the Pittsburgh Police & Fire Training Academy, 1395 Washington Boulevard; recruits are paid during the academy.
What are the basic requirements to become a Pittsburgh firefighter?
You must be at least 18 at the time you apply, hold a valid Pennsylvania Class C driver's license, and live (or come to live) within 60 minutes' driving time of the downtown City-County Building. You must also obtain and maintain a Pennsylvania EMT certificate and the Fire Bureau's emergency apparatus driver certification.
How much does a Pittsburgh firefighter earn?
Recruits are paid $195.04 per day while in the Training Academy, and the first-year firefighter salary is $50,712 per year, plus benefits.
What is the hiring process?
It is a civil-service process: file an online application during an open recruitment, pass a written examination and a pass/fail physical ability examination, get ranked on the eligibility list by score, then complete a conditional-offer medical exam and background check before being appointed to the academy.
Is there a residency requirement?
Yes. You must be, or become, a resident of an area of Pennsylvania within 60 minutes' driving time of the downtown City-County Building before employment, and remain within that radius throughout your employment.
Do veterans or city residents get any hiring preference?
Yes. Preference points are added to passing scores: 10 points for veterans, 5 for Pittsburgh Public Schools graduates, and 3 for city residents of at least one year. Only the highest qualifying category is applied.
Where is the training academy?
Training and the physical ability testing are held at the Pittsburgh Police & Fire Training Academy at 1395 Washington Boulevard.