Fire Department · Career
Allen Fire Department
Allen, TX · Collin County
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Department careers page ↗Allen Fire Department traces its roots to February 18, 1953, when twenty-six volunteers organized at the Allen schoolhouse under the city's first fire chief, John D. "Jack" Holt. What began as a volunteer force answering fewer than 1,000 calls a year has grown alongside the city itself, moving to a fully professional, all-paramedic model in the 1980s and 1990s as Allen's population expanded north of Dallas.
Today the department operates six fire stations, including its LEED Platinum-certified Station 5 and the newest addition, Station 6, completed in 2024 to cover northwest Allen. Roughly 120 career firefighters now respond to nearly 10,000 calls a year, about three-quarters of them medical, reflecting the department's fully integrated fire-and-EMS delivery model.
Led by Fire Chief Jonathan Boyd along with three assistant chiefs and three division chiefs, Allen Fire Department emphasizes ongoing training, modern apparatus, and firefighter wellness alongside its emergency response, fire prevention, and community education programs.
Allen Fire Department hires firefighter/paramedics through the City of Allen's civil-service style testing process, requiring both Texas firefighter and paramedic certifications up front rather than sending recruits through a combined academy. Lateral entry is available at a higher step of the pay scale for experienced, certified applicants.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Structural Firefighter Certification
- Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) Paramedic certification/license
- Valid Class C Texas driver's license, with ability to obtain Class B within one year
- At least 18 years old
- Out-of-state applicants must provide written confirmation of reciprocity eligibility and proof of pursuing Texas certification
Hiring process
- Submit application meeting minimum qualifications
- Pass/fail written test (basic math, logic/reasoning, map reading, mechanical aptitude, reading comprehension)
- Physical Ability Test (PAT): timed ladder climb up a 75-foot aerial ladder at 72 degrees wearing a 35-lb vest, followed by a timed series of hose coupling, dragging, stair climbs, hose pulls, Kaiser machine strikes, crawling, and dummy drags
- Oral interview scored by department members to rank candidates
- Reference checks on top candidate
- Fire Chief interview
- Background screening: psychological exam, polygraph, medical exam, criminal background check, driving record review, and drug screening
Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance options; long-term disability; retirement through TMRS with city match; paid vacation, sick, and holiday leave; free recreation center access; wellness programs; CPR training; and professional development opportunities.
How do I become a firefighter with Allen Fire Department?
Applicants must already hold Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) structural firefighter certification and Texas paramedic certification before applying, then pass a written test, physical ability test, oral interview, and background screening administered through the City of Allen's hiring process.
Does Allen Fire Department hire paramedics or laterals?
Yes. Allen Fire Department requires paramedic certification for all firefighter hires and accepts lateral, experienced applicants, who may enter at a higher point on the pay scale.
What is the pay for an Allen firefighter/paramedic?
Recent postings list an annual salary range of $97,528.25 to $105,825.47, with lateral entrants eligible for the higher end of the range.
What schedule do Allen firefighters work?
Firefighters work alternating shifts of 24 hours on/72 off and 48 on/72 off, with overtime pay after 100 hours in a 14-day cycle.
How many fire stations does Allen Fire Department operate?
Allen Fire Department operates six fire stations across the city, the newest of which, Station 6, opened in 2024 to serve northwest Allen.