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Fire Department · Career

Carrollton Fire Rescue

Carrollton, TX · Dallas County

Address
1111 W Belt Line Rd, Carrollton, TX, 75006 6244
10Stations

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About Carrollton Fire Rescue

Carrollton Fire Rescue provides fire suppression, emergency medical services, and life-safety programs to the City of Carrollton in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The department operates eight neighborhood stations, most staffed with an engine company and a dedicated Medic (ambulance) unit; Station 2 also houses a truck company, a utility unit, and a battalion chief. Carrollton Fire Rescue holds the highest available Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating, Class 1.

The department is organized into an Operations Division, covering emergency response, EMS, and training, and a Support Services Division encompassing personnel, firefighter safety and wellness, fire prevention, the Fire Marshal's Office, emergency management, public education, and data management. Firefighters cross-train in EMS and technical rescue, and the department runs ongoing recruit, driver, fitness, and monthly in-service training programs.

Beyond emergency response, Carrollton Fire Rescue runs a Citizens Fire Academy, home fire safety inspections, car-seat installation events, juvenile firesetter intervention, and school and senior-safety education, reflecting a community risk-reduction mission alongside suppression and EMS delivery.

How to get hired

Carrollton Fire Rescue hires entry-level Firefighters through a Texas Chapter 143 civil service process. The department conducts a written civil service entrance exam approximately twice a year to build an eligibility list, followed by a physical ability test (PAT), background investigation, interviews, polygraph, psychological exam, and a medical exam before hire.

PayBase pay follows the City's civil service pay schedule (bi-weekly, 26 pay periods/year) and is supplemented by certification, education, longevity ($4/month per year of service, up to $1,200/year), and incentive pay (paramedic, shift medic, FTO).
Schedule48/96 (48 hours on shift, 96 hours off)

Requirements

  • At least 18 years old, and under 36 years old, at the date of the entrance exam (Texas Local Government Code Ch. 143)
  • Minimum 30 semester hours of college credit from an accredited college/university with a cumulative 2.5 GPA (credit hours available for EMT/Paramedic certification)
  • Basic Structural Fire Fighter Certification (TCFP) or National Registered Paramedic certification required
  • Pass the written civil service exam with a minimum score of 70
  • Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record (no more than one chargeable accident with a moving violation, no DWI/hit-and-run convictions within 3 years)
  • Pass background, credit, and criminal history checks
  • Pass physical ability, polygraph, psychological, and medical (NFPA 1582) examinations
  • Pass a pre-employment drug screen

Hiring process

  1. Register for and pass the written civil service entrance exam (min. score 70)
  2. Complete the Physical Ability Test (PAT)
  3. Background, credit, and criminal history investigation
  4. Interview process
  5. Polygraph examination
  6. Psychological examination
  7. Medical examination (NFPA 1582 standard) and drug screening
  8. Hire as a probationary firefighter; obtain a Texas Class B license within 6 months and complete fire training school/EMT-Paramedic training if not already certified

Benefits

48/96 shift schedule; city-matched retirement through the Texas Municipal Retirement System (7% employee / 14% city match); healthcare coverage starting the first day of employment plus a city-funded HRA; free wellness clinic with behavioral health counseling; free life and disability coverage; paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave; employee discounts. Incentive pay stacks on base pay: paramedic pay ($150-250/month), shift medic pay ($50/shift), FTO pay ($200/month), education pay ($50/month per degree level), and certification pay ($50/month per TCFP certification level, up to $150/month for Master).

New hires who are not already certified/certifiable by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection attend a fire training academy as probationary firefighters, plus EMT/Paramedic training as needed; probationary firefighters must also pass a written exam (min. score 70) at the end of the probationary period.

Leadership & hiring contacts

Michael Thomson
Fire Chief
Derek Chaky
Assistant Fire Chief, Operations Division
Herbert Cavenaugh
Assistant Fire Chief / Fire Marshal, Support Services Division
Matthew Graham
Battalion Chief, Personnel
Jeremy Perison
Battalion Chief, Training Officer

Frequently asked questions

How often does Carrollton Fire Rescue hold its firefighter entrance exam?

Carrollton Fire Rescue conducts a Civil Service entrance exam approximately twice a year to establish an eligibility list for Fire Recruit positions.

What schedule do Carrollton firefighters work?

Carrollton Fire Rescue firefighters work a 48/96 schedule: 48 hours on shift followed by 96 hours off.

What are the age requirements to apply?

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and may not be certified as eligible for a beginning position if they are 36 years of age or older, per Texas Local Government Code Chapter 143.

What education is required to apply?

Candidates need a minimum of 30 semester hours of college credit (2.5 GPA minimum) from an accredited college or university, or equivalent credit hours through EMT/Paramedic certification, plus Basic Structural Fire Fighter Certification or National Registered Paramedic certification.