Fire Department · Career
Laredo Fire Department
Laredo, TX · Webb County
The Laredo Fire Department is a full-time career agency protecting Laredo, the seat of Webb County on the Texas-Mexico border. Staffed by roughly 380 personnel operating from more than a dozen stations, it delivers fire suppression, emergency medical services, rescue, and fire prevention across the community.
Beyond structural firefighting, the department runs its own ambulance/EMS transport service, an arson investigation unit, and a hazardous materials response program built around a team of state-certified HazMat technicians and a fully equipped HazMat unit. Its position on a major international trade corridor makes HazMat and specialized response a central part of the mission.
The department traces its roots to 1883, when the Gate City Volunteer Fire Department was organized; the City of Laredo began paying its firefighters in 1912, and the organization grew over the following century into a modern career department with a regional training academy.
MissionTo reduce and prevent the loss of life and property in the community due to fire, medical emergencies, and other natural or man-made disasters and catastrophes, through direct mitigation and community-wide prevention efforts.
Entry-level firefighters are hired through the City of Laredo civil service process. Applications are submitted online through the City's career portal (governmentjobs.com/careers/laredo), and candidates must first pass a written civil service entrance examination before advancing.
After the written exam, applicants proceed through a physical ability (agility) test, an extensive personal/work/criminal background investigation by a department hiring committee, an oral assessment before a board of fire officers and training staff, and a medical evaluation consistent with the NFPA 1582 standard. Recruitment classes are announced periodically, so prospective cadets should watch the department's channels and the City career site for open filing periods.
Requirements
- Be between 20 and 35 years of age at the time of initial application for the civil service examination (applicants 18-19 must have 30 college hours, an Associate's degree, or two years of honorable U.S. military service)
- High school diploma from an accredited school with at least a 2.0 GPA, or a high school equivalency certificate plus at least 12 completed college hours with a 2.0 GPA
- Be of good moral character and demonstrate maturity, dependability, and integrity through past and present conduct
- Meet the department's drug policy standards (including marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids, and illegal drugs)
- Pass the civil service written entrance examination and all subsequent selection phases
Hiring process
- Submit an online application through the City of Laredo career portal
- Pass the civil service written entrance examination
- Pass the Physical Ability Test (agility course)
- Complete an extensive personal, work, and criminal background investigation by the department hiring committee
- Pass an oral assessment before a board of fire service officers and training staff
- Pass a medical evaluation by a licensed physician consistent with the NFPA 1582 standard
New firefighters are trained through the department's academy; Laredo also operates a regional fire training center.
What are the age requirements to become a Laredo firefighter?
Applicants must be between 20 and 35 years of age at the time of initial application for the civil service exam. Applicants 18-19 may qualify with 30 college hours, an Associate's degree, or two years of honorable U.S. military service.
What education do I need to apply?
You need a high school diploma from an accredited school with at least a 2.0 GPA, or a high school equivalency certificate plus at least 12 completed college hours with a 2.0 GPA.
How do I apply to the Laredo Fire Department?
Applications are submitted online through the City of Laredo's career portal at governmentjobs.com/careers/laredo. You'll need an email account to create an application profile, and applications must be complete to be considered.
What does the hiring process involve?
After submitting an application, candidates take a written civil service entrance exam, then a physical ability (agility) test, a background investigation, an oral board assessment, and a medical evaluation based on the NFPA 1582 standard.
Does the department provide EMS and HazMat services?
Yes. The department operates its own EMS/ambulance transport service and maintains a hazardous materials response program with state-certified HazMat technicians and a fully equipped HazMat unit.