Fire Department · Career
Richardson Fire Department
Richardson, TX · Dallas County
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Department careers page ↗The Richardson Fire Department runs six fire stations plus a dedicated Training Center/Emergency Operations Center, staffing three Quints, three Pumper/Engines, a 100-foot Quint/Heavy Rescue, a brush truck, and a fleet of Type 1 ambulances out of Fire Headquarters on N. Greenville Avenue. Personnel work a three-shift (A/B/C) rotation of 48 hours on, 96 hours off, and every engine and truck company is staffed with cross-trained Firefighter/Paramedics capable of delivering Advanced Life Support on medical calls in addition to fire suppression.
Beyond core suppression and EMS transport, RFD maintains specialty capability at two of its stations: Station 4 houses the department's Technical Rescue team, trained to NFPA technician level in rope, vehicle/machinery, confined space, and swift-water rescue, while Station 5 houses the Hazardous Materials response team and provides mutual aid to neighboring cities on HazMat calls. The department also fields tactical medics, an Honor Guard, and a peer support program, and has repeatedly earned the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline Gold Plus Award for its EMS care.
RFD holds a Class 1 ISO Public Protection Classification, effective since March 2014 - a rating held by only a small handful of departments nationwide - reflecting its investment in staffing, equipment, training, water supply, and emergency communications. New hires attend a fire recruit academy at the department's own Training Center and must earn or maintain Paramedic certification through the Texas Department of State Health Services alongside Texas Commission on Fire Protection certification.
MissionThe Richardson Fire Department is a dynamic organization of highly trained and dedicated professionals committed to the delivery of quality services. We provide a proactive approach to training, planning and public education. We strive to achieve a greater quality of life for our customers.
Richardson Fire Department hires Apprentice Fire Fighters through a civil service process, with openings posted as entrance exam dates become available. Candidates who pass the full civil service selection process attend a fire recruit training academy at the department's own Training Center and must pass the Texas Commission on Fire Protection Certification Exam, plus earn or maintain Paramedic certification through the Texas Department of State Health Services, since all engine and truck companies are staffed with Firefighter/Paramedics.
Requirements
- Minimum 21 years of age by date of hire
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid driver's license (with photograph)
Hiring process
- Written civil service examination
- Physical Performance Assessment
- Computer-based job match assessment
- Formal interviews
- Drug screening, polygraph, and background screening
- Medical physical examination
- Placement on hiring eligibility list ranked by written exam score
Benefits
Competitive pay, a 48/96 work schedule, lateral transfer opportunities, promotional opportunities, tuition reimbursement, education pay, Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) with 2:1 city matching, and 457 retirement programs.
Apprentice Fire Fighters attend a fire recruit training academy at the Richardson Fire Department Training Center and must pass the Texas Commission on Fire Protection Certification Exam, as well as become certified or maintain certification as a Paramedic through the Texas Department of State Health Services.
How do I become a firefighter with Richardson Fire Department?
Applicants go through a civil service process: a written examination, a physical performance assessment, a computer-based job match assessment, formal interviews, and drug, polygraph, and background screening, followed by a medical physical exam. Those who pass attend a fire recruit academy at the department's own Training Center and must earn or maintain Paramedic certification.
What are the minimum requirements to apply to RFD?
Applicants must be at least 21 years old by their date of hire, hold a high school diploma or GED, and have a valid driver's license with a photograph.
Does Richardson Fire Department accept lateral transfers or hire paramedics?
Yes. Lateral transfers are listed among the department's hiring benefits, and because every engine and truck company is staffed with Firefighter/Paramedics, new hires must become certified or maintain Paramedic certification through the Texas Department of State Health Services.
What schedule do Richardson firefighters work?
Firefighters work a three-shift (A/B/C) rotation of 48 hours on duty followed by 96 hours off, for a 56-hour average duty week effective January 2022.
What is Richardson Fire Department's ISO rating?
Richardson Fire Department holds a Class 1 ISO Public Protection Classification, effective since March 1, 2014, placing it among a small group of departments in Texas and nationwide to achieve the top rating.