Fire Department · Career
Waco Fire Department
Waco, TX · McLennan County
“We exist to serve”
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Department careers page ↗The Waco Fire Department is a full-service career department serving the City of Waco in Central Texas. It responds to well over 18,000 calls for service each year, ranging from structure, vehicle, and grass/brush fires to auto extrication, water rescues, medical emergencies, and hazardous-materials incidents, and staffs roughly 14 fire stations across the city.
The department holds a Class 1 ISO Public Protection Classification, the highest rating awarded, and maintains a formal accreditation program with a deputy chief serving as accreditation manager. It participates in Regional Technical Rescue and Hazardous Materials Response Team agreements with surrounding counties and is part of the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS), deploying on statewide disasters and wildfires.
Waco firefighters also provide aircraft rescue firefighting for the region and run strong community-facing programs, including a Citizens Fire Academy, a smoke-alarm program, and the seasonal 'Cool the Heat' fan-donation effort for vulnerable residents.
MissionPromoting Safety, Protecting Life & Property Everyday-Waco Fire!
Waco is a Texas civil-service department, so entry-level firefighters are hired through a competitive Civil Service Examination followed by a physical agility test, with candidates ranked on an eligibility list. Applicants must already hold (or be able to earn within three months of the written exam) Texas Commission on Fire Protection Firefighter and Texas EMT-Basic certifications.
Applications are submitted online through the City of Waco jobs portal when a testing cycle opens. Because hiring runs on periodic civil-service exam windows rather than continuously, prospective firefighters should watch the city's employment page for the next posted exam date.
Requirements
- At least 18 years old (civil-service entry age range 18-35)
- High School Diploma or GED, plus twelve semester hours of credit from an accredited college or university
- TCFP Firefighter certification and Texas EMT-Basic (DSHS) certification at time of test, or obtainable within three months of the written exam
- Valid Texas Driver's License; Class B license required within one year of becoming a certified firefighter
- Able to read and write English
Hiring process
- Submit application online by the posted deadline
- Pass the Civil Service Examination (written)
- Complete the physical Agility Exam
- Placement/ranking on the civil-service eligibility list
Benefits
Full-time benefits include Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) with a 7% employee contribution and 2:1 city match, health, dental, and life/accidental-death insurance, long-term disability up to 60% of salary, deferred compensation options, 12 observed holidays, vacation and unlimited sick-leave accrual (with payout for up to 1,080 hours upon separation), longevity pay, bilingual pay, and full-pay workers' compensation for on-the-job injuries for up to one year.
How do I become a Waco firefighter?
Waco hires through the civil-service process: apply online during an open testing cycle, then pass the written Civil Service Examination and the physical Agility Exam, which places you on the eligibility list.
What certifications do I need to apply?
You need TCFP Firefighter certification and Texas EMT-Basic (DSHS) certification at the time of the exam, or you must be able to obtain both within three months of the written exam.
What are the basic requirements?
You must be at least 18, have a High School Diploma or GED plus twelve college semester hours, and hold a valid Texas Driver's License (Class B within one year of certification). Entry is age-capped at 35 under civil service.
What does the job pay?
The 2024 recruit posting listed a starting salary of $65,607.07, plus TMRS retirement with a 2:1 city match and extras like longevity and bilingual pay. Exact figures vary by testing cycle.
Does Waco accept lateral firefighters?
Waco is an age-capped civil-service department that hires entry-level firefighters through its exam process, so it does not run a standard lateral-transfer track.
When can I apply?
Hiring runs on periodic civil-service exam windows rather than continuously. Watch the City of Waco Fire Employment page and jobs portal for the next posted exam date.