Fire & Rescue Department

Employment

The City of Clearwater is always accepting applications for future openings in the Fire Department.

Position Description and Requirements

General Firefighter work in controlling, extinguishing, and preventing fires and extensive medical service work.

Applicants applying for a Firefighter position must meet the following requirements:

• Possession of a current State of Florida Firefighter Certification and a current State of Florida Emergency Medical Technician Certification or better
• Possession of a valid driver's license
• Must be at least 18 years old
• High school graduate or equivalent
• No record of a conviction of a felony or a conviction of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude
• Able to meet and maintain departmental requirements of health, physical and mental condition
• Individuals hired as Firefighters are required to establish and/or maintain a bona fide residence in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco or Hernando County.
• Applicants must not have used any form of tobacco products for one year prior to the date of State of Florida Firefighter certification.

To be hired, applicants must complete the following steps:

1. Submit completed application (online, or via mail/fax) with valid Firefighter and EMT/Fire Medic certifications attached to Human Resources.
2. Be interviewed by the Fire Chief in accordance with Civil Service procedures.
3. Have fingerprints taken and on file.
4. Pass a medical exam, meet health standards prescribed by Florida Statutes, Chapter 4A-37.
5. Pass a drug test.

If you meet the requirements for employment, please return the application form (online, or via mail/fax) and submit all required certificates. Apply online, or mail/deliver these forms and supporting documents to:

City of Clearwater
Human Resources Department
100 South Myrtle Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 562-4870

You can also direct any inquiries regarding Fire Department or other City of Clearwater openings to the Human Resources Department.

Volunteering

Volunteer opportunities are available with the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and with the Clearwater Fire & Rescue Fire Explorers.

Physical Ability Test

Hosted by: St. Petersburg College Fire Academy

The Physical Ability Test is a series of tasks representing what firefighters do while performing in the line of duty. It is designed to give the fire department a valid method of testing the future firefighter's potential.

Applicants are required to wear long pants, and hard sole shoes or boots. Fire gloves (leather work gloves are permitted), fire coat, fire helmet and Self Contained Breathing Apparatus will be provided for the test (applicants will not breathe air from the SCBA). The test consists of five (5) tasks, and is on continuous timing. The course and time start on command of the starter and the clock does not stop until all fire tasks have been completed and the applicant crosses the finish line. The total time for all five tasks shall not exceed seven minutes. The test will be scored on a pass/fail basis.

Salary and Benefits

Starting salary for a Firefighter/EMT effective January 1st, 2007, is $35,323 and for a Firefighter/Firemedic is $42,387 annually with periodic increases, pension program with twenty-year retirement, group life and hospitalization insurance, two weeks of paid vacation after one year of continuous service, paid sick leave, nine paid holidays/year, 53 hour work week, and uniforms and equipment are furnished.

Firefighter Certification Information

For information on how to become a State of Florida Certified Firefighter contact:

• PVTI (P-TECH) at (727) 588-6009
• Hillsborough Community College at (813) 253-7201
• Pasco Hernando Community College at (727) 949-0660
• St. Petersburg College at (727) 341-4479
• Florida State Fire College at (352) 369-2800

EMT or Fire Medic Certification

For information on how to become a State of Florida Certified EMT or Paramedic:

• St. Petersburg College at (727) 341-3680
• Hillsborough Community College at (813) 253-7000
• Pasco Hernando Community College at (727) 949-0660

To Challenge Out-of-State Certification:

• Firefighters - Contact Fire College in Ocala at (352) 369-2800
• EMT/Paramedic - Contact State EMS Office in Tallahassee at (850) 245-4440