Firefighter Trainee
Job Description
Anaheim Fire & Rescue is seeking highly motivated individuals interested in pursuing a career in fire service. Firefighter Trainees are non-sworn employees participating in a 10-week academy; training to prepare for the protection of life and property through emergency operations including firefighting, medical care, hazardous materials abatement, fire prevention inspections, public education, training activities, station and equipment maintenance.
*Please note, Firefighter Trainee salary rate is only for the duration of the 10-week academy. Experienced Firefighters/Paramedics encouraged to apply
Upon successful completion of the Anaheim Fire & Rescue Recruit Academy, Firefighter Trainees will be appointed to the sworn Firefighter I classification. Newly appointed Firefighters may be eligible for a higher level/pay rate (Firefighter I/II/III, or IV) as determined by the educational incentive program. Firefighters with a paramedic license are eligible for additional pay.
For more information: Anaheim Fire Association, Article 39.2.
To view the current Firefighter I-IV pay rates CLICK HERE
Supplemental Information
IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS
Applications will be accepted until Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 5:00PM. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Applications will not be accepted after this deadline.
The selection process may include, but is not limited to a qualifications review, written exam, physical ability test, and oral interview. Tentative dates and descriptions are provided below:
- Written Exam: August 26, 2025 (no alternate dates scheduled)
- Anaheim Hosted Biddle Physical Agility Test (by invitation only): September 13 – 14, 2025
- Biddle Physical Agility Test Waiver: Biddle letter with a completion time of 8:02min or faster between the dates of August 26, 2024 - September 14, 2025 must be attached to the application or (if after July 31, 2025 emailed to jobs@anaheim.net)
- Captain’s interview: Week of September 22, 2025
- Chief's Selection Oral Interviews: Week of September 29, 2025
- Pre-employment process: October 2025 - March 2026.
- Firefighter Trainee Academy (10 weeks): March 2026 (date TBD).
Please note: Trainees who are not appointed to the classification of Firefighter I at the end of their academy will be subject to termination of their Trainee status and/or employment with the City of Anaheim.
Further selection steps include a medical examination, which includes drug/alcohol screening, polygraph examination, psychological evaluation, and background investigation. The interview with the background investigator and completion of the background investigation will include, but is not limited to, verification and evaluation of any present and/or past use of drugs, driving and employment history.
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Please review the following common disqualifiers. If any items listed pertain to you, you will be automatically disqualified in the background investigation. You may, at this time, want to screen yourself and withdraw prior to starting the recruitment process.
- Any illegal use, sales, or possession of a drug classified as an opiate (heroin, opium, etc.) or PCP.
- Any use of cocaine, methamphetamine, hallucinogens (GHB, MDMA/ecstasy, ketamine, etc.) within five years of date of application.
- Any illegal use of anabolic steroids within three years of date of application.
- A pattern or history of irresponsibility as evidenced by debt collections, civil judgments, failure to pay, late payments, etc.
- Two or more at-fault traffic collisions within three years of the date of application.
- Conviction of a hit-and run offense.
- Any driver's license suspension within five years of date of application.
- Conviction of a felony crime.
- Conviction of any misdemeanor crime within five years of application.
- Any conviction as an adult, of any misdemeanor crime involving domestic violence, sexual-related offenses or crimes against children.
- Any conviction as an adult, of a theft or larceny crime.
The following may result in disqualification and will be evaluated during the background process.
- Use of cocaine, methamphetamine, hallucinogens (GHB, MDMA/ecstasy, ketamine, etc.) previous to five years of application.
- Prior nitrous oxide use.
- Illegal use of anabolic steroids previous to three years of application.
- Illegal use of a hypodermic needle/ syringe.
- A bankruptcy within the past three years of date of application.
- More than one moving violation in the past 12 months, and/or three or more moving citations within the past three years, and/or five or more moving citations within the past five years of date of application.
Responsibilities
Essential Functions
The following functions are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed functions and/or may be required to perform additional or different functions from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
Successfully attends the Anaheim Fire & Rescue Recruit Academy, learns and demonstrates the principles and practices of the Anaheim Fire & Rescue all-risk emergency responses, and awareness of the duties, activities, and responsibilities of a Firefighter.
Receives instruction and participates in academy training and drills to learn proper firefighting techniques for all types of fires, heavy rescue techniques and extrication procedures, hazardous materials handling, emergency medical procedures/care/aid, and all-risk safety procedures.
Maintain personal physical fitness and health by participating in job related physical fitness programs and training.
Trains in the various emergency calls including structural and environmental fires, traffic collisions, hazardous material spills, rescue and salvage, and medical aid.
Train in appropriate basic EMT-1 field procedures including attaining and documenting vital signs, bandaging, splinting, lifting patients into ambulances and assisting paramedics as directed.
Follow the instructions of the Training Battalion Chief or Fire Training Company, or other supervisor as assigned, in handling various equipment, including but not limited to carrying, laying, and operating hoses, setting and climbing ladders, self-contained breathing apparatus, and operating other fire suppression equipment.
Work cooperatively with peers and supervisors; establish and maintain working relationships, exercise good judgment, tact, and diplomacy in dealing with a multitude of issues, and take appropriate action in stressful situations.
Observe and comply with City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
Job Requirements
Qualifications
Knowledge of: Modern firefighting methods and techniques; emergency medical methods and procedures; safety practices and regulations; CPR techniques; basic mathematical, fire science, and problem-solving skills; principles of fire prevention and arson investigation; various firefighter rescue and emergency medical tools and equipment; computers and related software.
Ability to: Use various firefighting rescue and emergency medical tools and equipment; take appropriate courses of action in simulated emergency exercises; effectively and safely fight fires using a variety of firefighting apparatus and equipment in a training environment; safely operate a vehicle; comply with laws, policies, and procedures; perform prolonged and arduous tasks under adverse conditions; read and interpret technical documents; understand and follow written and verbal instructions; perform strenuous physical activities; learn the geography of the City of Anaheim and surrounding areas, including the street system, hydrant locations, the layout and location of public utilities and potentially hazardous materials or substances; work cooperatively with co-workers; establish and maintain professional working relationships, exercise good judgment, tact and diplomacy in dealing with issues.
Note: Must be at least 18 years of age by date of appointment.
License/Certification Required:
- Graduation from high school or its equivalent.
- Graduation from a basic California State Fire Marshal Accredited Firefighter I Academy; and
- State of California certification as an Emergency Medical Technician I and Defibrillation; and
- American Heart Association CPR certification; and
- Possession of a valid Class “C” California Driver’s License at the time of appointment and as a condition of continued employment.
