To be considered for the Entry Level Firefighter position with SMC Fire, candidates must meet the requirements below:

• High School Diploma AND/OR
• An associate degree from an Accredited College or sixty (60) semester units AND/OR
• Two (2) or more years of verifiable work experience AND/OR
• Two (2) years of active military service with an honorable discharge
• Valid California Driver’s License or equivalent upon appointment
• Valid EMT card or if a Paramedic, proof of valid Paramedic Licensure (National Registry acceptable) by date of appointment
• Current on the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) Statewide Eligibility List (SEL) as of the closure of the relevant recruitment
• A Cal-JAC CPAT card dated within the previous 12 months prior to the closure date of the relevant recruitment
• A passing score on the FCTC Written Test dated within the previous 12 months prior to the closure date of the relevant recruitment

Resources for achieving these requirements:

• College of San Mateo EMT Program

• Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC): Written Test

• Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC): CPAT Test

 

Firefighter 1 Academy:

SMC Fire can sponsor candidates through the San Mateo County/College of San Mateo Fire Academy once hired. The 18-week academy is offered twice a year, in the spring and fall. Individuals may also self-sponsor and apply directly to the academy here:

• Firefighter 1 Academy

SMC Fire partners with the San Mateo County/College of San Mateo Fire Academy by providing personnel to assist with student training, as well as access to our training tower for hands-on firefighting instruction, including water application, forcible entry, and ladder operations.