Fairfax County Fire and Rescue
Recruitment Section, 6th floor
4100 Chain Bridge Road
Fairfax, VA 22030

Telephone: (703) 246-3939

Email: fire.recruitment@fairfaxcounty.gov

Note: You will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer in order to view these files.

Department Characteristics

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is committed to providing emergency and non-emergency services to protect the lives, property, and environment of our community. Our department does this by valuing professional excellence, health and safety, diversity, teamwork and shared leadership, effective communication, integrity, community service and involvement, and innovation. These values are important to our employees as well as those we seek to hire. It is through our total commitment to these values that we strive to be the best community-focused fire and rescue department, working as a team to ensure a safe and secure environment for all those entrusted to our care.

Job Description

Individuals will provide skilled emergency and non-emergency services in a variety of areas including: fire suppression, emergency medical services, fire prevention, and public education.  Individuals will be trained and certified in both fire suppression and emergency medical services.

Recruitment’s Mission Statement

To provide the Fire and Rescue Department with a group of qualified candidates that reflect the diversity of the community we serve.  This effort shall be accomplished by consistently championing our Department and profession through an effective community outreach program.  We are committed to valuing and respecting every individual we have the opportunity to interact with.

Recruit Candidates

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department actively recruits National Registry Certified Paramedics and Virginia EMT-Intermediates for Firefighter/Paramedic positions.  We are dedicated to reflecting and respecting the diversity of our community by providing compassionate and quality service to all.  Minorities and bilingual individuals are highly encouraged to apply.

Minimum Qualifications to Submit an Application

• Have a high school Diploma or GED
• Be age 18 or older
• No driving suspensions or more than one moving violation within the last twelve months
• Drug free for the past 12 months
• Possess a valid driver's license

Note: Illegal drugs use during the last twelve months, a Driving Under The Influence (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) conviction, assigned to an alcohol safety action/driver alcohol rehabilitation program (ASAP) since January 15, 2003, and/or two or more moving traffic violations during the last twelve months will disqualify you from further consideration.

Applicant Selection Process

There is no residency requirement to apply. The selection process consists of the following steps, and takes at least 6 months to complete.

• Written exam and Candidate Physical Abilities Test Orientation Video
• Practice CPAT (Candidate Physical Abilities Test)
• Document Review and CPAT Exam
• Polygraph Evaluation
• Medical Examination
• Psychological Profile Evaluation

Frequently Asked Questions

Benefits

Application - Please do not fax the application

The Application form is available in two formats: PDF and MS Word. In order to view the PDF version, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer (see link above). The MS Word version requires that you have MS Word or another word processing product that can display MS Word documents.

Application Form- PDF format. Acrobat Reader allows you to complete the form online by typing in the blue boxes and print the form for your records. You can then mail the form to the address on the form. If you have Acrobat Professional, you can save a copy of the completed form and email the form as an attachment. For boxes that require a check mark, just click in the box and a check mark will appear.

Application Form- MS Word format Application Form - MS Word format. This form has been modified to allow for easy completion on your PC. Save it first as a Word file on your PC and then complete the form. After the document displays in your MS Word application, use the "TAB" key to move forward through the form from field to field. If you need to go back to a field, use the "Shift" key AND the "TAB" key together. For boxes requiring a check mark, use an "x" . When completed, the form can be sent as an attachment via email or print the form and mail to the address at the top of the form.

THE WRITTEN EXAM AND CPAT (Candidate Physical Abilities Test) ORIENTATION VIDEO. The written exam is administered every other month and consists 155 multiple-choice questions. The examination includes, but is not limited to reading comprehension, basic math, physics and grammar. The allotted time to complete the exam is 2.5 hours. The test will be graded on site and applicants must obtain a passing scrore of 74% or above to continue with the process. Upon passing, applicants will receive a Personal History Statement packet.
The department utilizes the National Firefighter Selection Inventory. Applicants wishing to purchase a study guide may do so by contacting the toll free number at 1-800-343-4473 or via internet at http://publicsafetyrecruitment.com.

PRACTICE CPAT (Candidate Physical Abilities Test) Applicants are highly recommended to attend practice sessions at the academy. Practice sessions are held on Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.

DOCUMENT REVIEW AND CPAT (Candidate Physical Abilities Test)The document review is conducted prior to the CPAT exam. The completed Personal History Statement and all required items must be submitted and approved before applicants can participate in the CPAT. Any inaccurate, untruthful, or misleading statement(s) in the Personal History Statement Packet will be cause from disqualification from the selection process.

Overview of CPAT with Pictures (PDF, 362K, large file)

CPAT Candidate Preparation Guide (PDF, 75.7M, large file)

THE POLYGRAPH EVALUATION is conducted by a certified polygrapher through the Fairfax County Police Department, or other certified agency. The polygraph evaluation (lie detector test) measures the accuracy of information provided during the selection process. This evaluation can take up to four hours to complete. Note: Current members of the Fairfax County Sheriff and Police Departments will have their polygraph administered by another agency.

THE MEDICAL EXAMINATION is conducted by the Fairfax County Public Safety Occupational Health Center (OHC). You must receive an "A" classification on your medical exam to continue in the selection process. You will be notified of your classification by mail. This examination can take up to three hours to complete.

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE EVALUATION is conducted by the Special Psychological Service Group (SPSG), or another agency. This evaluation measures the psychological suitability for a career in the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. It consists of several written tests and a structured clinical interview. This test can take up to eight hours to complete.

Fairfax County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, committed to workplace diversity. If you require special accommodations to proceed in the selection process, please contact the Recruitment Section at (703) 246-3939 prior to the scheduled event. Please inform us of any changes to your address or phone number to ensure proper notification for each exam.