Portland Fire & Rescue Firefighters

Please read the following web page.  Then, if you have questions that are not answered by our website, please email PF&R's Recruiting Officer or call the Recruiting Officer at (503) 823-3811. 

Portland Firefighters serve the community in many ways including fighting fires, providing emergency medical services, responding to hazardous materials spills, performing on specialty response teams, providing education to the public, investigating fires and enforcing code.  Professional firefighters work as a team at fire and medical emergency scenes. 

Firefighters must be in excellent physical condition to meet the demands of the job.  They must work quickly while handling heavy equipment for long periods of time.  Furthermore, hazardous environments require wearing special protective gear in hot conditions while performing demanding tasks. 

If you can meet the challenge of strenuous work and like the idea of helping people, consider applying for the position of Firefighter. PF&R will be accepting sign-ups for the video-based test from January 11 through January 25, 2010.  The test will be held February 18, 2010.  In order to receive periodic updates from PF&R's Recruitment Department, we encourage you to add your personal contact information to the “Firefighter Recruitment Notification” list.

The City of Portland does not take applications in advance of open recruitment. Applications are only available during the active recruitment process.

Applicants with little or no fire service experience and applicants who do not yet possess an Emergency Medical Technician – Basic (EMT-B) certification are encouraged to apply for the Firefighter Trainee Program.  Trainee Candidates who do not have an EMT-B certification will be paid to go through a six-week certification program. The Firefighter Trainee Program consists of a comprehensive eight-week training program where candidates will receive hands-on experience with the tools of the trade and advance to the strenuous physical fitness level required of a firefighter.  During this program, Firefighter Trainees work a 40-hour work schedule at the Training Center.  Successful Trainee candidates are sworn in and immediately advance to the Firefighter Recruit Academy.  Please note that EMT-B certification is required before beginning the Firefighter Trainee Program.

The City of Portland has no volunteer firefighting opportunities.  If you are interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter, please refer to the Oregon Volunteer Firefighter Association.

The following links will provide information that may help you decide whether you want to be a firefighter for the City of Portland.  You will also find more information about the application and testing process.