Firefighter Hiring Process Information

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Learn more about a career as a firefighter and the application process

Poudre Fire Authority (PFA) is not hiring career firefighters right now. We completed a hiring process in the summer of 2025. Hiring processes are setup as needed and will be shared across PFA social media and career websites.

Are you interested in becoming a firefighter in Northern Colorado? You can still learn about the firefighter hiring process, application requirements, and what the career entails here.

Watch the video below to see what a day in the life is like for the Engine 1 firefighters at PFA Station 1 near downtown Fort Collins.

What does a shift as a firefighter with PFA look like? While no two days are the same in the fire service, there are some constants. The Engine 1 Crew Lieutenant walks viewers through what their days (and nights) tend to look like. Whether it is checking the fire engine to make sure all of the equipment is working correctly or responding to a second alarm fire in the middle of the night, you will watch the crew work a shift.

Firefighter Qualifications

What qualifications do you need to apply to be a firefighter? At PFA, we value accessibility, so we have worked hard to update our minimum requirements to invite more people to consider a career in the fire service. What requirements are needed to become a firefighter?

Firefighter Application Requirements Include:

A minimum age of 18 years.
A high school diploma or GED equivalent.
A good standing and valid driver's license.
Pass a background check and psychological evaluation (upon conditional job offer).
Must pass a drug screening.
Must be able to pass physical evaluations.
Applicants do not need to have an EMT certification to apply to be a firefighter with PFA. If you receive a conditional job offer and you do not have an EMT certification, PFA will assist you through that process, so you are certified before fire academy.

Entry into the fire academy is contingent on obtaining an EMT certification and passing the other post-hire requirements.
Applicants who already have their EMT certification only need to pass the post-hire requirements after they are given a condition job offer. Post-hire requirements will be provided to applicants once they are given a conditional job offer.

Review the full Poudre Fire Authority job description here.

Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)
Candidates will need to complete the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). An overview of the Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness/Fitness Initiative Candidate Physical Ability Test used by PFA to determine candidate's physical suitability is provided above.

PFA offers competitive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Benefits also include paid time off and sick leave. PFA prioritizes personal growth opportunities and the health of our employees, so tuition reimbursement (limited) and other health and wellbeing benefits are included.

Review and download the full benefits guide for classified sworn personnel here.

Detailed Instructions for the Written Online Testing Process

Applicants will need to register and pay the fee to take the test. Support for IT will only be available each day of testing from 8 a.m. MDT through 8 p.m. MDT.

If you are currently experiencing financial hardship that limits your ability to pay the $35 written test fee, please complete the financial hardship application. The form must be completed prior to the PFA firefighter application close date (June 1, 2025 at 5:00 pm MDT) to be eligible for fee exemption.

PFA opens the application period on March 1 and the application period closes on June 1 at 5:00 pm MDT.
Fire and Police Selection, Inc. (FPSI) will email all applicants the registration webpage link.
Once registration closes, FPSI will compile the list of applicants who registered and paid. FPSI will then email the unique test links to all applicants by 11:00 a.m. MDT.
The testing window will be open from June 16 at 1:00 a.m. MDT through June 21 at 12:59 a.m. MDT. IT support will be available each day of testing from 8:00 a.m. MDT through 8:00 p.m. MDT.

A study guide for the test can be purchased here (but is not required).

FPSI Test Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The FAQ list below offers additional details to guide you through the testing process. It covers in detail questions about the test registration, cost, and test window, so you know what to expect and how to prepare.

Am I required to apply with the city or fire department prior to testing?

Answer: Yes, to be invited to register and take the online firefighter test, every candidate must apply with the city or fire department during the open application period. Please refer to the City's/Department's required application information for details, instructions and any date/time requirements. For the Poudre Fire Authority recruitment process, the application period is open from March 1, 2025, until June 1, 2025. You must apply by this date and qualify to be invited to register and take the test!

How do I register to take the online test?

Answer: Once you have been notified that you are a qualified candidate, you will receive further information on how to register for the test from FPSI Support (support@fpsi.com). You must register and pay to take the online test. The test registration period is open from June 4, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST) until June 13, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. (MST). If you do not register during this registration period, you will not be allowed to take the online test! Be sure you are qualified and able to take the test as the registration fee is non-refundable.

Is there a fee to register for the online test?

Answer: Yes, the cost to register for the online firefighter test is $35.00 (non-refundable). There is an optional $15.00 Candidate Orientation Guide you may also purchase when you register. The Candidate Orientation Guide will provide you with an overview of what to expect on the test and includes practice test items and a scoring key. The practice test items are very similar to the items on the actual test.

When is the online written test?

How will I receive access to take the online test?

Answer: Every registered candidate will receive one (1) unique test link to take the online firefighter test. The test link and instructions will be emailed from the testing platform “Test Genius” from this email: onlinetesting@invitations.testgenius.com. The test link will be emailed on June 14, 2025 (two days before the testing window opens). If you do not see the test link email in your inbox before the test window, please carefully check ALL other email folders (e.g., junk/promotions/categories/unread) first, then email help@fpsi.com if you still cannot locate it.

How much time will I have to take the online written test?

How do I contact support during the online test?

What do I need to be able to take the test online?

Answer: To take the test, candidates must ensure they have or can do the following:

Laptop or desktop computer (Windows, Mac, or Linux operating systems).
Turn off any scheduled updates or scans for laptop or computer on the test day.
Be sure internet service provider is working for the entire test with at least 20 Mbps
upload/download speed. Check your speed here: https://fiber.google.com/speedtest/
Do not use a mobile/cellular hotspot.
Must use one of the following internet browsers with the most current version:
Chrome, Safari, Edge or FireFox. Google Chrome is preferred.
Candidates may not use Internet Explorer as their browser.
Candidates may not use their cell phone, iPad, tablet or Chromebook to take test.

Can I start the test and take a break and then access the test again?

Answer: No. Once you start the online test, your time will start, and you are not allowed to close your browser or leave the test. Your final test time will be calculated and reported to the department you are testing with. Additionally, your test link will only work once. You will not be given more than one test link, so please ensure that you are able to spend up to 3 hours to take the test before you click on the test link.

Do I need a webcam to take the test?

Answer: You do not need a webcam to take the online test. Candidates are expected to take the test without assistance and without the use of a calculator. Integrity is one of the most important characteristics of a firefighter and you are expected to demonstrate this critical trait during the testing period. Measures have been put into place to confirm that your online test score accurately depicts your skills in the areas measured by the test. If you are unable to demonstrate consistency between your online test results and those integrity measures that the department may elect to use (i.e., a confirmatory test, a polygraph, etc.), you will be removed from the recruitment process.

Download a PDF of the FPSI Test FAQs here.