City of Erie Fire Department Now Accepting Applications for 2025 Hiring Cycle

Mayor Joe Schember and City of Erie Fire Chief Len Trott announced today that the City of Erie Fire Department is now accepting applications. Interested candidates must apply by midnight on April 27, 2025, at efd.erie.pa.us/apply.

More vacancies than usual are expected this cycle, and this is an excellent opportunity for those interested in becoming a firefighter to join a team-oriented, rewarding career in public service. The City of Erie Fire Department is an equal opportunity employer.

To qualify, all applicants—regardless of prior firefighting, law enforcement, or military experience—must meet the physical, mental, and psychological requirements established by Pennsylvania state law and the City of Erie Civil Service Board.

Eligible applicants must meet the following: • Must be between 18-45 years old on the date of the Civil Service test

• Must be a U.S. Citizen

• Must have earned a high school diploma or GED

• A valid driver’s license is required at the time of application

Applicants who are hired must also obtain the following before their date of hire:

• EMT-B certification (or enrolled in a course to be certified before hire)

• Proof of Hepatitis B vaccination or immunity

Applicants with the following experience will receive these merit-based bonus points:

• Firefighter I: +2 points

• Firefighter II: +2 points

• EMT-Paramedic: +1 point

• 5 years paid firefighting experience: +1 point

• City of Erie residency: +2 points

• Veterans Preference: +10 points (if eligible)

An $80 non-refundable application fee is required to cover the cost of testing, background checks, and scoring by Fire and Police Selection, Inc. (FPSI). There is also an optional Candidate Orientation Guide available for $15.

The Civil Service Exam will be held on June 21, 2025, at LECOM, 2000 West Grandview Blvd. Top scorers will advance to the pass/fail Candidate Physical Agility Test (CPAT), with optional practice sessions available.

The Eligibility list will be effective Dec 1, 2025 – Nov 30, 2027. Successful applicants must pass a background check before hire and establish residency within 15 miles of Erie City Hall within 1 year of hire.