New Video Tours Seattle Fire Station
A recent video provides a tour of a Seattle Fire Department station, led by Firefighter Leo Castañeda. The Spanish-language video showcases the station's layout, apparatus, and living quarters. Castañeda emphasizes that the station culture is "like a family," highlighting the importance of teamwork and shared responsibilities for new hires.
- The Seattle Firefighter Civil Service Exam process begins with the FireTEAM test, a video-based assessment that takes about 2.5 hours and evaluates reading comprehension, math, mechanical reasoning, and human relations skills. Candidates can either take a new test or transfer a valid score from the National Testing Network (NTN) from the previous year. - After the FireTEAM test, applicants must complete the Public Safety Self-Assessment 1 (PSSA1) online. Only the top 1,500 scoring candidates from both assessments are invited to the in-person Oral Board Exam, which is the next step in the competitive process. - Beyond the cognitive tests, candidates must pass the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), a standardized physical exam for firefighters. The CPAT consists of eight sequential events, including a stair climb with a weight pack, and is a pass/fail assessment. - The starting annual salary for a Fire Recruit is $102,048. Pay increases with seniority, with scheduled raises after 6, 18, 30, and 42 months on the job. - Operations firefighters typically work approximately eight 24-hour shifts per month. The department's core values, which are central to station culture, include integrity, teamwork, compassion, courage, and diversity. - The next application period for entry-level firefighters is scheduled to open in the fall of 2026. The hiring register from the Fall 2025 application period will be established in March 2026, with recruit classes starting in August 2026 and February 2027. - While an EMT certification is not required to apply, candidates must have a Washington state EMT certification or be eligible for sponsorship before the start of recruit school. The department offers a limited number of spots in an SFD-led EMT course for some candidates. - After completing probation, firefighters have opportunities for premium pay assignments on technical teams such as Hazardous Materials, Technical Rescue, and the Marine Emergency Response Team. To become a paramedic with Medic One, a firefighter must have at least two years of service with the department before applying for the specialized training.
