Entry Level Firefighter Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must meet the following minimum qualifications in order to be invited to apply for the position of entry level firefighter.

• Be at least 18 years of age by date of hire
• Have a high school diploma or GED Certificate
• Have and maintain a current National Registry EMT – Basic or a Colorado EMT – Basic Certificate.
  • UC Health has EMT classes starting spring, summer and fall every year. Classes can be found on the UC Health website by setting your search “region” to Southern CO and search “category” to EMS. 
  • Centura Health's Penrose-St Francis Hospital also provides EMT Training and Certification. Check out their Southern Colorado courses to sign up.
• Successfully complete the Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT).  View the National Testing Network's list of CPAT Organizations to find one near you.
• Maintain a valid National Testing Network (NTN) FireTEAM test score**
• By the date of hire, you must be a US citizen, permanent resident alien, temporary resident alien, applicant for temporary resident status, refugee or asylee. All applicants that are offered employment must provide documents to establish their identity and employment eligibility for authorization to work in the U.S.
• Be in appropriate physical condition and meet medical standards as established by the City of Colorado Springs Fire Department
• Have or be able to obtain a valid Colorado driver's license
• Cannot be convicted of a crime that would affect your ability to certify with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). For more information, please read the NREMT's Criminal Policy.
• We do not permit the use of medicinal or recreational marijuana.​

 

*Only a CPAT licensed by the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) will be accepted.  The Colorado Springs Fire Department requires candidates to have a valid CPAT at the time of testing and at the time of final employment offers.  

** A FireTEAM score is deemed valid by NTN.  Scores are determined with the following minimum and weighted scores. 

	MINIMUM AND/OR WEIGHTING
Human Relations	No minimum score
Mechanical Aptitude	No minimum score
Reading	Minimum score of 70% - marked as pass/fail
Math	Minimum score of 70% - marked as pass/fail
Total Score	Weighted score of Human Relations (70%) and Mechanical (30%)