What to Expect After You Apply

Every three to four years, the Department offers the opportunity for members of the public to apply to become a New York City Firefighter.

Once you apply, you will receive an admission card in the mail before the test date, see the DCAS website for more details.

The Written Exam focuses on a number of topics that gauge a candidate’s ability to learn and perform the duties of a Firefighter, including reading comprehension, problem solving, spatial recognition and applying rules to general concepts. It does not require any pre-existing knowledge about firefighting or the Fire Department.

The FDNY also provides free tutorials to help you prepare for the Written Exam, for information call (718) 999-FDNY.

You will then be called to take the physical portion of the exam. It is a series of challenges designed to test ability in four categories of fitness that are crucial in firefighting.

Based on your performance on these two exams, your name will be put on a civil service list.
You will be called based on your list number and need for Firefighters, which can take approximately two to four years.

Once your number is called, you will take a medical and psychological test, as well as receive a background investigation. Your eligibility requirements will also be checked at this time.

Apply to Take the Test

The Open Competitive Examination is administered once every four years. We anticipate the next Written Examination to be given in early 2011, with the Filing Period taking place during the end of 2010.

Most Recent Notice of Examination
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcas/downloads/pdf/noes/firefighter.pdf