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FIREFIGHTING AS A CAREER
Firefighters enjoy a challenging work environment with good pay and excellent benefits. The Carlsbad Fire Department's entry level position is that of Paramedic/Firefighter.
Why Choose Carlsbad for Your Firefighting Career?
Carlsbad is a full service fire department with a staff of 80 employees protecting the City's 42 square mile area. During a typical 24-hour shift, there are 22 firefighters and one battalion chief on duty at the city's 6 fire stations. Each station has a captain, engineer, and paramedic/firefighter that staff a fire engine. In addition, fire stations 1 and 5 have an extra paramedic and firefighter to staff an advanced life support ambulance. Besides the three duty battalion chiefs, the department has a division chief for emergency operations, a battalion chief for training, a fire marshal, 3 Deputy Fire Marshals, 2 part-time Inspectors, and a management analyst that support the fire chief in the operation of the department.
In addition to serving the city's 90,000 residents, Carlsbad firefighters have many unique and challenging areas to protect including seven miles of beaches, the region's second busiest airport, a major freeway and railroad corridor, high tech industrial businesses, an amusement park (Legoland California), two world class resorts (La Costa Resort and Spa and Four Seasons Aviara), a 965 megawatt power plant, a regional waste water and reclamation plant, and two regional shopping centers (Plaza Camino Real and Carlsbad Company Stores).
Fire Protection
The Carlsbad Fire Department is equipped to fight wildland, residential, commercial, industrial, and vehicle fires. Each of the City's modern Seagraves fire engines are capable of pumping 1,500 gallons of water per minute, and carry specialized foam and tools to attack a wide variety of fires. In addition, the Carlsbad Fire Department maintains two fire engines designed for fighting wildland fires.
Emergency Medical Services
Carlsbad was one of the first fire departments in San Diego county to have a certified paramedic on every fire engine. As a leading preceptor of paramedics in the region, Carlsbad is committed to providing the highest level of continuing education in the field of paramedic medicine. The fact that Carlsbad is home to three San Diego County Paramedics of the Year only attests to the quality and dedication of our personnel. By cross training our firefighters as paramedics, the Carlsbad fire department is able to respond to emergency medical incidents with highly trained paramedics on all our fire engines. Patient transportation is provided by the department's two advanced life support ambulances that operate 24-hours a day.
Fire Rescue
Carlsbad's rescue truck is the only one in San Diego county certified by the California Office of Emergency Services at the medium rescue level. This means Carlsbad has the equipment and training to handle most rescue situations including vehicle extrications, trench rescue, confined space, collapsed structures, and high angle rescues. Specialized equipment maintained by the department to assist in these rescues includes a trench rescue shoring equipment trailer, numerous pneumatic tools, saws, jacks, air lift bags, carriers, and specialized cameras.
Emergency Communication and Dispatch
Carlsbad was a leader in the formation of the San Diego County Regional Communication System, which provides 800 MHz radio communication interoperability between public agencies. This digital communication system provides the Carlsbad Fire Department very reliable and secure radio communications throughout the San Diego region.
For fire dispatching services, Carlsbad is a member of the North County Dispatch Joint Powers Authority (JPA). This dispatch JPA provides professional dispatching services for local and regional level incidents and provides Carlsbad with state of the art computer aided dispatch (CAD) and records management systems (RMS).
For detailed salary and benefit information please see the documents below.
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1947 Seagraves Antique Fire Engine
Triple Combination Pumper
Flat Head V12 Pierce Arrow Motor
| The minimum qualifications for the position of Paramedic/Firefighter are: |
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18 years of age at time of application |
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High School Diploma or G.E.D. |
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Valid California Driver's License |
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Valid CA Paramedic License and EMT-P Accreditation with the County of San Diego EMS Office |
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California Fire Academy I Certification or completion of an accredited academy |
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U.S. Citizen or process of obtaining citizenship |
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| Desirable Education and Skills: |
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CA Driver's License (Class A or B) |
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Associates Degree - AA/AS |
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Bachelor Degree - BA/BS |
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Fire Science Certificates |
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Bilingual/Spanish |
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Two or more consecutive years experience as a certified, practicing paramedic is highly desirable |
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| Process to become a Firefighter: |
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City of Carlsbad Application |
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Written Test & Personal History Questionnaire |
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Physical Ability Test |
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Pass a Background Investigation, Medical and Psychological Examination and a drug and alcohol test |
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Criminal Fingerprint Check |
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Oral Board Interview / Chief's Interview |
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Offer of Employment |
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In - House Fire Academy; graduation with successful completion of all written and manipulative exams |
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Completion of Probationary Period, one year after graduation from date of hire |
How to Apply
To recruit entry level paramedic/firefighters the Carlsbad Fire Department participates in the North County Regional Firefighter Testing Program. This testing program, which recruits firefighters for 10 fire agencies in North San Diego County, is administered through Palomar Community College. The testing consists of both a written and physical abilities component. Information on the next firefighter recruitment test can be viewed at www.palomar.edu/fire/testing.html.
For more information on the classes necessary to become a firefighter/paramedic please call Palomar College's Public Safety Programs Office at (760) 744-1150 x2287 or see their web site at:
For further information:
Human Resources Department
City of Carlsbad
1635 Faraday Avenue
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone: (760) 602-2440
Fax: (760) 602-8554
Job Line: (760) 602-2480
Contact Us | Human Resources
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