The City of Erie Civil Service Board offers applications and testing for the position of firefighter during a limited publicized period every odd-numbered year. Applicants must pass both a written and a physical agility test to become a City of Erie firefighter.
Applicants do not need to be a resident of the City of Erie to apply for employment or take the written and physical exams. However, within a year of being hired, candidates will be required to live within a 15-mile radius of City Hall, located at:
City of Erie Municipal Building
626 State St.
Erie, PA 16501
Hiring List
The next hiring list will be active beginning Dec. 1, 2025. The list will be effective for two years and will expire on Nov. 30, 2027. Any vacancy existing prior to the exhaustion or expiration of an eligibility list must be filled from that list.
Vacancies within the City of Erie Fire Department will be filled according to the order of eligible candidates on the hiring list. The number of names taken from the list will be dependent on the number of vacancies. These names will be nominated to the Civil Service Board for appointment only after clearing a physical, psychological and a background investigation.
In order to become a City of Erie firefighter, interested applicants must follow the current application process, outlined below.
Applications are online only and available from Friday April 11, 2025 to Sunday April 27, 2025.
Required Documents
You will need the following documents to apply:
- -Birth Certificate
- -High school diploma, G.E.D, and/or college diploma
- -Valid driver’s license
- -DD-214 or other proof of eligible servitude (If applicable)
- -Paramedic certification (if applicable)
Fees
- The City of Erie charges a non-refundable $80 application fee which is payable online.
- There is a non-refundable $15 orientation guide fee which is also payable online. The orientation guide is optional and available for purchase here: CEBPST Candidate Orientation Guide (fpsi.com).
Dates
- Application Period: Friday April 11, 2025 to Sunday April 27, 2025
- Test Registration: 8 a.m. on Saturday June 21, 2025 at:
LECOM West
2000 W. Grandview Blvd.
Erie, PA 16509
- Comprehensive Examination Battery with Practical Skills Test (CEB-PST): 9 a.m. Saturday June 21, 2025 at LECOM West.
- Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT): Top applicants who pass the written test will advance to the CPAT later in the year. (date TBD)
Written Test
The Comprehensive Examination Battery Test (CEB/PST) will be held in-person on Saturday June 21, 2025 at:
LECOM West
2000 West Grandview Blvd.
Erie, PA 16509
Registration begins at 8 a.m. Applicants must bring a valid photo ID. The test will begin at 9 a.m. Applicants will have 3 hours to complete the test.
Top applicants who pass the written test will advance to the CPAT later in the year.
Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT)
Top applicants who pass the written test will qualify to take the Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT). The CPAT is pass or fail. A photo ID is required to take the CPAT.
A voluntary, eight-week prep session for the CPAT will be held for the top candidates. At the time of the prep session, candidates will be advised of the schedule for the training simulating the physical abilities components and will be informed of the exact time and location of the CPAT final test.
Date: To be determined.
Civil Service Board and Military Service
The Civil Service Board accepts no lateral transfers from other departments, and each applicant must take both written and physical exams, regardless of past firefighting or emergency medical service experience.
Candidates must pass the written test to qualify for additional points. If two or more candidates achieve the same ranking, a lottery will be held.
Fire Academy Training Requirements
All newly hired firefighters will be required to attend and complete a ten-week training program to attain Firefighter I and Firefighter II certification. The fire academy is based in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
- Training fees are provided by the City.
- Healthcare benefits are effective the date of hire.
- During training pay is 40% of class A. Hours are estimated to be 55 hours per week. Straight time is earned for the first 42 hours. Overtime rate applies for all hours after 42.
- Cash funds are provided for uncovered expenses related to meals and travel. Failure to complete or pass training will result in termination and participants are expected to return any unused funds provided by the City.