Test

Exam Process

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

Written Test

The Fire Police Select Incorporated (FPSI) written test Registration for the written exam will begin at (time TBD) and the test will begin promptly at (time TBD). A photo ID is required to take the exam.

Written exams will be held (date TBD) at:(location TBD)

Applicants who pass the written exam will be placed on a list and ranked highest to lowest, based on their exam score.

Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT)

Only 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 40 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.

Hiring List

The next hiring list will be active beginning Dec. 1, 2021. The list will be effective for two years and will expire on Nov. 30 of 2023. 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.

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.

Military service time is the only qualifier for additional points to the FPSI Fire Police Select Incorporated written exam. If two or more candidates achieve the same ranking, a lottery will be held.

Recruitment Resources

Applicants who have questions about becoming a City of Erie firefighter can use the following resources:

Joe Walko
Fire Chief
City of Erie
Email: JWalko@erie.pa.us
Phone: 814-870-1400

Carrie Watkins
Civil Service Secretary
City of Erie
Email: cwatkins@erie.pa.us
Phone: 814-870-1244

Connie Cook
Human Resources Manager
City of Erie
Email: ccook@erie.pa.us
Phone: (814) 870-1241

Employment Benefits

Employment as a City of Erie firefighter comes with certain benefits. Benefits are subject to contract negotiations with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 293. Current employment benefits for City of Erie firefighters include:

• Schedule
  • 24-hour shift
    • 24 hours on
    • 72 hours off
  • Salary
    • Starting salary currently $47,318; 2021 salary TBD
    • Scheduled pay increase at 18 and 36 months
    • After 36 Months, Class A Firefighter salary is currently $78,863 per year; 2021 salary TBD
    • A longevity increment will be applied to the annual base salary starting in year five
    • Additional monies are added for obtaining an Emergency Medical Technician certification, Firefighter I certification, and Firefighter II certifications.
  • Paid time off
    • Vacation time after one year of service, increasing incrementally with service
      • All fire personnel hired on or before (date TBD) will receive (6) six vacation days in that calendar year
      • Eleven days of vacation is provided for 10 years or less of service with the department
      • Additional vacation days are added to a maximum of 18 vacation days for 20 years or more of service
    • 11 paid holidays
    • Two paid personal days
    • Paid birthday
    • 22 paid sick days per year converted to 12-hour block for suppression at time of hire
  • Pension and Retirement
    • Vested pension rights at 12 years of service
      • A cost-of-living adjustment provides that the pension of a retired firefighter will not drop below 50% of the monthly salary being paid to a Class A Firefighter (rate of a 36-month firefighter)
    • 457(b) / 401(a) plans available
  • Allowances
    • Clothing and uniform allowance ($300 annually)
    • Uniform cleaning allowance ($300 annually)
    • Turnout gear provided
  • Education and Training
    • Training provided

• Insurance
  • Medical, dental, prescription and vision insurance provided with minimal employee contribution
  • Life insurance provided with double indemnity for accidental death
  • Work-related injuries are covered under the Heart & Lung Act, which provides for 100% of salary, tax-free