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 on April 12, 2021.
Written exams will be held online on June 14, 2021.
Applicants who pass the written exam will be placed on a list and ranked highest to lowest, based on their exam score.
Entry-Level Firefighter Test
The upcoming Entry-level Firefighter Test will evaluate whether or not you possess the critical, and job-related, skills and abilities necessary for success on the job. Qualified applicants will be given instructions on the process and next steps to follow to take the online entry-level firefighter test on the scheduled test date. Every qualified applicant will be given a specific test link ahead of the test day with instructions on how to access the online test. For the test day, applicants will need to ensure that they have a laptop or desktop computer (Windows, Mac, or Linux) and must use one of the following browsers (Chrome, Safari, Edge, or FireFox) to take the online test.
In preparation for the recruitment process for the Entry-Level Firefighter position, you may order an optional practice guide. Applicants may order the “Online Test Candidate Orientation Guide” by clicking the following link: https://www.fpsi.com/product/online-test-guide/. The Online Test Candidate Orientation Guide is a helpful tool to prepare for the exam and can be downloaded as a PDF file and saved or printed. Please read through the disclaimer on the order page in order to access the file and have a successful download. Payments will be submitted through PayPal via an account or credit/debit card. Once payment is submitted, PayPal automatically redirects you back to the FPSI site where access to the download link will be located on the Checkout Status page. It is important to pay close attention to ALL instructions on both the FPSI and PayPal websites in order to access the instant download successfully!” data-wplink-url-error=”true”>https://www.fpsi.com/product/online-test-guide/. The Online Test Candidate Orientation Guide is a helpful tool to prepare for the exam and can be downloaded as a PDF file and saved or printed. Please read through the disclaimer on the order page in order to access the file and have a successful download. Payments will be submitted through PayPal via an account or credit/debit card. Once payment is submitted, PayPal automatically redirects you back to the FPSI site where access to the download link will be located on the Checkout Status page. It is important to pay close attention to ALL instructions on both the FPSI and PayPal websites in order to access the instant download successfully!
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 Davison
Civil Service Secretary
City of Erie
Email: CDavison@erie.pa.us
Phone: 814-870-1244
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 (as of 2021) $46,367
- Scheduled pay increase at 18 and 48 months
- After 48 Months, Class A Firefighter salary is $77,279 per year (as of 2021)
- 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
- Vacation time after one year of service, increasing incrementally with service
- 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
- Vested pension rights at 12 years of service
- Allowances
- Clothing and uniform allowance ($300 annually)
- Uniform cleaning allowance ($300 annually)
- Turnout gear provided
- Education and Training
- Training provided
- 24-hour shift
- 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