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FAQ ABOUT THE
ROCHESTER FIRE DEPARTMENT RECRUITMENT
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What
are the necessary steps to becoming a Rochester firefighter?
The hiring process in its entirety is comprised of the following
sequential steps:
• Civil Service Exam
• Physical Agility Test
• Background Investigation
• Conditional Offer of Employment
• Medical Exam
• Appointment as a Firefighter
Please click on the following link to view the hiring process flow chart .
How do I start the process
to become a Firefighter?
Please take a look at the Job Opportunities section of the City of
Rochester, NY webpage. For more information you may contact the City's
Department of Human Resources by email at HR@cityofrochester.gov or by
calling (585) 428-7115.
Can I use my Veteran's
credits towards my exam score?
Yes. New York State Civil Service Law provides that Veterans who
meet certain requirements are entitled to additional credits (or points) added
to their passing civil service exam scores. If you are a Veteran and want to
apply for Veteran credits (points) you can do so at any time up until the
eligible list is established. However, processing Veteran’s credit information
can take time and you are urged to submit your application as soon as possible.
Veteran's credits cannot be granted after the list is established.
How do I submit my
Veteran’s credits?
When you submit your application you can also fill out a Veterans Credit, Form
VC1. This form is available from the City's Human Resources Department.
For more information go to: https://www.cityofrochester.gov/EmploymentForms.aspx or
call the Department of Human Resource Management at (585) 428-7115.
Do I
have to be a citizen of the United States?
No. However, if you are a non-citizen, you must have acceptable
documentation which shows you are a legal resident of the United States. This
documentation must be presented when a job offer is made.
What is the minimum age
for applicants?
There is no age requirement for an individual to participate in
the exam. However, you must be at least eighteen (18) years old at the time you
start the Fire Academy Recruit Class.
Do I have to be a high
school graduate or have a GED?
To participate in the examination you will need one of the
following:
- Currently possess
a high school diploma or GED; OR
- Expect to receive
a high school diploma or GED by August 1, 2023; and if successful on the
examination, you will NOT be certified for appointment UNTIL you have
submitted proof of completion of your high school diploma or GED to the
City of Rochester Examination Administration unit. Proof MUST be submitted
no later than 2 (TWO) MONTHS after the completion of your degree or
diploma.
I do not currently live in the City of
Rochester. Can I still apply?
Yes, however you will be required to be a resident of the City of
Rochester and maintain residency (90) days prior to the physical agility
examination. To ensure compliance with this residency requirement, we
strongly encourage all candidates to be a resident of the City of Rochester by
the date of the examination. During the background process you will be required
to provide proof that you have complied with the above residency
requirement.
In the event your address or name changes after you have applied for
the examination, you must send an email to HR@cityofrochester.gov with
the subject line of “Change of Address / Name.” In the email, be sure to
include:
- your name (new and
old if applicable)
- old address
- new address
- new phone number
- the last 4 digits
of your Social Security Number
- the effective date
of change
- attach documents
to verify residency, if applicable (See below for
details)
Residency Verification:
If you are moving from a NON-CITY address to a CITY address, you must attach
two (2) documents/files showing the new address. The documents that will
be accepted are:
- Driver’s license
with a printed address
- Mortgage
statement
- Lease agreement or
rent receipt
- Bank statement
- Credit card
billing statement
- Recent legal
document which includes an address (ex. A marital separation agreement)
- Utility bill (ex.
Electricity, telephone, water bill, etc.)
- Voter registration
card issued by the Board of Elections
Do I need to be a New York State certified EMT
at the time of application?
Recruits that do not have a NYS approved EMT Certification will be
registered in and complete a NYS EMT-B original course.
NYS EMT Certified Recruits will be registered in and complete a
NYS EMT-B original course.
- Successful
completion of the course will lead to the NYS Practical Exam.
- Passing the
Practical Exam will allow entry into a written certification exam.
- Passing the
written certification exam will lead to NYS EMT certification.
I was a firefighter somewhere else. Do I have
to take the written exam, and/or do I have to attend the fire academy?
Your experience as a firefighter may help in the testing and
selection process. However, the Rochester Fire Department is unable to accept
transfers. You will be required to test and if successful, you will have to go
through the training as a firefighter recruit.
The next
Civil service Exam has not been announced yet.
Can the written exam be taken at another time?
In certain situations, in which a candidate is unable to make the
examination date above they may request an alternate test date. Requests for
alternate test dates due to non-emergency situations must be submitted to the
Examination Administration section of Human Resource Management no later than
ten (10) working days prior to the scheduled date of the written exam. The
request shall contain a complete explanation of the reason the candidate cannot
take the examination as scheduled and be supported by appropriate
documentation, if available.
For emergency situations, the candidate must notify the Examination
Administration section of Human Resource Management of the need for an
alternate test date no later than two work days following the scheduled written
exam date.
To request an alternate test date must send an email to HR@cityofrochester.gov with
the subject line of “Alternate Test Date Request”.
What is the exam comprised
of?
The Firefighter Civil Service Examination will have two (2) parts:
Part 1 of the examination is a written test in
a multiple choice format and will test for general abilities needed to succeed
in entry-level Firefighter training. No previous knowledge of firefighting work
is necessary to succeed on this test.
*Currently, the consultant developing this Firefighter Exam for the City of
Rochester is conducting a Job Analysis of the Firefighter position at the City
of Rochester. The purpose of this Job Analysis is to identify the job
duties and knowledge, skills, abilities, and personal characteristics of the
City's Firefighter position for the examination to be developed from. At
the conclusion of this Job Analysis, an Examination Scope for this Firefighter
Exam will be emailed to all candidates who have applied for this examination
and will be posted on this page of the City's website.*
*Candidates who pass Part 1 of the examination will be invited to
Part 2.
Part 2 of the examination is a qualifying Physical
Agility Screening Test - also known as the Beep or PACER test, is
an aerobic cardiovascular endurance test that consists of a series 20-meter
runs to determine whether a candidate possesses a minimum VO2 or oxygen uptake
level.
Are there any study
materials available for the examination?
A Candidate Orientation Guide, Training Video,
and Study Guide will be available for candidates to prepare for this
written examination. Upon the completion of the Job Analysis for
this examination, a link to this information will be emailed to all candidates
who have applied for this examination and will be posted on the City's website.
What am I required to
bring to the written examination?
Required:
• Valid proof of photo identification (i.e. non-driver ID card,
driver’s license, passport, school or military ID, etc.)
• Your written exam notice (Admission Letter). If you received this by
e-mail, it must be printed and brought with you.
• Two (2) No. 2 pencils.
Not allowed:
• Study
guides or any other reference material.
• Any electronic/communication devices to include calculators, pagers,
headphones, etc. will not be allowed within the testing area .
*NOTE: Cell
phones must be turned off and stored away upon entering the testing area and
for the duration of the examination. Cell phones may be turned back on once you
successfully depart from the examination facility.
Can reasonable
accommodations be provided for the examination?
If you require special testing accommodations for a Civil Service
Examination because of a documented disability you must forward a request, with
supporting documentation pertaining to the disability, to the Department of
Human Resource Management. This request can either be e-mailed to the
Department of Human Resource Management at HR@cityofrochester.gov with
the subject line of “Special Accommodations for Examination” or mailed to 30
Church Street, Room 103A, Rochester, NY 14614.
When will I receive the
results of my written exam?
Written examination results, including your examination score,
will be emailed and/or mailed six (6) to (8) weeks after the examination. Those
who receive a passing score will be placed on the Firefighter Civil Service
Eligible List and depending on the score band you rank in, you will be invited
to participate in Part 2, the qualifying Physical Agility Screening Test, of
the examination.
Is there a fee to take
this examination and if so are there any conditions for which I may have that
fee waived?
There is no fee to participate in the Firefighter Civil Service
Examination.
How long is the Firefighter Civil Service
Eligibility List good for?
The Firefighter Civil Service Eligibility List is good for a
minimum of one (1) year and a maximum of four (4) years. During the life of
this list it is imperative that you notify the City’s Department of Human
Resource Management of any changes to your home address, e-mail address, or
phone number. Failing to do so may result in you not being notified of a step
in the hiring process which will disqualify you from consideration.
Application Assistance Workshop
Is there assistance available for
completing my application?
Yes. The Rochester Fire Department hosts several Application
Assistance Workshops (AAW) during the application period. These workshops are
designed to provide applicants with the opportunity to ask questions pertaining
to the hiring process and job requirements. These sessions will also provide
applicants with the information and support needed to successfully and accurately
complete the application.
Are
there specific physical fitness standards for firefighters?
Yes, all Firefighter applicants for the City of Rochester Fire
Department must pass the physical agility test. The Rochester Fire Department
uses the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER Test) as an
entry level physical agility exam. The PACER test is administered after an
applicant successfully passes the Firefighter written civil service exam.
Applicants that do not pass the PACER test cannot continue in the hiring
process. The Department of Human Resources does not offer “re-tests” or
do-overs”.
What does the PACER Test
measure?
The PACER test ensures that all candidates possess the base level
of physical fitness needed for entry-level firefighter training. The PACER test
was designed to measure cardio endurance and overall performance and fitness
levels. Please click the following link to learn more about the physical agility
requirements .
Is there a video I can
watch or a practice session for the Physical Agility Test/PACER/Beep Test?
A workshop will be conducted in conjunction with Personal Energy
Inc., the company that developed and administers the Firefighter physical
examination, which will be an in-person event geared toward preparing
candidates to successfully pass this portion of the examination.
Please refer to the link below to view a few sites that will provide a general
overview of the test.
•Blue Lion
Fitness : Everything you need to know about the beep test
•Beep Test
Academy YouTube Video on the beep test protocol
How can I find out if
there is a medical condition that will disqualify me from being hired as a
firefighter?
Candidates must pass a medical examination in accordance with the
standards set forth in the most recent edition of the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) 1582: Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program
for Fire Departments. This standard outlines guidelines aimed to reduce risks
and improve the health, safety and effectiveness of firefighters. Please click
on the link to view more specific information on the most recent NFPA 1582 edition.
Compliance with this standard is required throughout employment as a
uniformed member of the Rochester Fire Department.
Background Investigation
What if I have had a previous encounter with
the criminal justice system?
All Firefighter recruits go through an extensive background
screening process before being hired. Criminal history and convictions will be
reviewed prior to a final job offer. Sworn public safety positions require
closer scrutiny by hiring authorities during the background screening process.
Disclosure of all criminal and driving history is required for the background
screening process and failure to do so will result in an automatic
disqualification from the hiring process.