Firefighter Trainee

Under immediate supervision, participates in assigned training and formal academic programs of instruction designed to qualify for certification as a Firefighter in accordance with the Texas State Statutes.

If you have been (or will be) discharged from the military, you may be eligible for five (5) Veteran's preference points on this examination. To be eligible to receive the additional points, you must have:

• Served on active duty for a minimum of 180 consecutive days in the United States Armed Forces
• Received an honorable discharge
• Score seventy percent (70%) or higher on the written SAFD entrance examination

In order to receive the five (5) Veteran's preference points, you must submit one of the acceptable documents with your online application or submit the documents following the mailing guidelines below.

Documents will not be accepted at the exam.

If you fail to submit your DD214 or letter by the deadline, you will not be awarded the Veteran's preference points on this examination.

• DD214 - (For Veteran applicants)
  • Must be an original or certified copy, legible and unaltered, without any sections missing
  • Only the following copies will be accepted:
    Service #2, Member #4, State Director of Veterans Affairs #6, Service #7, or Service #8
• Honorable Service Letter - (For Active-Duty applicants)
  • Must contain contact information for your current commander (field grade officer or above)
  • Term of service
  • And certify that you will receive an Honorable Discharge based on current conditions

Honorable service letter template available at: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

Mailing guidelines:

• Use Certified mail
• Address to:
  • City of San Antonio - HR Department
  • Attention:
    Sarah Bilger
  • P.O. Box 839966
  • San Antonio, TX 78283
• Must be postmarked by October 16, 2026.

• Attends training regarding:
  Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances, modern firefighting techniques, hazardous materials, building construction, motor vehicle operations, management and communication, and state certification for emergency medical technicians.
• Responds to fire alarms and other emergency calls.
• May be required to descend from 2nd floor quarters to 1st floor via sliding down a pole.
• Dons protective clothing (bunker gear) and breathing apparatus.
• Selects nozzles, depending on type of fire, removes hose from truck, transports hose to hydrant.
• Removes pre-connected hose from fire apparatus, stretches hose to fire and/or pulls skid load from apparatus bed, attaches to fire engine pump, and stretches to fire.
• In high rise, firefighter carries 1 3/4" hose upstairs with nozzle and adapter and assorted equipment, connects hose to standpipe, and stretches hose to fire.
• Directs stream of water or chemicals onto fire. Positions and climbs ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings.
• Performs and/or assists in victim extraction from buildings or vehicles.
• Performs search and rescue operations in buildings filled with fumes, smoke, odors, mists, etc. Creates openings in buildings or vehicles for ventilation, victim extraction, or entrance using ax, chisel, crowbar, electric saw, jaws-of-life, or other power equipment.
• Protects property from water and smoke using waterproof salvage covers.
• Removes items from buildings, including but not limited to, appliances, couches, and clothes.
• Cleans up items involved in the fire and removes them from the premises including but not limited to, appliances, couches, and clothes.
• Administers first-aid and/or artificial respiration to injured persons or those overcome by fire and/or smoke.
• Communicates with fellow firefighter(s) and superior(s) during firefighting and/or rescue operations.
• Attends and successfully completes Fire Department classes and other formal fire training programs to qualify for certification as a Firefighter.
• Participates in mandatory physical training which includes a realistic simulated scenario including traveling uneven ground and carrying 200 pounds through the course.
• Participates in drills, demonstrations, firefighting training evolutions, and courses in hydraulics, pump operation and maintenance, and firefighting techniques.
• Trains in the operation of rescue tools.
• Performs related duties and fulfills responsibilities as required.

• Graduation from high school or a General Education Development (GED) Certificate.
• Valid Class "C" Driver's License.

• Applicants must be at least 19 years of age by the date of the written examination.
• Applicants must not have reached 34 years of age by the date of the written examination.
• Applicants must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate.
• Applicants must be able to read, write, and speak in the English language.
• Applicants must not have any of the disqualifying items listed below on his/her record:

• Conviction of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude.
• Any discharge from the United States Armed…