Firefighter Exams

Firefighter

The 2022 Firefighter Eligible List has been established and will be in effect through June 27, 2024.

The next official application filing period for Firefighter is scheduled for November 2023.

For information regarding filing a City of Columbus application to take the Firefighter exam please review the document listed directly below titled Tips for Filing Firefighter Applications.

Tips for Filing Firefighter Applications(PDF, 887KB)

You may also contact the Fire Recruitment office for additional information or opportunities. Fire Recruitment can be reached by calling (614) 645-6387 or emailing firerecruitment@columbus.gov.

About the Firefighter Exam

Currently, the Entry-Level Firefighter examination consists of three phases:

• Phase I: Multiple Choice Examination (pass/fail)
• Phase II: Oral Examination aka Fire Oral Assessment Mechanism (FOAM) (band/fail)
• Phase III: Physical Examination aka Firefighter Mile (pass/fail)

Entry-Level Firefighter Exam Resources

• Firefighter Selection Process(PDF, 289KB)
• Firefighter Background Removal Standards(PDF, 362KB)
• Background Removal Standards for Firefighter applications received after December 13, 2021(PDF, 362KB)
• Firefighter Entry Level Test Guide(PDF, 907KB)
• Firefighter Mile Candidate Orientation Guide(PDF, 3MB)
• Firefighter Mile Orientation Video
• FOAM Practice Scenario Video
• FOAM Response to Practice Scenario Video
• Veterans Preference Fact Sheet(PDF, 734KB)
• Civil Service Commission Medical Guide for Firefighter Candidates(PDF, 185KB)
• Treadmill Stress Test Guide(PDF, 182KB)
• Fire Training Academy Warm-Up Exercises

Firefighter Exam Information Sessions

Information sessions are designed to help candidates understand what is expected during the exam. An overview of the study guide will be provided, along with a question and answer session. These information sessions are optional for candidates. They are hosted by the Civil Service Commission.

A video of the final information session. Additional information sessions may be held prior to the next test administration.

Firefighter Promotional Exam Information

Fire Lieutenant

Fire Captain

Fire Battalion Chief

Fire Deputy Chief

Contact

Questions? If you have questions about the…

• Position (what the job is like, salary, benefits, recruiting events), please contact the Fire Recruiting Unit. See the bottom of this page for contact information.
• Testing Process (what’s on the test, how to do well), please contact the Civil Service Commission Public Safety Test Team. See the bottom of this page for contact information.
• Your Status on the Current Eligible List, see what band is currently being processed(PDF, 124KB) and other selection process information.

If you have additional questions about the job (salary, job responsibilities, etc.), please contact Fire Recruiting at (614) 645-6387. If you have additional questions about the test, please contact Civil Service at (614) 645-0879.