Applicant Phase
Q: Is there an age requirement for applying to the San Antonio Fire Department?
Q: Do you make any exceptions on the age limit, such as for prior military service?
Q: On the application, how far back do we need to go for the moving traffic violation convictions?
Q: What if I can't remember the dates, offenses or action taken on the tickets?
Q: What if I have a general under honorable discharge?
Q: What does moral turpitude mean?
Q: Does prior experience in firefighting help my chances?
Q: How often does the San Antonio Fire Dept. test for Firefighter Trainee positions?
Q: Does it cost to take the entrance examination?
Q: How many questions are on the test?
Q: How many people will take the test?
Q: Are there any recommended study material(s) that will help prepare me for the written examination?
Q: How soon after taking the written exam will I know my score?
Q: What if there are two applicants with the same test score? How do you rank them on the eligibility list?
Candidate Phase
Q: What activities are on the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)?
Q: How soon is the CPAT after the written exam?
Q: If appointed for the San Antonio Fire Academy, do I have to pay for the training?
Q: What if I'm still in the military and my discharge date isn't until after the cadet school begins?
Candidate Phase
Q: How long is the cadet school? Is it in San Antonio? What are the hours?
Q: I am already an EMT, do I still have to get certified?
Q: After graduating from the Academy, do you get to pick at which fire station you work?
General Employment
Q: Is there special assignment pay?
Q: Will I be allowed military leave time?
Q: If I have a Master's Degree will this affect my pay?
Applicant Phase Q&A
Q: Is there an age requirement for applying to the San Antonio Fire Department? To Top
A: Yes, applicants must be between the ages of 19 and 34. More info on Applicant Minimum Qualifications.
Q: Do you make any exceptions on the age limit, such as for prior military service? To Top
A: No, there are no exceptions made for our age requirement, and prior military service does not influence the set limits. More info on Applicant Minimum Qualifications.
Q: On the application, how far back do we need to go for the moving traffic violation convictions? To Top
A: Within the 12 months preceding the date of taking the written examination. More info on Applicant Minimum Qualifications.
Q: What if I can't remember the dates, offenses or action taken on the tickets? To Top
A: You must include the dates, offenses and action taken. For accuracy, go to your state and local law enforcement agency and request a copy of your driving and criminal record.
Q: What if I have a general under honorable discharge?To Top
A: One of the minimum qualifications states that the applicant can not have any discharge from the Armed Forces other than honorable or uncharacterized (entry level separation). More info on Applicant Minimum Qualifications.
Q: What does moral turpitude mean? To Top
A: Some offenses which have been declared by the Judiciary to involve moral turpitude are theft, swindling, burglary, tax evasion, forgery, perjury, bribery, sale of narcotics, etc.
Q: Does prior experience in firefighting help my chances? To Top
A: Our minimum qualification is that the applicant have a GED or a high school diploma. Prior experience will be taken into consideration, but it will not necessarily help or hurt your chances.
Q: How often does the San Antonio Fire Dept. test for Firefighter Trainee positions? To Top
A: Pursuant to state law, the SAFD accepts applications and tests once a year. For date, time, and location visit the Recruiting - Applicant Phase page on this website.
Q: Does it cost to take the entrance examination? To Top
A: No. There is no cost to take the entrance examination.
Q: How many questions are on the test? To Top
A: The examination is 2 hours and 30 minutes and there are 100 questions.
Q: How many people will take the test? To Top
A: In the past we have had approximately two thousand people show up for the test.
Q: Are there any recommended study material(s) that will help prepare me for the written examination? To Top
A: When you submit your application you will be given a study guide that will familiarize you with the types of questions on the exam. Applicants who have taken the written exam in the past have stated that "Firefighter" by ARCO and "Firefighter Exams" by BARRONS are helpful supplements to the study guide. These books can be purchased at major bookstores. Also, The Encyclopedia of Firefighter Examinations (Vol. 1), which can be purchased at www.fireprep.com or 1-800-989-FIRE.
Q: How soon after taking the written exam will I know my score? To Top
A: You will receive your score on the day of the exam. However, it will take six to eight weeks following the exam to know your rank on the eligibility list.
Q: What if there are two applicants with the same test score? How do you rank them on the eligibility list? To Top
A: After taking the written exam, applicants are asked to draw a number. They are then directed to the scoring table where that number is attached to their answer sheet. If several applicants receive the same score, the numbers that were drawn will determine the ranking on the eligibility list pursuant to the score received.
Candidate Phase Q&A
Q: What activities are on the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)? To Top
A: The CPAT is made up of eight separate events that are meant to simulate the strenuous, physical activities a Firefighter would have to do when responding to a fire. The CPAT is a timed, pass/fail test. More information about the CPAT.
Q: How soon is the CPAT after the written exam? To Top
A: The CPAT can be given anywhere between eight weeks to one year following the written exam.
Q: If appointed for the San Antonio Fire Academy, do I have to pay for the training? To Top
A: No. The training will be provided by the San Antonio Fire Dept. at no charge. In fact, once you begin training you will be paid a salary. More information about Firefighter Wages & Benefits.
Q: What if I'm still in the military and my discharge date isn't until after the cadet school begins? To Top
A: The San Antonio Fire Department will offer you a position in the cadet class. If you are unable to accept, your name will be dropped from consideration. However, the military does offer an early out program that you may want to consider.
Cadet Phase Q&A
Q: How long is the cadet school? Is it in San Antonio? What are the hours? To Top
A: The cadet school is approximately five and one-half months. It is conducted in San Antonio at the Fire Academy located at 300 S. Callaghan Rd. Cadets report to training Monday through Friday from 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM However, during the Emergency Medical Training course, your hours may vary.
Q: I am already an EMT, do I still have to get certified? To Top
A: If you are already an EMT through the State of Texas, you will not have to take the State certification test. You will still have to participate in the five week program, and pass the tests administered through the UT Health Science Center system.
Q: After graduating from the Academy, do you get to pick at which fire station you work? To Top
A: At the end of the cadet class, you will be given a list of what openings are available in the department. You will have an opportunity to select three locations, but there is no guarantee you will get your selection.
General Employment Q&A
Q: Is there special assignment pay? To Top
A: Yes. We have various special pay scales. EMS, Hazmat, Arson, Rescue and Aviation are some of the divisions that receive special pay. More information about Firefighter Wages & Benefits.
Q: Will I be allowed military leave time? To Top
A: The SAFD offer up to 15 working days annually for military leave. There is also vacation time and trading of time that one can exercise, if needed. More information about Firefighter Wages & Benefits.
Q: If I have a Master's Degree will this affect my pay? To Top
A: Yes, there is incentive pay for achieving different educational levels. More information about Firefighter Wages & Benefits.
For recruiting questions, or how to get into the Fire Dept., please contact:
Recruiting Office
215 S. San Saba, Suite 107
San Antonio, Texas 78207
(210)207-8427
E-mail:SAFDRecruit
If you are on an active ELIGIBILITY LIST and have questions about your current status OR an upcoming CPAT, click here to send e-mail to: Applicant Processing
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