Minimum Requirements

• 18 years old
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid Hawaiʻi State Driver’s License (Type 3) Prior to Appointment

Applications must be submitted online to be accepted. 

Complete the online Job Interest Card to receive an e-mail notification when the position is posted. 

• Select the “Fire & EMS” box.
• Click the “Subscribe” button.
• Input your name and e-mail address.
• Click the “Submit” button.
• Verify your e-mail address.

The fire fighter exam does not require you to have any special knowledge of fire fighting or the fire department. The multiple-choice question exam includes:

• Reading Comprehension
• Mathematical Skills
• Mechanical Reasoning
• Logical Reasoning
• Human Relations
• Maps
• Diagrams

Candidates who pass the written test will be placed on the Fire Fighter Recruit I eligible list. Eligible candidates are referred to the HFD in order of their written test score starting with the highest score as vacancies occur. The eligible list is effective for at least one year from the date of establishment and may be extended by the DHR.

Candidates will be required to pass a PAT and should prepare themselves by remaining physically fit. The PAT will assess candidates’ physical ability to perform the essential functions and duties of a Fire Fighter Recruit I. Specific information regarding the PAT will be provided to candidates as they are scheduled. The best written test scores are scheduled first.

Candidates who pass the PAT will be scheduled for an interview in order of their written test score starting with the highest score as anticipated vacancies occur. The HFD will conduct an interview/assessment based on job-related requirements.

Fire Fighter Recruits must possess sound moral character, integrity, and credibility in addition to the ability to provide emergency fire services. They must have the ability to make sound judgments in emergency situations. Each candidate’s character and background (including a criminal history records check) will be reviewed to determine suitability for employment.

The DHR will review criminal convictions, dismissals from employment, and separations from military service under other than honorable conditions to determine suitability for employment. In addition, the candidate’s driving records may also be reviewed. Due to the nature of the position, candidates will be required to be fingerprinted as part of their employment suitability review. The DHR will review criminal history record information from the Hawaiʻi Criminal Justice Data Center and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

NOTE: At the time of interview/assessment with the HFD, candidates will be required to submit a copy of their driver’s license and may also be required to submit copies of current traffic abstracts.

Candidates must meet the medical requirements established for the City and County of Honolulu for the position of Fire Fighter Recruit I. If selected, a medical examination will be administered to determine whether the candidate meets the standards for:

• Vision
  • Near and far corrected visual acuity must be 20/30 binocular or better.
  • For wearers of glasses or contact lenses (gas permeable or hard), far uncorrected visual acuity must be 20/100 binocular or better.
  • Successful long-term soft contact lens wearers have no far uncorrected visual acuity standard, provided they have worn their contacts six months or more.
  • Color vision must be adequate to distinguish red, green, and amber.
  • Significant decrement in visual field performance in either eye is unacceptable.
• Hearing
• Physical
  • Blood Test
  • Electrocardiogram
  • Pulmonary Function Test (Lung Capacity)
  • Cardiovascular Function
  • Nervous System

Candidates who do not meet the medical requirements will be disqualified.

The HFD is a drug-free work place.

Upon selection and placement into a Fire Fighter Recruit I class, recruits must complete all requirements of the HFD Fire Fighter Recruit Training Program. This will include compliance with the requirements of all participating training facilities and completion of approximately 34 weeks of recruit training with a satisfactory grade in all subjects, e.g., fire operations and procedures, hose evolutions, ladder drills, forcible entry, salvage, emergency medical care, rescue procedures, operation of fire trucks, advanced lifesaving and water safety, etc.

• Fire Fighting Skills and Tactics
• Emergency Medical Technician-Basic
• Water Safety
• Fire Apparatus Driver Training
• Hazardous Materials Awareness

All Fire Fighter Recruits must successfully pass an initial probationary period before becoming a regular Civil Service member. Currently, the initial probationary period is one year, but the duration is subject to collective bargaining.

Required certificates earned through the Fire Fighter Recruit Training Program must be maintained on a current basis thereafter.

Passing an annual physical examination administered by the City Physician is also a requirement for continued employment in this class.

$61,404 per year*

*Subject to change based on the collective bargaining agreement.

• Fire Fighter I
• Fire Fighter II
  • Battalion Chief’s Aide
  • Fire Dispatch Operator
  • Hazardous Materials Technician
  • Rescue Specialist
  • Tiller Driver
• Fire Fighter III
  • Apparatus Operator
  • Fire Inspector
  • Fire Investigator
• Helicopter Pilot
• Fire Captain
• Battalion Chief
• Assistant Chief
• Deputy Chief
• Fire Chief