Firefighter Testing

Thank you for your interest in employment with the City of Longview Fire Department.

Firefighter Positions

The Longview Fire Department operates two stations and currently has 52 uniformed positions and 1 civilian position which are, with the exception of the Fire Chief, filled as provided by the adopted Civil Service Rules of the City of Longview.

All firefighters are full-time uniformed positions providing first line duty in the protection of life and property of the citizens of the community including fire prevention and fire protection. The City of Longview provides fire service 24 hours a day with uniformed staff assigned to 24-hour shifts. Employees are required to reside within 60 road miles of station 81.

Entry Level Fire Fighters

Entry level firefighters are selected for employment from a Civil Service Eligibility List which is established through a formal civil service recruitment and testing process.

The first two components of entry-level firefighter testing are conducted through PublicSafetyTesting.com. Applicants that are interested in testing and completing the written and Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) should apply by visiting the Public Safety Testing website.

Requirements & Testing

Within 5 year of hire, each employee much obtain an acceptable Associates’ Degree. 

Testing Process

Testing process consists of:

  • Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), a battery of fire-simulated tasks that is strictly administered in compliance with the licensing agreement with the International Association of Fire Fighters. The simulated events are designed to test candidates physical strength and endurance which are both necessary on the job.
  • Oral interviews are scheduled as names are received from the testing agency. Candidates names once established on the City’s eligibility list are valid for one year from the date placed on the list.
  • Oral interviews are scheduled before an interview board for those candidates who have successfully passed the written and CPAT and names have been certified by Public Safety Testing. After testing and interviews, applicants are ranked on an eligibility list. Applicants are considered when vacancies occur based on the Civil Service "Rule of Five" for additional selection screening, including background investigation, and medical evaluation before final offers of employment will be made.
  • Written examination which is a commercially prepared, multiple-choice test with questions relating to general fire fighting practices.