Help Your Community
Fill out the application below!
The most valuable asset in the fire departments arsenal is by far its members. The men and women who volunteer their time, services and lives with the community come from various lifestyles and backgrounds. From teens to those in their 50’s; all bring a breath of talent, expertise or experience which produce top notch firefighters. Due to our goal of providing top notch fire and rescue services we have strict guidelines of who can volunteer to be a firefighter; but we do have a need for other administrative and field positions as well.
Some positions of interest, other than firefighter, include (but not limited to):
- Office Assistant (clerical work and answering phones)
- Videographer/Photographer (with the ability to run calls strictly for this purpose)
- IT Support
- Software Engineer
- Web Design
Below is a list of basic requirements for becoming a firefighter with the Kaufman Fire Department:
- 18 years or older.
- Valid Texas Class C or above drivers license.
- Clear criminal background (not including misdamenor traffic violations).
- Must be willing to submit and pass random drug screenings.
- Ability to work well under a strict Chain of Command.
- Ability to work well with others.
- Desire and ability to self teach basic fire/rescue techniques and terminology.
- Desire and ability to perform life threatening tasks IN ADDITION to daily maintenance tasks (ie. cleaning equipment and vehicles, filing paperwork, etc).
If you meet the above requirements and wish to join the elite group of men and women that call themselves Kaufman Firefighters, or you have other abilities that could benefit the department, fill out a contact form and a member of our recruitment team will contact you shortly.
Learn more about the onboarding process
Step 1: Physical Agility:
- Description: Successfully complete the following tasks within six and a half (6.5) minutes while wearing a bunker coat, gloves, helmet and an SCBA.
- Scale: Pass or Fail
- Down Fire Fighter simulator – Dragging the Dummy (165lbs), the Candidate must drag the dummy a distance of 100ft. This task must be completed in a controlled manner and unsupportive.
- Equipment Carry – Using (2) 30lb dumbbells, the Candidate must walk 75ft forward, go around a cone and then return 75ft, placing the dumbbells back in their original location. This task must be completed in a controlled manner and unsupportive.
- Ladder Raise – Using a stationary 24’ extension ladder, the Candidate must raise the ladder, utilizing each rung, 5 rungs above the roof line and place it an approved climbing angle. For safety reasons, this task will be performed with the assistance of a CFD member but must be completed in a controlled manner.
- Ladder Climb – Using the previously raised ladder, the Candidate must then climb the ladder, touch the edge of the roof line (not the peak) and back down a total of (3) times. Each run must be utilized and both feet must touch the ground, coming completely off the ladder, before he/she can climb again. For safety reasons, this task will be performed with the assistance of a KVFD member but must be completed in a controlled manner.
- Ladder Lower – Using the previously raised ladder, the Candidate must lower the ladder to its properly stored position and place it back on the ground. For safety reasons, this task will be performed with the assistance of a CFD member but must be completed in a controlled manner.
- Ventilation Simulation – Using a tractor tire and an 8lb sledge hammer, the Candidate must perform (20) overhead strikes or chops. The head of the sledge hammer must come above the candidates head and strike the tire each time for the strike to count. This task must be performed in a controlled manner and unsupportive.
- Hose Coupling and Drag – Using (2) 50’ sections of 3in hose, the Candidate must properly connect the two sections together, walk 50’ and immediately kneel to the ground and pull all 100’ of hose past a cone. The task must be performed in a controlled manner and unsupportive.
- Attack Hose Advancement – Using (2) 50’ sections of 1 ¾ hose charged to 100 PSI, the Candidate must advance the hose 75’ while spraying water. This task must be performed in a controlled manner and unsupportive.
Step 2: SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) Confidence Course:
- Description: Non-timed event in which the Candidate must don a completely dark SCBA mask and air pack and navigate a pre-planned course.
- Scale: Pass or Fail
NOTES:
In between all events, the Candidate must walk. The pace of the walk is to be set by the Candidate. If the proctor(s) deems the pace as running, a warning shall be given.
If the Candidate performs an act that is deemed unsafe by the proctor(s), he/she shall be given a warning.
Two warnings shall result in automatic failure of the Physical Agility Test and the time will stop.
If the Candidate is 15 minutes late to his/her scheduled start time, or fails to show up, he/she shall be categorized as “Fail” and can reapply after 6 months.
Step 3: Candidate Oral Interview Panel
- Description: Upon successful completion of Steps 1-2, the Candidate shall be scheduled for the Candidate Oral Interview Panel, where he/she will be asked a series of pre-determined questions. Each response given will be graded based on a point scale system (1=poor, 3=average and 5=excellent). A passing grade of 65% is needed to pass.
- The interview can be scheduled the same day as the Physical Agility Test, at the discretion of the Oral Interview Panel members.
- Scale: Pass or Fail
Step 4: Chief’s Oral Interview
- Description: Upon successful completion of Step 3, the Candidate shall be scheduled for the Chief’s Oral Interview.
- Scale: Pass or Fail
Step 5: Urinalysis and Background
- Description: Upon successful completion of Step 4, the Candidate shall be scheduled for a urinalysis and background check (Paid for by KVFD).
- Scale: Pass or Fail
Step 6: Probationary Firefighter
- Description: Upon successful completion of Step 5, the Candidate shall be hired on to KVFD as a Probationary Firefighter for 1 year.