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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the mission of the New York City Fire Department?
Answer: The New York City Fire Department protects the life and property of City residents and visitors from fire and critical health threats. The Department does this through five primary operations: response to fire emergencies; response to medical emergencies; fire prevention, (including code enforcement, building and other inspections); criminal and cause-and-origin investigation; and public fire safety education. In addition, the Fire Department is responsible for responding to calls regarding terrorism, building collapses, hazardous material incidents, vehicular accidents, water main breaks, utility emergencies and other non-fire emergencies.
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What does a Firefighter's job involve?
Answer: Firefighters control and extinguish fires, perform search and rescue at fire emergencies, provide pre-hospital emergency medical care, and perform fire safety education activities. Additionally, they enforce laws, ordinances, rules and regulations regarding the prevention, control and extinguishment of fires. They also respond to non-fire emergencies including terrorist activity, hazardous materials incidents, vehicle accidents, water main breaks and utility emergencies.
And as Firefighters advance in their careers, they also have the opportunity to work for the marine unit, an elite rescue squad, specialized collapse unit or become highly trained fire marshal.
But this is just the beginning -- part of the excitement of being a New York City Firefighter is that you never know what to expect.
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Can a woman become a Firefighter?
Answer: Yes. The Fire Department strongly encourages women to become Firefighters.
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What benefits do you receive as a NYC Firefighter?
Answer: As a NYC Firefighter, you receive a competitive benefits package that includes lifelong medical coverage for you and your family, flexible work schedules, growth opportunities, up to four weeks paid vacation per year, and a generous pension after 20 years of service.
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What is the starting salary?
Answer: Firefighters receive a base salary of $36,400 to start. After one year, Firefighters earn $38,194 (with $6,153 in fringe). After just five years on the job, they earn $68,475 (with $18,043 in fringe).
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When can I file for the exam?
Answer: The Open Competitive Examination is administered once every four years. We anticipate the next Written Examination to be given in early 2011, with the Filing Period taking place during the end of 2010.
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When is the next Written Examination?
Answer: The Open Competitive Firefighter Exam is administered once every four years. There was a Written Examination on January 20, 2007. We anticipate that the next Written Exam will take place in early 2011.
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Does the Written Examination test my knowledge of firefighting or the FDNY?
Answer: No. The Written Examination is a test that gauges a candidate’s ability to learn and perform the work of a Firefighter. It may include questions on reading comprehension, problem solving, spatial recognition and applying rules to general concepts.
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After I pass The Test, what should I expect?
Answer: After taking The Test passers names will be placed in final score order on an eligible list. Eligibles will be contacted as their names are reached on the list for completion of a medical and psychological examination as well as a background investigation. If eligibles meet all the requirements set forth on the Notice of Examination for Firefighter, they will be considered for appointment.
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Where can I find an application?
Answer: You can find them online on the application page or call (718) 999-FDNY.
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Do you have to be a New York City resident to be a NYC Firefighter?
Answer: No. However, you must live in Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Nassau or Suffolk County if you do not reside in the five boroughs of New York City.
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Do you have to live in New York City or New York State to file or take the examination?
Answer: No, it does not matter where you live when you file for or take the Firefighter Exam. However, when you are appointed you must live in either the five boroughs of New York City or in Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Nassau or Suffolk County.
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Can you receive extra points on the exam if you live in NYC?
Answer: Yes. Five points will be added to the final exam score of those candidates who live in the five boroughs of New York City. For specific requirements see the Notice of Examination.
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Do you have to be a United States citizen to be a NYC Firefighter?
Answer: Yes, United States citizenship is required at the time of appointment.
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What are the age requirements?
Answer: Pursuant to Section 54 of the New York Civil Service Law and Section 15-103 of the Administrative Code, you must be at least 17 and a half years of age by the end of the application period and you must not have reached your 29th birthday by the beginning of the application period to be eligible to take the Firefighter Examination. You must have reached your 21st birthday to be eligible for appointment.
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Are age requirements illegal?
Answer: Age requirements are not illegal. The Federal Age Discrimination In Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) was amended in 1995 to allow states and political subdivisions of states to impose age limitations for hiring and retirement of police officers and Firefighters as long as the requirement was in effect prior to March 3, 1983, and in certain other circumstances. [Title 29, United States Code, Section 623(j)]. Accordingly, the Fire Department is authorized by federal law to impose a maximum age for the hiring of Firefighters.
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Can the age requirement be waived?
Answer: No. The only exception to the age requirement is for persons who were engaged in military duty as defined in Section 243 of the New York State Military Law. They may deduct from their age the length of time spent in such military duty provided the total deduction for military duty does not exceed six years.
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What is a CFR-D?
Answer: CFR-D is short for Certified First Responder with Defibrillation.
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Is a CFR-D certificate required before appointment?
Answer: No, it is not required at time of appointment. However, you will need to have a CFR-D certificate by the end of your probationary period and maintain it throughout your employment. If you do not possess a CFR-D certificate at time of appointment the FDNY provides a CFR-D training program during the Firefighter training course at a cost of $775. If you successfully complete the course and receive your CFR-D certificate payroll deduction will commence at a rate of $30 per pay period until the cost is recouped by the FDNY.
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Do you get extra points on the Firefighter exam for having your CFR-D or EMT certification?
Answer: No.
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What is the legacy credit?
Answer: The legacy credit allows 10 additional points to be added to the final score of any applicant with a parent who has died while in discharge of his or her duties as a Police Officer or Firefighter; and a candidate who is the sibling of a Police Officer or Firefighter who was killed in service of New York City as a result of the World Trade Center attack on September 11, 2001. For specific requirements see the Notice of Examination.
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Do I have to have a driver's license to be a Firefighter?
Answer: Yes, you need a driver's license valid in New York State to be appointed as a New York City Firefighter.
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Do the 15 college credits have to be in any special area of study?
Answer: No, any course of study is acceptable. However, these credits must be obtained from an university, institution, school or college accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.
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Can you get extra credit for courses in the field of Fire Science, Police Science or emergency medicine?
Answer: No, we do not give extra credit for specialized courses.
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Can I get extra credit for firefighting experience in other municipalities or countries?
Answer: No.
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Can I transfer from another fire service to the FDNY without having to take the test?
Answer: No.
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How can I get more information?
Answer: For more information please call (718) 999-FDNY, or dial 311 and ask about the Firefighter Examination.
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