How to Get Hired at Denver Fire: The Entry-Level Firefighter Process
The Denver Fire Department (DFD) fields roughly 1,000 uniformed members across about 40 firehouses — the largest municipal department in the Rocky Mountain region. Hiring runs through Denver's Civil Service Commission, which publishes a detailed informational booklet each cycle. Here is the path and how to prepare. Confirm current details at denvergov.org.
Basic requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent and a valid driver's license
- Online application through the Civil Service Commission
- A passing NTN written test (about two hours)
- CPAT completion
- Obtain and maintain EMT certification, with renewal training required
- Vision: 20/20 binocular with or without correction per recent booklets; uncorrected no worse than 20/100 binocular for glasses or hard-contact wearers
The selection process
- Apply online through Denver's Civil Service Commission during an open cycle — the commission's entry-level firefighter booklet spells out each step and is updated several times a year.
- NTN written test — approximately two hours through the National Testing Network.
- CPAT — the eight fireground events; Denver treats it as a core gate.
- Background investigation, polygraph/integrity steps, and interviews per the commission's process.
- Medical and psychological evaluation, then the DFD academy — EMT certification must be obtained and maintained.
Knowing the process is step one. Being ready for each gate is the rest. Tailboard covers the written, the physical, and the oral board for one hiring season.
How to prepare
- The written test: NTN formats reward familiarity — prep with the firefighter written exam guide and timed practice tests.
- The CPAT: Denver's altitude makes conditioning honest. Follow the CPAT training plan and read why people fail the CPAT.
- The interview and background: the commission process is document-heavy — get ahead with the background check and psych eval guide, and rehearse the firefighter oral board.
Frequently asked questions
How does Denver Fire test entry-level candidates?
Denver's Civil Service Commission administers the process: an online application, a written test through the National Testing Network (about two hours), the CPAT physical ability test, plus background, medical, and psychological evaluations.
What are Denver Fire's vision requirements?
Recent informational booklets require visual acuity of 20/20 binocular with or without correction, and uncorrected acuity must be 20/100 binocular or better for wearers of glasses or hard contacts. Full medical standards are listed in the commission's informational booklet.
Do I need to be an EMT before applying to Denver Fire?
You do not need EMT certification to start the process, but you must obtain and maintain EMT certification as a condition of the job, with ongoing renewal training. Details are in the entry-level firefighter booklet at denvergov.org.