How to Get Hired at Long Beach Fire: The Fire Recruit Process

John Nelson — Firefighter/Paramedic · Helicopter Paramedic Rescuer · former U.S. Navy SAR Medical Technician Updated July 27, 2026 · 2 min read

The Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) protects the city, the Port of Long Beach, the airport, and the beach line from about 23 stations — structure, marine, and lifeguard operations in one department. Entry is through the Fire Recruit classification. Here is the current path and how to prepare. Confirm details on the official site, longbeach.gov/fire.

Basic requirements

18 or older with a high school diploma or GED
A valid driver's license
A Cal-JAC CPAT card dated within the posting's stated window (roughly the year before the deadline)
Completion of the FCTC written examination
A valid California or NREMT EMT certificate by the time of conditional job offer

The selection process

Complete the FCTC written and the Cal-JAC CPAT — LBFD requires both, with the CPAT dated inside the window printed on the recruitment.
Apply during an open Fire Recruit posting on the City of Long Beach job portal — windows are short and announced in advance.
Selection and interviews.
Conditional offer — EMT certification (California or NREMT) is verified at this stage.
Background, medical, and psychological evaluation, then the LBFD academy covering suppression, hazmat, rescue, EMS, and port-specific operations.

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How to prepare

The FCTC written: four sections — recall, mechanical reasoning, math, and technical reading. Prep with the firefighter written exam guide and practice tests.
The CPAT: mind the date window on the posting; train with the CPAT training plan and review all 8 CPAT events.
The oral board: LBFD looks for candidates who understand its port and marine mission. Rehearse the firefighter oral board and prep for the chief's interview.

Frequently asked questions

Does Long Beach Fire use the FCTC written test and CPAT?

Yes. Recent Fire Recruit postings require completion of the FCTC written examination and a Cal-JAC CPAT card dated within a specific window — roughly the twelve months before the filing deadline. Check the current posting for exact dates.

When does Long Beach Fire verify EMT certification?

A valid California or National Registry EMT certification is required at the time of conditional job offer, not at application. Many candidates finish EMT school while waiting for the recruitment to open.

Does Long Beach Fire hire ambulance operators?

Yes — LBFD staffs civilian Ambulance Operator positions on its BLS units, and many Long Beach firefighters started there. It is a paid way to run EMS calls in the city and build a competitive file for Fire Recruit.

The Firefighter Hiring Roadmap

Every step from where you are now to a badge — certs, the written, the CPAT, the oral board, background, academy — with the honest timeline for each. Written by a working Firefighter/Paramedic. We'll email you the guide and the occasional hiring-window heads-up. Unsubscribe in one click.

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