Pasadena Fire to Open Recruitment Process

The Pasadena Fire Department will open its recruitment process soon to fill several vacancies.

According to Pasadena Public Information Officer Lisa Derderian, the department is looking to fill positions.

Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin said PFD has recently achieved the lowest number of vacancies in nearly 15 years but still has open slots.

“Our current vacancy number is eight,” Augustin said. “With expected retirements and other separations over the next year, we expect that number to be around 20. Our goal is to keep a single-digit vacancy rate. I expect we will need to have 1-2 academies per year for the foreseeable future to maintain this goal. We are currently working towards a late April goal for our next academy of 15-20 recruits, with recruitment starting in the next 1-2 weeks.”

In a report to the Public Safety Committee in October, the department said its dwindling ranks result from employee retirement, the lure of competitive opportunities in Southern California due to longer wildfire seasons, employee burnout and lack of consistent recruitment activities in past years.

According to the department, from 2017 to 2021, an average of 10 personnel have resigned while an additional 4.4 have retired every year.

According to a flier, which announces the recruitment as coming soon, the department boasts a 28/96 schedule, progressive training, exemplary EMS delivery, overtime opportunities, aggressive firefighting, strong leadership, special events and a world-class city.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, CA State FF1 status, EMT or paramedic, firefighter candidate testing center exam required.

The application filing period opens February 3 and closes at midnight on February 17.