St. Petersburg Fire Rescue (SPFR) is an internationally accredited department and maintains an ISO Property Protection Class 1 Rating. The department provides fire and EMS service to over 300,000 citizens in and outside of the city limits. SPFR is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce made up of motivated individuals who are dynamic, team-oriented, physically fit, and who possess good moral character.
Service is delivered through 10 ALS Rescue Units, 3 Peak Time Rescue Units, 4 ALS Engine Companies, and 9 ALS Up/Down Engine Companies.
Call our SPFR Hiring Information Voicemail Number: 727-551-3319
The Pathway for Paramedic (Non-Firefighter) Application Period is open. More information.
The Pathway for Certified Firefighter/EMT and Firefighter/Paramedic Application Period is open. More information.
Pathway for Paramedic (Non-Firefighter) Candidates
SPFR is currently accepting applications for the position of Pathway for Paramedic (Non-Firefighter).
Initial Steps
Step One
Review the Paramedic Step-by-Step Process.
Step Two
Visit the City of St. Pete Jobs page to check for new openings.
Eligibility
- Possess and maintain a Paramedic Certificate from the State of Florida and/or the National Registry.
- Possess a valid high school diploma or GED equivalency.
- Possess and maintain a valid State of Florida Driver License.
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Be a non-user of tobacco products (either on or off duty) for at least 1 year prior to the date of application, and, if hired, must remain tobacco free as a condition of continued employment.
- Meet all criteria of the City’s current Selection Standards for Paramedic Positions.
Full Application Process
- Apply through the City’s employment website
- Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ)
- PHQ Interview
- Polygraph and Background Investigation
- Administrative Interview
- Chief's Interview (Selected Applicants Only)
Fast Facts
- Paramedics are integrated with dual-cert personnel and have access to free parking, fitness equipment, kitchen appliances, and restrooms, along with the opportunity to participate in joint training sessions to enhance skills and crew cohesion.
- 12-hour, daytime shifts are assigned. If a state of local emergency is declare, it is possible personnel will be assigned to work overnights, as SPFR personnel are designated as emergency critical.
- Units respond to incidents from their assigned fire station, unless they happen to be out of the station, on their way back from an incident, training, or another reason. The deployment strategy is not system status.
- Overtime work and City of St. Petersburg special events opportunities are available.
- SPFR will cover the cost of Continuing Medical Education (CME) for Paramedics, including attendance while on-duty or on overtime, as approved. (Example: Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), Emergency Pediatric Care (EPC), Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS)
- Paramedics are expected to complete Pinellas County EMS Academy, Phase Testing, and Capstone to become a County-Cleared Paramedic. This training is provided paid and on-duty.
- Advancement opportunities are available to become a department preceptor, college Paramedic preceptor, and Pinellas County EMS/CME instructor.
- Paramedics who serve one year with SPFR and remain in good standing will be eligible to be sponsored through Fire Academy. Paramedics who are sponsored through Fire Academy are assigned to a 40-hour work week while continuing to earn a salary.
- Paramedics begin position on probation for one year.
- Units are assigned to non-transport units, a four-door passenger truck style vehicle. (Example: Ford F-550)
- Paramedics will be paid for their full-time Paramedic experience prior to SPFR. Example: If a Paramedic worked at a hospital or transport service full-time for three years, their starting pay will be “Step 3”, as seen in the below chart (FY2025). Each Fiscal Year (FY), these salary ranges are subject to change beginning on October 1st.
- Benefits include 8-weeks of parental leave following birth, adoption, or foster, and access to tuition reimbursement, Tampa Bay Psychology Associates, and the City Wellness Center for primary care. This includes an annual LIFESCAN physical.
Paramedic Pay
| Experience | 1 year | 2-3 years | 4-8 years | 9+ years | ||||||
| FY25 Paramedic | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $25.14 | $26.48 | $27.89 | $29.37 | $30.94 | $32.59 | $34.32 | $36.15 | $38.07 | $40.10 |
| Salary | $54,909 | $57,832 | $60,911 | $64,154 | $67,569 | $71,166 | $74,954 | $78,944 | $83,147 | $87,573 |
Pathway for Certified Firefighter/EMT and Firefighter/Paramedic Candidates
SPFR is currently accepting applications for Certified Firefighter/EMT and Firefighter/Paramedic Candidates.
Initial Steps
Step One
Step Two
Apply through the National Testing Network Website.
Step Three
Achieve a passing score on the “Fire Team” curriculum and Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). All applicants must meet St. Petersburg's current Selection Standards for Firefighter Positions.
Step Four
Applicants selected from the NTN pool will be sent a PHQ for further processing.
Full Application Process
- National Testing Network (NTN) application
- Fire Team test through NTN
- Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)
- Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ)
- PHQ Interview
- Background Investigation
- Polygraph
- Chief's Interview (Selected Applicants Only)
Documents
Cadets (Non-Certified)
SPFR is not accepting applications at this time. For additional information on our hiring processes, we can be reached at spfrjobs@stpete.org.
-->The Firefighter Cadet program is a full sponsorship program to train and certify selected candidates to become Firefighter/EMTs while working as paid employees of the City of St. Petersburg. The Fire Cadet position is designed to provide motivated individuals with a firefighter and emergency medical services career path opportunity with St. Petersburg Fire Rescue as Firefighter/EMT's. Individuals hired as Fire Cadets will be provided with the training required to obtain Firefighter 2 and EMT certifications through the State of Florida. The Fire Cadet is then eligible to be transitioned into a Firefighter classification.
Process
Step One
Review the Fire Cadet Step-by-Step Process.
Step Two
Check the City of St. Pete Jobs page to check for new openings.
Eligibility
- Motivated Individuals seeking employment with SPFR.
- Individuals with NO prior EMS or Fire experience needed.
- Individuals that still need one or both Firefighter 1 & 2/EMT certificates.
- Review the Selection Standards.
Non-Uniform Careers
Visit the City of St. Pete Jobs page to check for current non-uniform opportunities.
Benefits
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Excellent pay
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75% paid health insurance premiums
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Pension accrual of a 3% multiplier per year for all creditable years of service
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Fully vested in the pension after 10 years of creditable service
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7 year Deferred Retirement Option Plan
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Vacation accrual rates starting at 175.5 hours per year, increasing throughout career
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1 Relief Day every 7 shifts
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10 paid holidays for individuals working the 24/48 hour schedule
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Educational leave and tuition reimbursement