Join the Dayton Fire Department
Courage in action. Service in community.
If you’re pursuing a career that offers meaningful work, the chance to make a real difference in your community, the excitement of responding to a wide range of unique and challenging emergencies, and the opportunity to build lifelong friendships, the Dayton Fire Department is looking for you. Our team is dedicated to protecting Dayton with professionalism, compassion, and pride—and we’re seeking individuals ready to rise to that calling.
Applications will open in January 2027.
Benefits
Paid training, opportunities for specialization and advancement are just a few of the benefits which make the Dayton Fire Department a great choice for anyone seeking a career in EMS and firefighting.
Compensation Rates for 2026 are as Follows:
| Position | Rate | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firefighter/EMT | Hourly | $30.58 | $31.82 | $33.02 | $34.39 | $35.73 | $37.19 | $38.67 | $40.52 |
| Weekly | $1,223.34 | $1,272.83 | $1,320.97 | $1,375.41 | $1,429.40 | $1,487.43 | $1,546.82 | $1,620.61 | |
| Annually | $63,613.73 | $66,187.18 | $68,690.44 | $71,521.24 | $74,328.64 | $77,346.60 | $80,434.74 | $84,271.52 | |
| Firefighter/Paramedic | Hourly | $33.03 | $34.37 | $35.67 | $37.14 | $38.59 | $40.16 | $41.76 | $43.76 |
| Weekly | $1,321.21 | $1,374.66 | $1,426.65 | $1,485.44 | $1,543.75 | $1,606.43 | $1,670.57 | $1,750.25 | |
| Annually | $68,702.82 | $71,482.15 | $74,185.68 | $77,242.94 | $80,274.93 | $86,534.32 | $86,869.52 | $91,013.24 | |
| EMT | Hourly | $20.01 | $20.59 | $21.18 | $21.76 | $22.44 | |||
| Weekly | $800.38 | $823.77 | $847.17 | $870.56 | $897.56 | ||||
| Annually | $41,619.72 | $42,836.26 | $44,052.80 | $45,269.34 | $46,673.04 | ||||
| Paramedic | Hourly | $26.47 | $27.54 | $28.71 | $29.91 | $31.13 | $32.44 | $33.80 | $35.44 |
| Weekly | $1,058.68 | $1,101.42 | $1,148.21 | $1,196.35 | $1,245.39 | $1,297.58 | $1,352.01 | $1,417.70 | |
| Annually | $55,051.15 | $57,273.68 | $59,706.76 | $62,210.03 | $64,760.08 | $67,473.90 | $70,304.70 | $73,720.37 |
Step 1 is 6 months, and each additional step is 12 months.
Aetna Health Insurance
- Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) options: $1,500 [single plan] or $3,000 [family plan] provided annually by the City of Dayton
- Prescription coverage
- Vision and Dental Insurance
- Eye exams and glasses/contacts
- Dental contains orthodontic coverage
Life Insurance
- Group life insurance in amount of $20,000
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment in amount of $20,000
- Also available to family members
Working Hours
- Firefighters work a 24-hour shift, followed by 48 hours off
- EMTs and Paramedics work a 24-hour shift, followed by 48 hours off
- Based on a 40-hour workweek platoon schedule with 8 hours of overtime per week
- 12 Paid Vacation Days per year
- 15 Paid Sick Days per year
- 13 Paid Holidays per year
- 17 Earned Days Off (EDOs)
Seniority/Longevity Incentives
- Yearly bonus of up to 2% of base pay
- Additional vacation days added every 4 years of service, up to 108 additional vacation hours
- Up to $400 yearly for physical fitness incentive
Educational Incentive
- $550 – $1350 for post-secondary education degree
Paid Court Attendance
- Get paid a minimum of two hours at time and one-half pay
Overtime Opportunities
- Firefighters earn 1.5x base pay for every hour worked over 48 per week
- EMTs and Paramedics earn 1.5x base pay for every hour worked over 40 per week
- Take advantage of this opportunity to increase your income while making a difference
Compensatory Time Option
- Earn compensatory time off in lieu of any overtime pay
- May accumulate up to 240 earned hours of compensatory time
Platoon Shift Differential Pay
- Earn an extra $450 per year paid biweekly
Additionally, the following benefits and gear are provided:
- Initial uniforms provided
- Fire gear provided
- Earn 8% above regular rate of pay for Firefighter Paramedic
- Accrue 12 hours of vacation per month carry over 360 hours per year
- Parental Leave Pay (6 weeks)
- Military Leave Pay
- Initial Class A uniform provided
- Uniform Allowance of $1,475 per year
Career Advancement
For those interested in advancing through the ranks, several options are available. The ranks of Lieutenant, Captain, and District Chief are attained by way of a competitive Civil Service promotional examination. People in these positions are covered by the Bargaining Unit contract. The ranks above District Chief are made by appointment and are not part of the collective bargaining process.
Firefighters are eligible to sit for the Lieutenant’s exam after 5 years of consecutive accredited service as a sworn Firefighter.
- Chief
- Deputy Chief
- Assistant Chief
- District Chief
- Captain
- Lieutenant
- Firefighter
2026 Lieutenant, Captain, and District Chief pay scales:
- Lieutenant $87,793 to $97,783*
- Captain $101,886 to $113,443*
- District Chief $118,321 to $131,586
*8 percent plus pay for Paramedic Certification
Home Grown Heroes
EMTs, Paramedics and other City employees are eligible to take the firefighter exam for promotion.
The Dayton Fire Department’s Homegrown Heroes campaign celebrates the strength and pride of Dayton by calling on current City employees to step up and serve. It shows future firefighters that they don’t need to look far to make a real impact—heroic careers are waiting right here at home.
Through dynamic outreach, inspiring stories, and community partnerships, Homegrown Heroes empowers Dayton’s next generation to join the department and protect the city they love.
Specializations
The Dayton Fire Department maintains a broad range of specialized units that will allow you to tailor your career to a specific area of interest. These include:
- Hazmat
- High Angle Rescue
- Vehicle Extrication
- Confined Space
- Swift Water Rescure
- Emergency Vehicle Operator
- Trench Rescue
- Structural Collapse
- Rescue Task Force
- Emergency Medicine
- TEMS – Tactical Emergency Medical Support for DPD S.W.A.T.
- Community Paramedicine
- GROW – Get Recovery Options Working (EMT)
Academy Training
Firefighters
All Dayton Firefighters start their careers at the Dayton Fire Academy, which provides extensive and comprehensive training. The academy operates as a structured training environment where recruits report daily from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The training class takes 6 months to complete.
Firefighter recruits at the Dayton Fire Department Training Center learn essential fire suppression skills, emergency medical procedures, rescue operations, and fire inspection safety codes. They train in realistic scenarios to build confidence, teamwork, and quick decision-making under pressure. By the end of the academy, recruits are prepared to serve the Dayton community safely and effectively. Upon successfully completing the State of Ohio’s training curriculum, recruits will be sworn in as Dayton Firefighters.
EMT and Paramedic Academy
All Dayton EMT and Paramedics start their careers at the Dayton Fire Academy, which provides extensive and comprehensive training. The academy operates as a structured training environment where recruits report daily from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The academy class lasts 6 weeks.
EMTs and Paramedics train in realistic scenarios to build confidence, teamwork, and quick decision-making under pressure. By the end of the academy, recruits are prepared to serve the Dayton community safely and effectively. Upon successfully completing the training curriculum, recruits will be sworn in as Dayton EMTs and Paramedics.
The Dayton Fire Training Center is located at 200 McFadden Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45403.
Hiring Process
The Dayton Fire Department is seeking a wide range of applicants to reflect the diversity of the city’s residents. The hiring process is multi-faceted and intensive and consists of the following steps for Firefighter and Firefighter Paramedic. Regarding specific questions about the hiring process, please contact the City of Dayton Civil Service Department at cs@daytonohio.gov or 937-333-2300.
Qualifications
Firefighter
AGE: Must be at least 16 years of age at the time of examination. No person shall be eligible to receive an original appointment as a Firefighter unless the person has reached the age of 18.
No person shall be eligible to receive an original appointment on or after the person’s 41st birthday except recruit candidates who have previously been appointed as a Firefighter in the State of Ohio; with 6 months of experience as a Firefighter, and who have provided proof of previous appointment that was subject to the civil service laws of the State of Ohio.
EDUCATION: Must have a high school diploma or GED at the time of appointment.
WAGE CONSIDERATIONS: In accordance with the 2024-2026 I.A.F.F. contract, when the City hires new fire recruits, who were City or Dayton Fire Department employees, or who were sworn firefighters with another employer, the newly hired fire recruits will move to the step rate of pay that is closest to, but higher than, their current rate of pay. The employee will progress through the contractual wage steps in accordance with the time frames dictated in the wage addenda.
Candidates will be required to provide proof of employment and wage information at the time of offer of employment.
EMT and Paramedic
AGE: Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of examination. No person shall be eligible to receive an original appointment as a Firefighter unless the person has reached the age of 18.
EDUCATION: Must have a high school diploma or GED at the time of appointment
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Must be certified at the time of appointment at least as a State of Ohio Emergency Medical Technician and maintain certification thereafter as a condition of employment. All certifications must be maintained to the standards of the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s EMS Division, as a condition of employment.
WAGE CONSIDERATIONS: In accordance with the 2024-2026 I.A.F.F. contract, when the City hires new EMT and Paramedic personnel, who were City employees, or who were EMT or Paramedic personnel with another employer, the newly hired EMTs or Paramedics will move to the step rate of pay that is closest to, but higher than, their current rate of pay. If the external candidate is paid more than our current rate, they will be moved to the top step of the pay band. The employee will progress through the contractual wage steps in accordance with the time frames dictated in the wage addenda. This language will apply if an external paramedic is hired as a City EMT.
Candidates will be required to provide proof of employment and wage information at the time of offer of employment.
Firefighter, EMT and Paramedic
LICENSE: Must possess a valid Driver’s license at the time of appointment and maintain it as a term and condition of continued employment.
CITIZENSHIP: Not required; however, you must provide documentary evidence of Employment Authorization and Identity.
CHARACTER: Must be of good moral character, have no disqualifying police record of convictions, have a good previous work record, good driving history, and the ability to get along with people. Must pass a complete background investigation including credit history, driving history, previous employment history, and any criminal history you might have on record.
PHYSICAL: A job-related medical examination, including a drug and nicotine screen and cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness testing, will be conducted. Vision without correction must be a minimum of 20/100 in EACH eye. Corrected vision must be a minimum of 20/40 or better in EACH eye. Must not be colorblind.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to successfully pass Greater Miami Valley EMS Council (GMVEMSC) Standing Orders testing at the EMT level annually as a condition of continued employment.
Explorer Program
Fire & EMS Exploring is a hands-on program open to current high school students who want to learn more about a career in fire and emergency services. The local Boy Scouts of America implements the Explorer program.
The Dayton Fire Department’s Explorer program (Post 5) provides exciting activities and mentorship for youth looking to discover their future.
Fire & EMS Exploring Offers the Following Benefits:
- Improved self-confidence
- Leadership experience and social network development
- Fun and exciting “hands-on” career experiences
- Community service opportunities
- College and career readiness preparation
Visit the Exploring website for more information on the program.
For more information on the DFD Explorer program, email Captain Sarah Marshall at Sarah.Marshall@daytonohio.gov.
