RECRUIT TRAINING

Once offered a position, all candidates must successfully complete our in-house, paid Recruit Training program. Upon successful completion of Recruit School, Firefighter Recruits are assigned to an Operations Division company to complete their probationary year.  Graduation from probationary Firefighter to a regular position occurs one year from date of hire.

The Seattle Fire Department's Recruit Training program is nationally recognized. Seattle was the first fire department in Washington State to receive accreditation for its Firefighter Training Program in a National accreditation system.

In addition to comprehensive classroom instruction, the program includes training in firefighting techniques and equipment use. The Seattle Recruit School is known as a hands-on, drill-intensive training program. Recruits are evaluated daily and must successfully complete all training elements in order to graduate.

This physically and mentally intense 13 1/2 week program consists of approximately 628 hours of training. Study time outside of the 46 hours per week of on-site training is required.  Candidates who are able to meet the challenge of Seattle's Recruit Training program, will earn Firefighter I Certification, as well as training in Technical Rescue, Hazardous Materials and Driver/Pump Operator.

PREPARING FOR RECRUIT TRAINING

Before Recruit Training begins, an Orientation Night is offered by the Seattle Fire Department for both the new Firefighter Recruit and his or her primary partner to learn more about the Training Program and what to expect, as well as ideas on how to prepare for this intensive time.

There are times that the demands on the Recruit may impact family members and/or partners. The Department offers Recruits a number of resources and support systems during this time.

ADVICE FROM RECENT RECRUITS

"If you are the type of personality who likes a challenge and can succeed under pressure, you will succeed in recruit school.  Be prepared to be humble, attentive, studious, and passionate about learning the job of being a Seattle firefighter, regardless of how much or how little experience you have coming in."

"Having had zero previous fire experience, it was a steep learning curve trying to learn new terminology and equipment in such a condensed time...a positive attitude and demeanor will go tremendous distances towards keeping you around, while you get up to speed."

"Set yourself up for success by knowing your weaknesses and working on them ahead of time.  If you are physically small...you need to start months ahead of time preparing your body.  For me (no [structural firefighting] background) a big help would have been doing all the reading before drill school started."

RECRUIT TRAINING MATERIALS

The primary text used by Seattle Recruits is the Basic Skills Manual published in-house by the our Training Division.  The other primary text used during Recruit Training is the IFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting and Fire Department Operations, 5th edition.

Below are sample pages from the Basic Skills Manual as well as some sample skill sheets and drill videos.

• Basic Skills Manual Chapter 6, Basic Ropes & Knots (730 KB pdf)
• View a Preconnect Drill Video (18.5 MB wmv)
• Preconnect Skill Sheet (68 KB pdf)
• View 28 Foot Ladder Drill Video (6.6 MB wmv)
• 35 Foot Fly Extension Ladder Skill Sheet (72 KB pdf)