Fire Prep Program

Program Overview

The Fire Prep program is intended to prepare Seattle Fire Department (SFD) applicants and job seekers for a career in the fire service. Through participation in Fire Prep, individuals gain a realistic understanding of the physical requirements of SFD Recruit School and have the opportunity to develop foundational firefighter skills and knowledge. Participants also receive access to online resources focused on strength and conditioning and firefighter-related topics. These materials are ideal for individuals seeking to prepare for the physical, technical, and professional expectations of a career with SFD.

Fire Prep is available in two-formats: in-person or online. 

The in-person Fire Prep is a seven-week program tailored for adult learners with limited availability. The program begins with an Orientation Day (week one), followed by six consecutive Saturday sessions held at the Joint Training Facility (JTF). Orientation Day includes a fitness assessment that helps participants identify specific areas for improvement. In-person participants also receive weekly self-study materials via email to supplement the hands-on training. Attendance at Orientation Day is mandatory for participants that are registered for the in-person program; participants who do not attend will be removed from the program.

Online participation is a self-paced, self-study program that is ideal for out-of-state candidates or individuals who are unable to attend Saturday sessions. This program runs concurrent with the in-person program (seven weeks). Attending Orientation Day is not a requirement for online participation and there are no virtual sessions. All resources and assigned readings will be emailed on a weekly basis. A practice quiz is due at the end of each week.

Both in-person and online participants will have access to a Fire Prep coach to consult with on best practices to physically and mentally prepare for SFD Recruit School. It is important to note that participants from both formats will need to allocate several hours during the week to complete assigned readings and workouts, review program materials, and practice assigned knots.

Disclaimer: Participation in this program does not guarantee placement in Recruit School. Fire Prep is designed for those interested in the fire service to gain a better understanding of the nature of work, physical requirements and skill sets of a firefighter.

Attendance

• Fire Prep is a voluntary program; therefore, attendance is not mandatory, but it is strongly encouraged to get the most out of the material taught throughout the program and to maximize your potential for success in SFD Recruit School.
• Attendance clause: Participants who are attending in-person will be automatically transitioned to the online only program when: (a) more than two sessions are missed; (b) when two consecutive sessions are missed; and/or (c) participants do not demonstrate safety procedures that are taught during in-person sessions.
• Please do not register for in-person Fire Prep if you are unable to attend Orientation Day, or are unable to attend 6 or more Saturday sessions.
• The curriculum for in-person training will build off of material covered in the previous weeks. Participants who regularly miss sessions will fall behind. Time to re-teach past material is not available. Experienced Seattle firefighters will instruct the live sessions and guide the development of each participant.
• Online content will be administered on a weekly basis to supplement the in-person learning (see details below).
• Please note that this program requires a weekly time commitment to complete assigned readings, practice knots, and participate in workout sessions. To gain the most value from the program, participants are strongly encouraged to set aside dedicated time for these activities.
• For questions or more information, please review the FAQ section below or email FirePrep@seattle.gov.

Who is Eligible to Participate?

Candidates on the 2026-2027 firefighter hiring register, any resident or non-resident of the City of Seattle, and any job seeker who is interested in a career in the fire service.

Participants must be 18 years of age or older at the time of Fire Prep registration.

Online Content

Strength and conditioning: All participants will have access to a strength training program and be assigned to a Fire Prep coach to help guide the development of their physical fitness, as well as their preparation for a career in the fire service. This portion of the program is not mandatory but is a free resource that should be taken advantage of. If participants have their own training program, they are still eligible to use their assigned coach as a guide to modify their training routine or to provide feedback on lifting technique. The Fire Prep program uses the Teambuildr mobile app to administer strength training plans.

Firefighter-related content: Participants will receive a weekly email that contains assigned readings from the SFD Basic Skills (BSM) manual, as well as PDF documents or video demonstrations of a firefighter-related skill/concept. These documents/resources should be reviewed to improve the participant’s understanding for foundational concepts and skills.

Testimonies from Past Fire Prep Participants

"You may think you're ready for drill school but once you've attended Fire Prep, it's a whole different story."

“Fire Prep was an incredibly eye-opening experience. I always knew that Recruit School was going to be challenging, but I never understood how much more work I needed to put in to feel prepared. Fire Prep provides the insight and training necessary to foster confidence and mental preparation neccessary to conquer Recruit School. I can't understand how anyone makes it through Recruit School without this program."

“I have my fire certifications and have been through multiple firefighter academies. I also have experience as a career firefighter. Fire Prep provided an incredibly high level of training that matches the recruit schools I’ve been through. This program is extremely well run, and I believe anyone who attends it will have an increased chance of success upon going into a firefighter recruit school, whether it be Seattle’s or another. It’s clear that the Health & Fitness coordinator, as well as the skills instructors are knowledgeable, professional, and want everyone to be successful. It was awesome to see the coordinator and the instructors bunking up and being involved with the training we were doing. This program is fun, safe, and enlightening. It is challenging, it will give you an idea of what you’ll need to work on to be mentally, physically, and technically proficient as a recruit. I would highly recommend anyone attend if they are interested in firefighting.”

“I came into this program with zero experience in the fire service. A friend of mine is Firefighter and told me that I'd be good at this career. This summer, another Firefighter friend of mine told me about the SFD Fire Prep program and that I should consider this career. So, I signed up to test the waters. I figured, what's a couple of Saturdays? I'll learn if I like this or not AND I'll get to do some cool stuff. So, why not? Now at the end of Fire Prep, I'm amazed at how much I've grown these last two months. I love how every Saturday has pushed me physically and mentally. As a former collegiate athlete, this was both a humbling and confidence-building experience. I've been humbled by how difficult everything is (who knew a ladder was so heavy?). I've grown in my confidence as my skills have built on each other (yes, I'm stronger and now I can throw that heavy ladder and so much more!). If you've always dreamed of being a firefighter, this program is for you. If you are about to start SFD Recruit School, this program is for you. If you are like me and you just want to see if you want this career, this program is for you! Thank you for everything, SFD!”

“Very proud of SFD to recognize they needed a Fire Prep program to better prepare their future recruits. I’m extremely honored to be able to have participated in it. There is great diversity among the instructors, and they all really show to be aligned with SFD’s Vision. Simply put in two words: Invaluable Program.”

“Fire Prep was an incredible experience that gave me the opportunity to gain real, hands-on experience in a supportive teaching environment. I was able to make mistakes without fear of judgment and truly learn from them. The instructors created a space where I could identify and work on my areas of weakness before stepping into academy, which gave me a huge boost in confidence. I’m really grateful for how much Fire Prep helped me grow and prepare for the next step in my career.”

"I really think this program was a big wakeup call for me and showed me just how demanding academy will be. I learned some really great skills I can take forward with me and it gave me a good list of things to work on personally before I get into the academy. As someone who has no experience in the fire service, I believe this program is extremely beneficial just to get muscle memory for things I have never tried or used before. I think this will make the mental part of academy a little bit more manageable too."

“I thought I understood the rigor and requirement of what it took to be a firefighter, or at least a recruit. But I severely underestimated the level of fitness, grit, and determination it took to function at an elite level as a firefighter! The academic load with reading, watching videos, and practicing knots was very challenging, yet manageable, and I would have been tremendously overwhelmed if I wasn’t already somewhat physically in shape before entering the program because I would have been too fatigued to read the manual or do anything extra. I am thankful I got a glimpse into what recruit school would be like, or a tiny sample of the ins-and-outs of the duties a firefighter has to perform day in and day out. The experience was invaluable- I couldn’t imagine going into recruit school without being exposed to the material and the evolutions beforehand, because I believe I would have been blindsided and underprepared. ALL instructors were amazing, and the bonds that were built will last outside of the program. Hands down, one of the greatest experiences of my life.”

“This program gave me a clear understanding of what is expected in a firefighting career. I significantly improved my strength and endurance beyond what I could have achieved on my own. I gained hands-on experience with ladders, hose evolutions, power tools, forcible entry, and training in full bunker gear, all of which were new to me. I am finishing the program feeling more confident, more capable, and definitely stronger. I highly recommend this program to anyone pursuing a career with SFD, whether you have no fire experience or are looking to grow your skills. It’s an environment filled with passion, dedication, and genuine support from the firefighters who train you. A lot of fun, a lot of growth. Thank you!”

"Fire Prep itself was all the information I would want before I started the academy. I appreciate the intensity of the firefighters and when we did mess up, the intensity turned off. I felt that it kept me engaged and helped me learn effectively. The information about hydration, recovery, and all the workouts are really valuable. I especially liked the email that was sent out about meals to make. Step by step guide on how to make the meals."

FAQs

Q: How do I get on the Fire Prep mailing list?

A: If you're interested in this program, email FirePrep@seattle.gov and ask to be added to our mailing list.

Q: Will participating in the Fire Prep program be a factor in the hiring process?

A: No. Participation in the Fire Prep Program is optional and will not affect you during the hiring process. Participation in the Fire Prep program is encouraged as it may better prepare you for SFD Recruit School. However, SFD Human Resources will be notified of participants who do not return SFD-owned gear by the deadline (approximately one month after the program ends).

Q: Do I have to attend Orientation Day? Can I start the program on a later date? Can I start the program online and move to the in-person group (or vice versa) at any time during the program?

A: Yes, you must attend Orientation Day as this day is the only time to complete the Fitness Assessment which will help determine your placement in the program. Participants will not be allowed to join the Fire Prep Program after Orientation Day.

Participants on the "online only" path cannot transfer over to the in-person group. These individuals will remain online throughout the entire duration of the program.

Participants in the in-person group will be transfered to the online only group for the following reasons: (1) if the participant requests this option, (2) if the participant scores poorly on the fitness assessment (Orientation Day), (3) if the participant is no longer able to attend in-person sessions for any reason, or (4) if the participant misses more than two sessions or two consecutive sessions.

Q: What happens if I miss one day due to prior commitments?

A: Missing one or two sessions due to prior commitments will be permitted. However, if you know that you will miss more than two sessions before registering for this program, we recommend enrolling in the online only program. The information on this website is being made available so that participants may plan and prioritize attendance of the next Fire Prep program.

Q: I want to join the program, but I am not in the area. Could I participate online/virtually?

A: Yes. When registration opens, be sure to select the "online" participation option. Keep in mind that the resources you would have access to is the content that supplements in-person learning. You will also have access to a fitness coach/firefighter to help guide your strength training routine and provide mentorship on preparing for a career within the fire service.

Q: I tried to register, but it says "full." What do I do next? Is there a waitlist?

A: As mentioned previously, this is a popular program and will fill up quickly as space is limited. A waitlist will be created after both the in-person and online rosters have filled up. Once the waitlist is full, no additional participants will be added to the waitlist. Participants on the waitlist will be notified of their placement. Participants not on the waitlist will also be notified. In some cases, space becomes available just before Orientation Day. When this happens, members on the waitlist will be notified if they would still like to participate. This is done based on waitlist order.

Q: Do I need to submit a resume or cover letter when registering for Fire Prep?

A: No, these documents are not required to register for Fire Prep.

Q: I registered to participate online; do I need to attend Orientation Day?

A: No, only participants that are registered for in-person are required to attend Orientation Day. However, if you are registered for online and want to attend Orientation Day to complete the Fitness Assessment, you are welcome. Please email FirePrep@seattle.gov to provide advance notice.

Program Schedule

The following information will be updated throughout the year. Please check this segment regularly as information may change.

Last update: 12/17/2025

Spring 2026 - Fire Prep Program Registration:

Registration details will be emailed on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 to Fall 2025 applicants and the Fire Prep mailing list. Registration will be completed in 3 phases.

Phase 1: Pre-registration and screening form

• A link to access our form will be included with the registration email. Please complete this step at your earliest convenience.
• The window to complete this form is February 3 to February 16, 2026.
• No forms will be collected before or after these dates. Participants who do not submit a form will not be considered. No exceptions will be made.

Phase 2: Selection

• All forms will be processed using a tiered system (see below) and participants will be selected at random.
• Using a lottery-style draw, in-person and online participants will be selected; selection will begin with Tier 1 participants. Remaining Tier 1 participants will be added to the waitlist (up to 20) at random. If any space remains after Tier 1, the registration process will pull from Tier 2 using the same random method.
• Tier 1: Confirmed top 25% of hiring register and submitted employment packet.
• Tier 2: Other hiring register candidates.
• Tier 3: Non-hiring list candidates and general job seekers.

Phase 3: Registration confirmation and waitlist management

• Participants will be notified via email of selection, waitlist, and non-selection.
• Selected participants will need to confirm their registration by completing a waiver (via email). Any unclaimed spots will go to the next candidate on the waitlist.

Tier 1 priority registration will be given to current applicants (must have applied to Seattle Fire during Fall 2025).

IMPORTANT: Participants who have completed the Fire Prep program in the past will have a lower chance of selection.

Spring 2026 – Orientation Day Details

• Participants must sign and return a waiver to participate (this will be provided via email after registering for the program)
• Date: March 17, 2026 (Saturday)
• Time: 9:00am – 3:30pm
• Location: 9401 Myers Way S, Seattle WA 98108 (Joint Training Facility)

Orientation Day - Fitness Assessment

A physical fitness assessment will take place on Orientation Day. This assessment will allow participants to measure specific qualities of fitness and identify areas that need improvement.

The assessment consists of the following events:

• Lower Body Power: Counter Movement Jump
• Lower Body Strength: Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull
• Upper Body Endurance: Hand Release Push Up
• Aerobic Capacity: Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (Level 1)
• 40 Meter Victim Drag (2 attempts)
• 35’ Ladder Extension (2 attempts)
• Tower Climb w/2.5” Hose Bundle and SBCA

A debrief will take place after all events are completed. This debrief will highlight important cutoff scores and physical fitness considerations for each event.

It is important to highlight that participants who perform poorly with several of these events will be asked to complete the online Fire Prep program. In this case, it would be best for that individual to prioritize the Health and Human Performance resources that this program has to offer (i.e. strength training program).

Recommended fitness standards:

• Barbell Back Squat and Deadlift: at least 1.5x bodyweight
• Barbell Shoulder Press: at least 0.7x bodyweight
• Hand Release Push Up: at least 37 repetitions within 2 minutes
• DB Farmer’s Carry: 40-lb carry, 100-yard distance
• Estimated VO2 Max: 49ml.kg.min (14 METs)

Fire Prep Calendar

Questions

For questions about the Fire Prep program or to join the mailing list, please email fireprep@seattle.gov.