North Metro Fire Rescue District recruits employees who will embrace our mission and values and play an active role in making our organization the best fire district. We seek a diverse group of individuals representing a variety of education, skills and experiences to join our team.

From the newest firefighter to our highest ranking officers, everyone has an opportunity to contribute to the organization's growth and development.

North Metro Fire is more than an employer. We are family. Check out what our employees have to say about working at North Metro Fire. We hope you decide to join our team!

2025-2026 Testing and Hiring

Learn More 

• Fill out our firefighter interest form to connect with our team and learn more about becoming a North Metro firefighter
• Sign up for a ride-along with one of our engine or medic crews to learn more about the career and North Metro Fire culture. 

Steps to Becoming a North Metro Firefighter

1. Learn about the firefighting profession and North Metro Fire
   1. Firefighting is a unique profession. If you desire a profession that is dynamic, rewarding, team-oriented and an opportunity to make a difference, this may be the job for you. 
   2. With more than 70% of our emergency calls involving medical care, North Metro Fire supports a progressive emergency medical services (EMS) program that strives to deliver the best in evidence-based, pre-hospital care. All of North Metro's firefighters play a vital role in providing emergency medical care, in addition to responding to a variety of hazards.
   3. Our department encourages professional development and growth, and offers opportunities to engage and contribute to the organization's strategic plan, receive quality training and education, promote within, and join one of the District's special teams: wildland, technical rescue, hazardous materials and airport operations. 
   4. Our department operates on a 48/96 schedule, meaning you'll work two 24-hour shifts at the fire station and then have four days off.
   5. North Metro Fire offers competitive pay and great benefits, including well-being programs for employees.
   6. Get to know us! If you are an EMS student or enrolled in a fire service program, we invite you to sign up for a ride-along with one of our crews. Shadow us for a few hours and get insight into the job and the people who make up our North Metro family. 
   7. Find opportunities to work in EMS, and/or volunteer at a volunteer fire department to gain experience.
2. Fulfill the minimum requirements
   1. High school diploma or equivalent
   2. Possess valid, unrestricted driver's license
   3. As a condition of continued employment, upon completion of the fire academy, employee must:
      1. Possess a valid, unrestricted Colorado Driver's License 
      2. Be able to successfully possess and maintain an EMT certificate issued by the State of Colorado.   (Candidates without an EMT certificate must successfully acquire their EMT certification during the EMT Academy) 
      3. Possess and maintain CPR certification 
   4. Valid Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) certification by final offer date - CPAT certification is valid for one year from the date of the exam
      1. Some venues that offer the CPAT include:
         1. Aims Community College in Greeley, Colorado. The test is offered monthly.
         2. Pikes Peak State College in Colorado Springs, Colorado. 
3. Undergo medical skills assessment (paramedic candidates only)
   1. Paramedics will participate in a medical assessment of their paramedic skills, including a written test and EMS hands-on scenarios. EMTs do not participate in a medical skills assessment test.
4. Participate in general skills assessment and interview process
   1. Paramedics who pass the medical assessment process and selected EMTs from the testing pool will then receive the opportunity to participate in a general skills assessment. The assessment consists of two separate interview panels as well as a written exercise.
   2. Candidates who pass the general skills assessment process are eligible for hire and placed on one of two hiring eligibility lists - one for EMTs and one for paramedics. These lists are then certified by North Metro Fire's Civil Service Committee. 
   3. In order of rank, candidates are interviewed by North Metro Fire's chiefs. Following the chiefs' interviews, selected candidates are given conditional job offers. Once a conditional job offer is received, the candidate will need to pass a medical/physical evaluation, including a drug test, as well as a background check. Candidates who have ever been convicted of a felony, or who have been convicted of a misdemeanor within the last two years, will be subject to an individualized evaluation as to whether the criminal activity should disqualify the candidate. In addition, North Metro Fire will conduct acrophobia and claustrophobia testing to ensure a candidate is fit for the occupation.  
   4. Once these processes are satisfactorily completed, a final job offer will be given to the new hire candidate.  
5. Participate and graduate from the North Area Fire Academy
   1. North Metro Fire employees typically are hired and begin training two weeks prior to the North Area Fire Academy start date. The North Area Fire Academy is 16 weeks long and takes place primarily at the North Metro Fire Training Center. 
   2. Typically, the academy's weekly schedule consists of four 10-hour days. North Metro Fire will provide firefighter training and certification requirements during the fire academy. 
   3. Lateral hires may qualify for a modified academy program, dependent on experience. 

Train for your Firefighting Career

Once you receive and accept your final job offer, the real process of becoming a firefighter begins. North Metro Fire has a state-of-the-art Training Center Complex that demonstrates our commitment to training, safety and the health of our employees. 

We are part of the North Area Fire Departments group, which includes Adams County Fire, Brighton Fire, South Adams County Fire, Thornton Fire and Westminster Fire.

Once you have graduated from the fire academy, you will become a probationary firefighter for a one-year period, where your training and assessment will continue under the supervision of a company officer.