Detroit Fire Department FAQ

The City of Detroit establishes an eligibility list for the position of Firefighter every two years or as economic budget constraints allows and through a selection process.

The selection process:

1. Application

   Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, a United States citizen, possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license, and possess a high school diploma or G.E.D. (at time of appointment). The Detroit Civil Service Commission will notify applicants of the time and place to report for your examinations.

2. (Phase 1) Written Exam (Phase 2) Physical Capability Testing and Oral Assessment

   The initial testing will be conducted under the direction of the Detroit Municipal Civil Service Commission. Those applicants who score sufficiently high enough will proceed to the next level. Information about the CPAT (Candidate Physical Agility Test)  can be found here.

3. Background Investigation

   A personal history questionnaire will be required from each candidate along with a pre-interview and fingerprints. Candidates also will sign waivers allowing the Background Officer to conduct an extensive background investigation. At this time, the candidate must submit a high school diploma or G.E.D.

4. Oral Interview

   The candidate will be required to go before an Oral Interview Board consisting of Fire Department and Human Resources representatives.

5. Medical/Stress and Psychological Evaluation

   This step will involve a physical examination including vision and cardiovascular stress tests. Candidates must be free of dependence and addiction to narcotics, alcohol or other controlled substances. The vision requirements state that vision must be correctable to 20/30 and no more than 20/100 binocular uncorrected in each eye.  Candidates will also be evaluated for psychological fitness for a career in emergency services.

6. Appointment

   Firefighter candidate names will be submitted to the Executive Fire Commissioner for final selection and appointment to the Detroit Fire Department’s Training Academy. Fire candidates will be notified by letter of an appointment date to report to the Fire Academy. Fire recruits will be required to successfully complete approximately five months of paid training when they enter the Detroit Fire Academy. All trainees will be required to successfully complete a one-year probation from date of appointment.

Customers may request a fire report by emailing [email protected].

You will be directed to fill out a form for your request, be sure to read the form carefully and attach all requested documentation. All fire report requests must verify identity with Valid ID and residency documents (lease, bill, DHS paperwork etc).  All fire report requests made via email must complete and attach a fire report request from.

You may call 313.596.2954 for emergency circumstances fire report requests, Mon-Fri 8am - 5pm.

Obtaining a fire report:

1. A fire report may be obtained 24hrs. after a fire incident by calling Fire Marshal Budget Operations
2. In order to obtain a fire report you must be able to show proof of residency or ownership
3. Fire reports can be picked up at the Fire Marshal Budget Operations Office.
4. 3rd party adjusters and non owners can also contact the Fire Marshal Budget Operations Office for more info.

The Commanding Officer assigns fire station duties to the crew for that day. Duties include cooking, cleaning, monitoring the dispatch radio, flag mounting, attendance reporting, and hydrant inspecting. Firefighters also participate in community events and in-service training activities. The in-service training involves classroom instruction and hands-on training at the fire station and/or the Department Training Academy. Emergency incidents may interrupt assigned duties, such as emergency and non-emergency incidents, which includes but are not limited to residential, commercial, vehicle, and trash fires as well as medical calls and spills or leaks of hazardous materials. Firefighters are permitted to rest and sleep during their 24-hour tour of duty which is split between Fire and EMS apparatus.

The number of firefighters assigned to a firehouse can range from four (4) to twelve (12).  The number of Firefighters at any given firehouse varies according to the amount of apparatus assigned to the firehouse. There will be at least 4 firefighters who work 24 hours a day per Engine, Ladder, or Tactical Mobile Squad. Medic vehicles are staffed with a minimum of 1 paramedic and one (1) emergency medical technician who works 12-hour shifts around the clock. 

There are 46 firehouses and 80% of the firehouses have at least one fire engine.

There are 46 firehouses strategically located throughout the city.