2026 Summer Lateral Firefighter Paramedic

Lateral Firefighter Paramedic

Unified Fire Authority is offering opportunities for Firefighter/Paramedics to join our organization through our lateral process. With compensation potentially starting up to step 10 based on UFA's firefighter pay plan.

Applicants must possess a valid driver's license in good standing at the time of employment.

2026 Lateral Firefighter Paramedic FAQs

Lateral Firefighter Paramedic Recruitment Timeline (Summer 2026)

DATES AND TIMES MAY BE CHANGED OR ADDED IF NEEDED

STEP 1:

Our primary means of contacting you throughout the process will be by email. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email address is correct and any change to your email is updated with the Human Resources Division.

STEP 2: ORAL BOARD INTERVIEW/SKILLS ASSESSMENT/PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE TEST

Applicants will be notified by email, of the date, time, and location for this portion of the process.

ORAL BOARD INTERVIEW

The oral board interview will consist of structured, behaviorally-based interview questions. Your responses will be evaluated by fire officers and other firefighters or firefighter specialists.

SKILLS ASSESSMENT

Applicants must successfully pass the paramedic skills assessment process conducted by the UFA EMS Division (per NREMT guidelines). Paramedic Skills Assessment

Applicants must successfully pass the firefighter skills assessment process conducted by the UFA Fire Training Division.

FIREFIGHTER PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST

The Firefighter Physical Agility Test is based on general firefighting duties. This exam includes lifting, carrying, pulling, and climbing components.

The test is designed as an obstacle to closely simulate the endurance a firefighter employee must possess at the scene of a fire. For information on each event related to the test, please click below.

View the Firefighter Physical Agility Video

Applicants must pass the Firefighter Physical Agility Test with a cut-off time of at least 13:00 minutes.

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT YOU SHOULD BE IN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FIREFIGHTER PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST AND TO PREVENT INJURY OR AGGRAVATION OF ANY EXISTING CONDITION THAT YOU MAY HAVE. ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO SIGN A RELEASE OF LIABILITY.

STEP 3: REFERENCE, BACKGROUND CHECK, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION

STEP 4: NEW-HIRE MEDICAL PHYSICAL AND DRUG SCREENING

Applicants must meet NFPA-1582 standards.

STEP 5: 4-WEEK ORIENTATION

Orientation is anticipated to begin February 1, 2027. Applicants will be required to successfully complete a 4-week orientation and 10 shifts of field orientation as an extra crewmember in Operations.

Firefighter Pay Plan

Per policy, applicants will be placed appropriately on the Firefighter Pay Plan based on years of service and qualifications.

Paramedic Lateral Process Policy

Full details for the Paramedic Lateral Process can be found in our Paramedic Lateral Process policy.

Paramedic Lateral Process Policy