Job Details

Firefighter Position

Open to the general public and any current Municipal employee. This position is represented by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)- Local 1264 and is subject to the provisions of the current agreement between the Municipality of Anchorage and the IAFF. This application and selection process will be used to fill Academy 26-02 (8/18/2026 to 12/17/2026) and Academy 27-01 (1/12/2027 to 5/14/2027).

Department: Anchorage Fire Department (AFD) Hours of Work: 56-hour Kelly Schedule Location: Various Stations

To be considered for employment, applicants must be legally authorized to work and accept employment in the United States. The Municipality of Anchorage is not able to provide any type of sponsorship, including Student Visas and Employment Visas, under any circumstances.

Example of Duties

Under the direction of the Fire Captain, provide fire, rescue, and emergency medical care services. As an emergency medical technician or paramedic, examine, treat, care for, and transport sick and injured patients. Complete reports and maintain records. Prevent, combat, and extinguish fires. Provide rescue services. Perform apparatus and station maintenance duties. Complete professional training and study programs. Stand-by for emergency response. Perform other related duties as assigned or required. Firefighter positions require:

• Operating both as a member of a team and independently at incidents of uncertain duration.
• Spending extensive time outside exposed to the elements.
• Tolerating extreme fluctuations in temperature while performing duties. Performing physically demanding work in hot (up to 400 F), humid (up to 100% humidity) atmospheres while wearing equipment that significantly impairs body-cooling mechanisms.
• Experiencing frequent transition from hot to cold and from humid to dry atmospheres.
• Working in wet, icy, or muddy areas.
• Performing a variety of tasks on slippery, hazardous surfaces such as on rooftops or from ladders.
• Working in areas where sustaining traumatic or thermal injuries is possible.
• Facing exposure to carcinogenic dusts such as asbestos, toxic substances such as hydrogen cyanide, acids, carbon monoxide, or organic solvents either through inhalation or skin contact.
• Facing exposure to infectious agents such as hepatitis B or HIV.
• Wearing personal protective equipment that weighs approximately 60 pounds while performing firefighting tasks.
• Performing physically demanding work while wearing positive pressure breathing equipment with 1.5 inches of water column resistance to exhalation at a flow of 40 liters per minute.
• Performing complex tasks during life-threatening emergencies
• Working for long periods of time, requiring sustained physical activity and intense concentration.
• Facing life or death decisions during emergency conditions.
• Being exposed to grotesque sights and smells associated with major trauma and burn victims.
• Making rapid transitions from rest to near maximal exertion without warm-up periods.
• Operating in environments of high noise, poor visibility, limited mobility, at heights, and in enclosed or confined spaces.
• Using manual and power tools in the performance of duties.
• Relying on senses of sight, hearing, smell, and touch to help determine the nature of the emergency, maintain personal safety, and make critical decisions in a confused, chaotic, and potential life-threatening environment throughout the duration of the operation.

Minimum Qualifications / Substitutions / Preferences

High School Diploma, GED, or Equivalent, must be at least 18 years old (by time of hire), and have a valid State of Alaska Driver's license with acceptable driving record by time of hire. Additional Requirements:

• Satisfactory Medical Examination (meets National Fire Protection Association 1582 requirements) at time of hire.
• Satisfactory Psychological Assessment (determines job suitability) at time of hire.
• State of Alaska Firefighter I Certification within 90 days of hire.
• State of Alaska Firefighter II Certification within 90 days of hire.
• Anchorage Fire Department Journeyman Firefighter Certification no later than 48 months from date of hire as a condition of continued employment.
• State of Alaska Emergency Medical Technician I within 90 days of hire for EMT designated positions.
• State of Alaska Mobile Intensive Care Paramedic License or National Registry EMT-Paramedic Certification at time of hire for Paramedic designated positions.
• Physical Performance Assessment (PPA) within one (1) year of hire.

Preferences:

Preference may be given for applicants with previous firefighting experience.

State of Alaska Emergency Medical Technician I Certification or National Registry Emergency Medical Technician Basic Certification (will accept Advanced certifications).

OR

State of Alaska Mobile Intensive Care Paramedic License or National Registry EMT-Paramedic Certification.

Applicants who possess an EMT certification from a different state may qualify for State of Alaska Reciprocity. Please review the State of Alaska EMS Reciprocity program application found at or contact the State of Alaska Emergency Medical Services Certification office at hss.emt.cert@alaska.gov or (907) 465-8741.

Additional Important Information

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION IN ITS ENTIRETY TESTING INFORMATION AND NOTIFICATION: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, have acceptable employment records, and meet Municipal standards related to driving guidelines and criminal conviction history may be invited to participate in the Firefighter Testing Process. Applicants invited to test will be notified of further instruction via e-mail approximately the week of 5/25/2026. Ensure the email address provided on the application is valid and current. Testing notifications will only be sent to the email address listed on the application.

The upcoming Online Written Examination will evaluate whether you possess the critical, and job-related, skills and abilities necessary for success on the job. Qualified applicants will be given instructions on the process and next steps to follow to take the online entry-level firefighter test on the schedule test date. Every qualified applicant will be given a specific test link ahead of the test day with instructions on how to access the online test. For the test day, applicants will need to ensure that they have a laptop or desktop computer (Windows, Mac, or Linux) and must use one of the following browsers (Chrome, Safari, Edge, or FireFox) to take the online test. Please continue to check for further information regarding updates about the 2026 Entry-Level AFD Entry-Level Firefighter Test.

Testing components include:

• Online Written Examination 6/1/2026 to 6/3/2026 Multi-choice questions measuring traditional cognitive ability items (e.g., reading ability, math skills, map reading skills, writing skills, mechanical aptitudes, etc.) and personal characteristics and human relations skills as measured by situational judgment questions (e.g., teamwork, decision-making, interpersonal skills, etc). Applicants will have 3 hours to complete the written examination.
• Structured Oral Interviews 6/8/2026 to 6/12/2026 The Interview is for candidates selected to move forward in the process following the written test. Candidates will have the option to attend in person or remote (via Teams). Those attending virtually must utilize a webcam.
• Physical Ability Walk-Through 6/13/2026 to 6/14/2026 Applicants must present a current (within 60 days from PAT walk-through or test) Firefighter Fitness Form from a medical doctor, physician's assistant or nurse practitioner which indicates he/she is physically fit prior to beginning the PAT walk-through or test. The cost to obtain the physical is the applicant's responsibility. Applicants will not be allowed to participate in any PAT walk-through or test without this fully completed documentation on file.
• Physical Ability Test (PAT) 6/15/2026 to 6/19/2026 This is a strenuous test. Applicants will be wearing full turnouts (jacket, pants, gloves, and helmet) that weigh approximately 30 pounds. In addition, applicants will also be carrying (on their back) an air-pack weighing approximately