Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
As of January 2026, the starting salary for the Firefighter/Rescuer I position is $62,102 annually.
Montgomery County offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance and prescription plans, vision and dental coverage, flexible spending, life insurance, deferred compensation, paid holidays, 288 hours of paid parental leave, and more. If selected for hire, employees and their dependents are covered on the first day of employment.
Yes. Montgomery County offers a 20-year retirement plan with no age requirement. Deferred compensation is available through both traditional and Roth IRA contribution options. This plan allows employees to retire after 20 years of service, regardless of age.
Yes, Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service provides numerous opportunities for promotion, career advancement, and assignment to specialty teams. These assignments include Swift Water, TRT, MD Task Force, FEI, and Hazmat.
- No experience is required.
- You must be a high school graduate or an equivalent, acceptable to the State of Maryland.
- A valid non-provisional / non learner driver's license.
- 18 years of age.
- You must be a citizen of the United States or Resident Alien at the time of application.
Candidates must have a valid non-provisional driver’s license by the date specified in the job announcement.
Candidates can submit a sealed/official high school transcript, in lieu of the diploma.
No, you don’t have to live in Montgomery County, Maryland to apply.
Yes, candidates must pass the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) an eight-evolution physical fitness assessment, within 10 minutes and 20 seconds. This test ensures candidates can meet the physical demands required of the position. Additional information about the CPAT.
Regular cardiovascular and strength training exercises are recommended to build endurance, strength, and flexibility. Specific details about the physical fitness requirements will be provided to candidates that pass the entrance exam. Montgomery County Fire & Rescue offers a 12-week mentoring program to help candidates prepare for and pass the CPAT. Additional information about the CPAT.
Once you submit your online application, it is reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum requirements. If so, the next steps in the hiring process are the entrance exam, Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), background investigation, medical examination, and drug screening.
The hiring process can take up to one year to complete (from the time of application to the start of recruit class).
The hiring process for the Firefighter/Rescuer I (Recruit) position includes several important steps to determine suitability for employment. Each step is essential to ensure that only the most qualified candidates are selected for hire. The lengthy process allows our team to select candidates that meet the Montgomery County hiring standards. Each recruit class is also dependent upon budgetary funding.
No, Montgomery County does not accept CPAT results from other agencies/jurisdictions.
No, Montgomery County does not provide CPAT certificates to candidates.
Yes, recruits are paid while in the academy.
Recruits report to the training academy 5 days a week, Monday through Friday. The daily schedule can vary between 9-10 hours per day for a total of 48 hours per week. Recruits report for training on holidays and during inclement weather.
After recruit school, most firefighters/rescuers work a 24/48 work schedule, which means they are on duty for 24 hours, followed by 48 hours off. Personnel are also assigned a designated Kelly Day (guaranteed day off). Day work opportunities are also available, consisting of four 10-hour workdays per week, with weekends off and one regularly scheduled day off (RDO) during the week.
No, all candidates are hired at the entry level and attend our 26-week recruit class, regardless of their current rank with the other public safety agency/jurisdiction. Recruits are trained to perform manual and technical work in fire suppression, prevention, rescue, communications, emergency medical services, etc.
Yes, Montgomery County employees can transfer to Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service. The employee will transfer into the Firefighter/Rescuer I (Recruit) position. The employee’s salary will be determined based on their rank as a Firefighter/Rescuer I (F1), as noted on the current IAFF Salary Schedule. The employee will transfer at a salary that is close to their current salary as possible; however, the salary cannot be higher than a Firefighter/Rescuer I Step M.
Depending on the previous career field you worked for with another Montgomery County agency, time in grade towards annual salary can be transferred. During the hiring process, please ensure that you properly annotate any previous Montgomery County employment history so our Office of Human Resources can better assist.
Recreational cannabis uses and possession was in fact legalized in Maryland; however, Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service personnel are subject to the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 30.02.04.01. The regulation states that the following actions are prohibited:
- Engaging in unprofessional or immoral conduct while providing emergency medical services.
- Providing emergency medical services while:
- Under the influence of alcohol, or
- Using any narcotic or controlled dangerous substance, as defined in Criminal Law Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, that is in excess of therapeutic amounts or without valid medical indication.
Yes, we recommend that you apply even if you are in the current process. During each application period, several hundred applicants apply for a limited number of positions. Our hiring process is highly competitive; therefore, we encourage individuals to reapply.