In order to become a New York City firefighter, you’re required to first take a civil service exam.

But you may be waiting a while.

The application to join the FDNY is typically open every four to five years — though this timeline is subject to change.

The last time the application for FDNY was open was July 2024. That means, according to the usual timeline, the application won’t open again until at least 2028 or 2029.

But there is still time to prepare for the exam.

The test doesn’t require you to have any special knowledge of firefighting or the fire department.

It includes multiple-choice questions that test on reading, problem-solving, and applying rules and concepts. And the fire department hosts free prep sessions for the written test.

The exam preparation resources are available at joinfdny.com/fdny-exam-preparation.

What happens after the exam?

Once you pass this written test, you also must participate in an in-person interview with FDNY officers.

Once the exam is completed, you are considered to be a firefighter applicant, and your name will be placed on order of performance and other factors. Candidates will then be called to take the physical portion of the exam. Applicants also undergo a medical and psychological evaluation, a drug screening, and a background check.

Candidates will be called based on the list number and need, which can take up to multiple years.

What’s the salary and job description?

The current minimum salary as a firefighter is $54,122 per annum. Incumbents will receive salary increments reaching $105,146 per annum at the completion of five and one half years of employment. All rates are subject to change.

Here’s what the job entails, according to city Department of Citywide Administrative Services:

“Under supervision, firefighters assist in the control and extinguishment of fires, in providing pre-hospital emergency medical care, and in the enforcement of laws, ordinances, rules and regulations regarding the prevention, control and extinguishment of fires, as well as perform Fire Safety Education activities; perform inspections and related enforcement duties, such as issuing criminal court summonses and vacate orders, to assure compliance with provisions of the Fire Prevention Code and applicable sections of the Building Code, Multiple Dwelling Code, Housing Maintenance Code, Labor Law and other laws, rules and regulations, within enforcement purviews of the New York City Fire Department; perform inspections of equipment and schedule as necessary the maintenance of various tools and equipment, including but not limited to power tools, company apparatus, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (S.C.B.A) and other personal safety equipment; and perform related work. Some of the physical activities performed by Firefighters and environmental conditions experienced are: wearing protective clothing, such as bunker suit, helmet, boots and breathing apparatus; crawling, crouching and standing, often for prolonged periods, while extinguishing fires; driving fire apparatus and other Department vehicles; climbing stairs, ladders and fire escapes; raising portable ladders; using forcible entry tools, such as axes, sledge hammers, power saws and hydraulic tools; searching for victims in smoke-filled environments; carrying or dragging victims from dangerous locations; connecting, stretching and operating hose lines; locating hidden fire by feel and smell; providing medical assistance to injured or ill citizens; and providing control and mitigation of hazardous materials incidents while wearing chemical protective clothing.”