Salary and Benefits

Recruit Firefighter Salary while in the academy: $6,233.40 per month.

Base Pay Scale:

• Step 1: $7,910.30
• Step 2: $8,301.06
• Step 3: $8,712.02
• Step 4: $9,143.14
• Step 5: $9,595.90

Base Pay Scale with 5% EMT and 9.3% Paramedic Incentives (including FLSA & Holiday Pay):

• Step 1: $9,723.12
• Step 2: $10,203.43
• Step 3: $10,708.56
• Step 4: $11,238.48
• Step 5: $11,795.01

Retirement: CalPERS Safety retirement: Classic employee 3% at 50, PEPRA employee 2.7% at 57.

Health Benefits: CalPERS health insurance offering a variety of HMO and PPO plans. District contributes 92% of the premium; employee responsible for the remaining 8%. Dental and vision insurance are also paid by the District.

Life Insurance: $20,000 for the first probationary year and $100,000 thereafter.

Leave:

• Vacation Leave – 14 hours per month.
• Sick Leave – 24 hours per month.
• Paid Holiday Leave – 144 hours (paid out monthly).

Incentives:

• Education incentive – up to 10.5% of base pay.
• EMT incentive – 5% of base pay.
• Paramedic incentive – 9.3% of base pay.
• Longevity incentive – 2% of base pay starting at 10 years of service.

Responsibilities

Under supervision of the Fire Captain, performs a full range of all-risk emergency activities, including, but not limited to fire suppression, emergency medical services, extrication, technical rescue, and hazardous materials. Firefighters will engage in the suppression of structural, wildland, and other types of fires; perform scheduled maintenance of fire stations, apparatus, and related equipment; provide emergency medical and rescue services to the community; participate in fire safety inspections; maintain records and complete reports; may be required to drive emergency fire and EMS apparatus; perform other duties as required.

• Respond to emergency incidents as a member of a fire company; connect and lay fire hose lines; enter burning areas and structures with charged hose lines; operate and climb fire ladders; participate in the rescue of persons trapped in burning buildings and vehicles; render first aid; perform forcible entry; ventilate structures to release smoke, heat, and gases.
• Ensure operational readiness of self and equipment in assigned station.
• Perform a variety of all-risk emergency scene operations.
• Participate in regular training activities and exercises.
• Assist in fire inspections and fire prevention activities; assist in the preparation and presentation of fire prevention programs to the public.
• Participate in general housekeeping and building, grounds and equipment maintenance; inspect, clean and maintain equipment.
• Operate emergency medical equipment; relay vital signs by radio to receiving hospitals; give emergency treatment and medication under doctor's orders; immobilize patients and transport to emergency medical facility.
• Assist in the investigation of fire causes and preservation of evidence.
• Prepare reports and may testify in court as to findings.
• May act as Fire Captain and/or Fire Engineer in emergencies or upgrade situations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications

• Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent GED certificate.
• Must possess a National Registry Paramedic card or a California State Paramedic Card at the time of application.
• If applicants have a National Registry card, they must obtain a California State Paramedic license by the time of a formal offer of employment (December 27, 2026).
• Must obtain a Sacramento County EMT-P Accreditation by completion of the district‑specific training/orientation period.
• Possession of a valid unrestricted California Driver's License Class C; ability to obtain and maintain a Firefighter Endorsement within six (6) months of appointment.
• All candidates must have a valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) from a provider licensed by the IAFF/IAFC, obtained within one year prior to application (after July 8, 2025).
• All candidates must have a valid American Heart Association Healthcare Provider – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation card or equivalent.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The information contained herein is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.