Firefighter Exam 2026 (Nov 1 - Nov 31)

Salary: $86,680.75 - $106,804.62 Annually
Location : Human Resources, 401 E Virginia St. McKinney, TX 75069, TX
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number:
Department: Fire Suppression
Opening Date: 11/01/2026
Closing Date: 11/30/2026 5:00 PM Central

Summary
NOTE: You must attach all certifications to your application in Government Jobs.

Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must have certification(s) that fall into one of the following 3 categories at the time of application.
Preference will be given to applicants in the following order:

1. TCFP Firefighter with Texas DSHS Paramedic or NREMT Paramedic
2. Texas DSHS Paramedic or NREMT Paramedic only
3. TCFP Firefighter with Texas DSHS EMT or NREMT EMT

Applying for Firefighter is a 2-step process. BOTH steps must be completed to be considered.

• Application (Here on this application in Government Jobs)
• Online-Based Written Exam & Video Interview (Public Safety Answers)

IMPORTANT: After completing the application, if you meet the minimum qualifications, you will receive an email link within 1-2 days to start the testing process. Exam must be completed by November 30, 2026.

Please wait for approval from McKinney FD via email link before moving along to step 2 of the process.

Base Salary:
Firefighter: $86,680.75 - $106,804.62

Incentive Pay:
Paramedic: $200 per month
Education: $50 - 150 per month
Certification: $50 - 110 per month
Ambulance: $1 per hour
Field Training Paramedic: $150 per month

TCFP-Certified & Experienced FirefightersIf you already have prior experience AND have been able to successfully achieve advanced levels of your Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) certifications, your training and experience will be reviewed by the department to determine eligibility for a lateral entry position. If approved, laterals will enter the pay scale based on their years of full-time experience and TCFP certifications. Entering the department at an advanced step can increase your starting base pay. Please see the link below for the McKinney Fire Department step plan, and possible advanced steps.
Essential Functions/Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Under general supervision, the purpose of the position is to perform fire prevention, fire suppression, rescue duties, and act as Firefighter-EMT/Paramedic. Employees in this classification perform highly skilled, technical level work. Position is responsible for providing life and property protection. Performs related work as required.
Required Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age by application date.
• Must be a US Citizen or Legal Resident.
• Must have a high school diploma or GED
• Must have certification(s) that fall into one of the following 3 categories at the time of application:
  1. TCFP Firefighter with Texas DSHS Paramedic or NREMT Paramedic
  2. Texas DSHS Paramedic or NREMT Paramedic only
  3. TCFP Firefighter with Texas DSHS EMT or NREMT EMT

YOU MUST ATTATCH YOUR CERTIFICATIONS TO YOUR NEOGOV APPLICATION

If you do not fall into one of the above three categories, you are not eligible to apply at this time.
Minimum passing score on the online exam is 70%.

Military DD214:
Candidates with an Honorable Discharge from the military as documented on their DD-214 will receive an additional 5 points to their minimum passing score of 70 on the written exam.

Physical Ability:
The Physical Ability Test is similar to the IAFF/IAFC CPAT test. There are events that the applicant will be required to wear a weighted vest and helmet during some events.
Here are the details:

Physical Ability Test
The PAT is a pass/fail assessment with specific guidelines for each event. The maximum time allowed is 8:30.

Event 1: Aerial Climb

• The candidate climbs a 100' aerial.
• After reaching the top, the candidate will look over the top rung and identify the tool a proctor points to on the ground.
• During a 60 second rest period on the ground, the candidate will replace the ladder belt with a weighted vest and move towards the Keiser Sled.

Event 2: Keiser Sled

• The candidate drives the Keiser sled until completion. (Approximately halfway)

Event 3: Stair Climb with High Rise Pack and Hose Roll Hoist

• The candidate picks up a 2.5" high rise pack and ascends to the landing with a balcony.
• The candidate uses a rope to hoist a 3" hose roll over a railing using a hand-over-hand method.
• The high-rise pack is then picked up, and the candidate proceeds to the ground floor, dropping the pack upon exiting the tower.

Event 4: Charged Hose Line

• The candidate walks around a marked cone towards a charged hose connected to a hydrant.
• The candidate will drag the hose 100 feet.

Event 5: Ladder Carry

• The candidate picks up a 24' ladder, and carries it 25 feet, around a light pole, and 25 feet back to the marked box.

Event 6: Dummy Drag

• Utilizing whatever method they choose, the candidate moves the dummy 25 feet, around a light pole and 25 feet back to the starting position marked by 2 cones.

Automatic Disqualifiers
Personal Integrity and Background

• Must not have committed any act(s) in their background that would indicate a lack of personal integrity or morality.
• History of unsatisfactory employment.
• Must not have a history of chronic recurring financial problems indicating an unwillingness or inability to live within financial means.
• Candidates who are Military Veterans must have had an Honorable Discharge or General Discharge under Honorable Conditions from the military.
• Must have a complete application and personal history statement without falsification.

Criminal Record

• Must not have been convicted of a Class B misdemeanor or above within the last 3 years.
• Must not have a conviction of a Class A misdemeanor or above.
• Must not be currently on probation or indicted for any criminal offense.
• Must not have a family violence conviction.

Drug Use

• Must not have used any illegal drug in the past 3 years (except for marijuana).
• Must not have used marijuana in the past 12 months.
• Must not have used an illegal drug, which would amount to a felony crime if found in possession within the last 5 years.
• Misuse of prescription medications (including illegal steroids), intentional misuse of products (e.g., tetrafluoroethane, propellant in compressed air).

Driving Record

• A driver's license currently under suspension or revocation is a disqualifier.
• Must not have a noticeable pattern of traffic arrests, citations, and/or convictions within the last 3 years (e.g., stop sign violations, red light violations, reckless driving, speeding, parking tickets, and careless driving).
• The applicant must not have been convicted of DUI/DWI or other chemical substance-related driving offenses, hit and run, failure to stop and render aid at the scene of an accident, or failure to disclose identification at the scene of an accident within the last 3 years.

Physical Demands/Supplemental
Physical Demands:
Tasks involve the ability to exert heavy physical effort in heavy work with greater emphasis on climbing and balancing and typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of heavy objects and materials (up to 100 pounds); may occasionally involve heavier objects and materials (100 pounds and over).
Frequently Asked Questions
and more
The City offers a full complement of benefits:

Health Insurance

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Medical and Childcare Account (FSA)
• Mental Health Care and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• City-paid and Voluntary Life Insurance
• City-paid and Voluntary Long Term Disability Insurance
• Supplemental Insurance through Aflac

Additional Benefits

• Legal Services through Legal Shield
• Tuition Reimbursement (up to $10,000 per year)
• Wellness Program (earn up to $600 per year)

Retirement

• Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS)
  • Mandatory 7% employee contribution
  • City match 2:1
  • 5 year vesting
  • Retire after 20 years of service, or age 60 with 5 years of service
• 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plans

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Paid Vacation (80 hours per year for new hires; tiered increases after 2 yrs)
• Sick Leave (135 hours per year for yourself and immediate family)
• Paid Parental Leave (80 hours for birth, adoption, or placement of a child in foster care)
• Ten Paid Holidays
• Personal Day
• Optional compensatory time for hourly employees
• Compensatory time for salaried employees

For more detailed information, please see the City of McKinney's
01

Will you be at least 18 years old by the date of your application?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have a high school diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

03

What is your highest level of certification TODAY? (You Must Attach your Certifications to your Application) CHOSE ONLY 1

• TCFP Firefighter with Texas DSHS Paramedic or NREMT Paramedic
• Texas DSHS Paramedic or NREMT Paramedic only
• TCFP Firefighter with Texas DSHS EMT or NREMT EMT
• None of the Above

04

Did you Attach Your Certifications to your application?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you possess a current, valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

06

Please enter your driver's license number and the state it was issued in using the following format (12345 - ST).
07

Do you authorize a background check to verify prior employment, criminal records, education, driving records if applicable, and any other information relevant to the application process?

• Yes
• No

08

Can you provide proof of both your identity and your right to work in the United States?

• Yes
• No

09

Have you submitted a Personal History Packet (PHP) to MFD in the past 12 months?

• Yes
• No

10

If you answered Yes to authorizing a background check to verify prior employment, criminal records, education, and driving records, please list your date of birth in the following format (mm/dd/yyyy). This information is used solely for the purpose of a background check.
11

Have you used marijuana or a marijuana substitute within the past 12 months?

• Yes
• No

12

Have you engaged in the use of any illegal drug (except marijuana) within the past 3 years?

• Yes
• No

13

As of today, have you been convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), or other chemical substance-related driving incidents in the past 3 years?

• Yes
• No

14

As of today, have you been convicted of a Hit and Run and/or Failure to Stop and Render Aid at the scene of an accident within the past 3 years?

• Yes
• No

15

As of today, have you been convicted of Failure to Disclose Identification at the scene of an accident within the past 3 years?

• Yes
• No

16

As of today, does your driving record contain three (3) or more moving violations or two (2) "at fault" vehicle accidents within the past two (2) years?

• Yes
• No

Required Question