Hiring Process

Once an applicant has completed their application and are deemed eligible, the Division will reach out to them to schedule a Written Exam.

The next written test will be held at the Urbana Volunteer Fire Company, 3602 Urbana Pike, Frederick, MD 21704 on the following dates:

Saturday, July 8, 2023 at 8:00am

Monday, July 10, 2023 at 4:00pm

Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at 4:00pm

*You must have completed an application and scheduled your date and time. We will not accept walk-ins.

We will be administering a paper/pencil based test developed by iOSolutions. A study guide can be purchased at Written Exam Study Guide, but is not required. 

Immediately following the written exam, candidates will be offered the opportunity to attend a CPAT Orientation at the Public Safety Training Facility. Transportation will be provided. 

The documents listed below should be reviewed as they will be required to be signed or completed as some point during the hiring process. 

Required forms to include the Advanced Notice Agreement-Tobacco/Nicotine Free Agreement will be provided at a later date. 

The following reference material are just for you to review, there is no need to complete them and turn in prior to the written.

Reference Materials:

Recruit Background Packet Fillable Form
Conditions of Employment Agreement
Promissory Note
Training Reimbursement Agreement
Volunteer Service Verification Form

All candidates who pass the written exam with a 70% or higher will be invited to participate in the Candidate Physical Ability Test. The process to schedule for mentorship and testing will be emailed out to all candidates who successfully pass the written.

**The Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services will be accepting IAFC/IAFF CPAT certificates from other jurisdictions if they were successfully completed since January 18, 2023.

CANDIDATE PHYSICAL ABILITY TEST (CPAT) MENTORING  - Candidates that successfully pass the written exam will be able to come and work out with fitness instructors to help prepare for the CPAT test. This will be offered on select dates and times beginning the week of July 24,2023. All eligible candidates will be afforded a minimum of 2 mentorship sessions if desired. 

CANDIDATE PHYSICAL ABILITY TEST (CPAT) TESTING - Candidates must successfully complete the timed Candidate Physical Ability Test in order to move forward to the next step of the hiring process. It is a Pass/Fail Test. Every candidate will be afforded the opportunity to take 2 Practice tests and 1 Final test. If a candidate successfully passes during a Practice Test they have completed the requirement and will receive a CPAT certificate

Both the CPAT Mentoring and Testing will be scheduled through a SignUp Genius link that will be emailed out to all candidates who pass the written exam.

** We highly recommend that candidates print and begin scheduling an appointment for a physical with their physician as SOON as possible! The document is below.

***In order to participate in the mentoring and testing, candidates must print, complete, and bring forms 1-7 below with you to your first CPAT event AND watch both video links below. 

NOTE: If you use a fillable form, please click "Save As" and save to your hard drive-do not save your personal information on the website.

1. CPAT Physical Ability Personal Information Sheet

2. CPAT Test Agreement

3. Advanced Tobacco Agreement

4.Doctors Certification of Fitness to Perform CPAT Packet  * must be completed by medical provider

5. CPAT Legal Waiver Form

6. CPAT Waiver  *must watch the video links below; select the opt out box if you do not plan to participate in any of the CPAT Mentorship offerings (you may change your mind at any point throughout)

7. Heat Acclimatization, Hydration and Fitness Literature and Acknowledgement

Video Links

IAFF CPAT Video

FCDFRS CPAT Video

Additional Resources

CPAT Orientation and Preparation Guide
Pre-CPAT Nutrition Guidelines 

INTERVIEWS - Candidates who successfully complete the CPAT exam will be invited to participate in a panel interview.**All candidates must bring with them a completed Background Investigation Packet (located on the Background Check tab) to the interview.

The interview process is very structured and the interview panel consists of 3 uniformed personnel. Each candidate will be asked the same questions and be required to provide a verbal response in a specific timeframe.

Candidates will be asked questions about how they relate to the community, Co-workers, employers, and people in general. You will also be evaluated on your decision making, problem solving, and life experience skills.

Frederick County Fire and Rescue is looking for professional ,dedicated, and enthusiastic, men and women that value the importance of serving the community. Take the time to ask yourself what values you hold as a high priority in your own life.  Frederick County FF/EMT's and Paramedics focus on coming together as a team during each shift to make the best decisions on each call they run.  They are trusted by the local community to use all the skills learned in some of the most challenging situations.

Once applicants successfully complete the written exam, the CPAT test, and the interview a review committee will meet and select who will receive a Conditional Offer.  

Candidates will be required to upload their completed background investigation packet by the date of their interview.  The background investigation packet can be downloaded here: Recruit Background Packet Fillable Form. 

Please download the packet and save as ‘Last Name’, ‘First Name’-Background Packet.  Read the instructions carefully.

Please complete all areas of the packet.  If you have a question, please contact the number provided on page 2.

Once the candidate completes the CPAT successfully and is scheduled for an interview, they will be provided with a link to upload their completed background packet to. For now we just ask that you download, complete, and save. 

If the candidate received and accepts the conditional offer, the background packet will be opened and the investigation process will begin. 

All potential candidates will have a thorough medical evaluation in accordance with NFPA 1582 to see if they meet the qualified criteria for a career with FCFRS. These appointments will be scheduled via the NeoGov system and instructions will be sent in the conditional offer. All medical evaluations must be completed by Frederick Health Employer Solutions (FHES).

Candidates will partake in a written psychological evaluation, uniform fittings, and fingerprinting that will be administered at the Law Enforcement Center in Frederick once they receive a Conditional Offer. In the weeks following candidates will have a one on one meeting with the psychologist for a more in depth interview.  

Congratulations! If you satisfactorily complete all steps of the application process and are selected as a finalist you will receive a Final Offer of Employment with the academy start date. This will include information on Family Orientation Night.