The Plano Fire Department is a progressive organization delivering a wide variety of emergency and non-emergency services. Emergency services include: fire suppression, advanced life support medical treatment and patient transportation, specialized rescue operations, hazardous material incident mitigation, and response to weather-related emergencies. Primary non-emergency services include: fire prevention inspections, public fire safety education programs, public CPR classes, and support of numerous community events.
The Plano Fire Department continues its growth with one additional station forecast for the next few years. At present, the Department is averaging around twelve vacancies per year as a result of Department growth, resignations, and retirements.
Civil Service Examination :
The City of Plano Fire Department is a civil service organization governed by the Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 143. All applicants seeking an entry-level position must successfully complete the written Civil Service entrance examination which is conducted as necessary to maintain a hiring eligibility list. The Civil Service Director maintains a Fire Department Employment Hotline at (972-941-7402) which may be contacted at anytime for the most up-to-date information on the next entrance examination. Additional information may also be obtained at the City of Plano employment information page .
Candidates who have served in the military and wish to receive five (5) additional points to their passing score (70) must provide, no later than the day of the exam, a photocopy of Form DD214, Undeleted, which indicates that the individual served a minimum of 180 consecutive days active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States and received an “Honorable” discharge (Undeleted DD214 contains sections 23-30). General discharges under honorable conditions or any other discharges are ineligible. Do not provide your original DD214.
Each eligibility list shall be in effect for one year from the date of the examination, unless exhausted earlier.
Certification :
The Plano Fire Department requires that individuals applying to the Department have a high school diploma or possess a GED equivalency certificate and have successfully completed 30 college hours. Military personnel and out-of-state applicants should contact the Texas Commission on Fire Protection and Texas Department of State Health Services in order to obtain the requirements for moving certifications to Texas.
Eligibility Requirements :
The eligibility requirements for Plano Fire Rescue Specialist are established by the City of Plano Fire Fighters’ and Police Officers’ Civil Service Commission. Click here for requirements.
Physical Ability & Health Requirements
Click here to see a video demonstration of the Plano Fire Department’s Physical Agility Test.
Causes for Disqualification :
That the applicant:
1. Citizenship: Is not a citizen of the United States of America. (Temporary disqualification until citizenship obtained.)
2. Language Requirement: Has failed to demonstrate his/her ability to read, write, and fluently speak the English language. (Temporary disqualification until deficiency corrected.)
3. Essential Functions of Position: Is unable to perform the essential functions of the position to which he/she seeks appointment, with or without reasonable accommodation. (Temporary disqualification until deficiency corrected.)
4. Physical Ability Test: Is unable to successfully complete the Plano Fire Department Physical Agility Test within one (1) attempt. (Temporary disqualification for 12 months.)
5. Debt Responsibility: Demonstrates a failure to pay just debts. Candidates will be considered on a case by case basis due to the number of variables involved with factors considered including type and number of debts, reason(s) for the bad credit, extenuating circumstances, and the potential for the credit-related problems impacting the applicant’s judgment and integrity. (Temporary disqualification until resolution of bad credit and/or credit related issues.)
6. Felony Conviction: Has been convicted of conduct that constitutes a felony under State or Federal Law or the Code of Uniform Military Justice. (Permanent disqualification).
7. Felony Conduct Admission: Has admitted conduct that constitutes a felony under State or Federal Law, or the Code of Uniform Military Justice and/or has accepted probation and/or deferred adjudication for such conduct. (Temporary disqualification of up to ten years with a minimum disqualification until the statute of limitation expires for the applicable violation and the Candidate has demonstrated appropriate improvement in judgment.)
8. Class A or B Misdemeanor Conviction: Has been convicted of conduct that constitutes a Class A or Class B Misdemeanor under State or Federal Law or the Code of Uniform Military Justice and/or has accepted probation and/or deferred adjudication for such conduct. (Temporary disqualification for up to five (5) years dependent upon nature of crime and a demonstrated improvement in judgment.)
9. Class A or B Misdemeanor Admission: Has admitted conduct that constitutes a Class A or Class B Misdemeanor under the Texas Penal Code, equivalent Federal Law, or equivalent Code of Uniform Military Justice and/or has accepted probation and/or deferred adjudication for such conduct. (Temporary disqualification until the statute of limitation expires for the applicable violation and the Candidate has demonstrated an appropriate improvement in judgment.)
10. Moral Turpitude: Has admitted to conduct involving a crime or act of moral turpitude. Candidates will be considered on a case by case basis with factors considered including the nature of the event and the potential for the conduct impacting the applicant’s ability to perform Public Safety duties and uphold the expected conduct and image required of a firefighter. Individuals registered as “sex offenders” will be permanently disqualified. (Temporary or Permanent disqualification based on nature of occurrence.)
11. Pending Criminal Charge: Currently has pending criminal charges of any type, or is on “deferred adjudication” and/or “probation” for a criminal offense other than minor Class C traffic violations. (Temporary disqualification pending the resolution of the criminal charges and/or completion of the deferred adjudication and/or probation requirements and a demonstrated improvement in judgment.)
12. False or Incomplete Information: Has made a false statement in any material fact; withheld information, practiced or attempted to practice deception or fraud in his/her application, examination, background investigation, polygraph examination, or medical examination. (Permanent disqualification).
13. Employment Process Completion: Has failed to complete or satisfactorily meet the employment process requirement of the Fire Department including, but not limited to, missed appointments, failure to return application package or other necessary paperwork, failure to promptly notify the Fire Department of changes in address or telephone numbers, or who otherwise fail to complete the application process. (Temporary disqualification for 12 months.)
14. Oral Interview Process: Has failed to satisfactorily complete the oral interview process, including, but not limited to any personal or automated interview process. Candidates will be disqualified for failure to verbally communicate effectively and appropriately; failure to demonstrate an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a Plano firefighter; failure to present the maturity expected of a Plano firefighter; failure to accurately and precisely respond to the questions of the interviewers; and failure to demonstrate his/her knowledge of the essential skills, knowledge, and abilities expected of a certified Firefighter or Emergency Medical Technician. (Temporary disqualification until next examination.)
15. Illegal Drug Use: Has used illicit substances as indicated by the following guidelines:
a) Admission of illegal use of marijuana five or less times (experimentation) within the last two (2) years. (Temporary disqualification until two (2) years has passed from last use.)
b) Admission of illegal use of marijuana more than five times within the last five (5) years. (Temporary disqualification until five (5) years has passed from last use.)
c) Admission of abuse or misuse of legally obtained prescription medication(s), or illegal use of the prescription medication(s) of another person. Conduct involving the use abuse and/or misuse of prescription medication(s) will be considered on a case by case basis with consideration given to circumstances and elapsed time since last drug use. (Permanent or temporary disqualification based on circumstances.)
d) Admission of illegal use of felony grade substances as defined in the Texas Penal Code. (Temporary disqualification until ten (10) years has passed since last use.)
e) Admission of illegal use of anabolic steroids. (Temporary disqualification until ten (10) years has passed since last use.)
f) Admission of the illegal use of one or more of the following common name drugs and/or their chemical analogs:
- Crystal Methamphetamine or Methamphetamine
- Heroin
- OxyContin
- Crack Cocaine
- PCP
- Katamine
- LSD
(Permanent disqualification)
16. Driving Record: Has a driving record incompatible with the safe operation of emergency vehicles, the required driving standards of the City of Plano Risk Management Department, or which present potential liabilities to the City of Plano.
a) Three or more events (moving violations or preventable accidents) in the preceding thirty-six (36) months. (Temporary disqualification until standard met.)
b) Reckless driving or similar conviction within preceding sixty (60) months. (Temporary disqualification until standard met.)
c) Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs within the preceding sixty (60) months. (Temporary disqualification until standard met.)
17. Prior Employment: Has a history of unstable work including, but not limited to, short terms of employment over the candidate’s employment history; employment in an illegal occupation; termination of employment without proper notice; and/or dismissal from any public safety position. Has been disciplined, dismissed, or resigned in lieu of dismissal from any employment for inefficiency, delinquency, misconduct or policy violations. Applicants will be considered on a case by case basis with due consideration of the situation(s). (Permanent or temporary rejection based on circumstances.)
18. Judgment Issues: Exercised poor judgment skills within the preceding five years. The applicant has demonstrated either immaturity or poor judgment in the applicant’s decision making process. Examples of such conduct would include, but is not limited to: attendance at parties or social functions at which controlled substances or dangerous drugs are consumed, and such activity is known or should have been known by the applicant; silent acceptance of known illegal conduct by others in his presence; workplace behavior/decisions that adversely affect the business or associates, with little or no objectivity justifiable need for such behavior; arrests for misdemeanor offenses other than minor traffic violations. (Temporary disqualification based on circumstances or until the applicant can demonstrate that the applicant’s judgment skills have developed.)
19. Psychological/Medical: Has failed to receive the required recommendation for employment by the Commission’s psychologist, psychiatrist, or medical doctor. (Temporary or permanent rejection based on nature of the rejection.)
20. Required Minimal Education : Has failed to meet and/or provide documentation of the minimal educational requirements in accordance with Commission rules. (Temporary disqualification until next examination.)
For specific information relating to any disqualifier or your personal situation, contact the Plano Fire Department Personnel Division at 972-941-7186.
If you have questions concerning employment to please email Captain Shawn Childress at shawnc@plano.gov
or 972-941-7295.