Opportunity to Become a Fire Cadet

T he Fire Cadet Academy is designed to ensure that Fire Cadets become familiar with the operations of the Fire Department and to provide leadership training. Cadets will receive significant classroom, field and fitness training over the course of the two-year program. Cadets will be required to periodically attend the Fire Academy to participate in classroom training, field training, and fitness conditioning.

Cadets will be assigned to work in FDNY bureaus where they will receive hands-on training and learn how the bureaus relate to one another in order to provide optimal response to emergencies, as well as to enhance their ability to provide service in a number of capacities throughout the Department. Cadets must be willing to commit to a minimum of 20 hours per week and can work up to 34 hours per week. Benefits of becoming a Fire Cadet include:

  •  Earning $15.67 per hour and qualifying for New City Health Benefits
  •  The opportunity to take the Promotion to Firefighter exam
  •  Exploring Firefighter career paths including Fire Investigations, Advanced Technical Rescue Operations and Marine Environment Operations
  •  Serving the community and experiencing the benefits of a career in public service
  •  Receiving 35 college credits upon successful completion of the Fire Cadet Academy and graduation from the FDNY Probationary Firefighter School

Opportunity to Become a Firefighter

Cadets who successfully complete the Fire Cadet Academy will be eligible to take the Promotion to Firefighter civil service exam. Those who pass the Firefighter Promotional Exam, successfully complete the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), and meet all other eligibility requirements will qualify for appointment to Firefighter. All those appointed as Probationary Firefighters must successfully complete the Fire Academy.

Eligibility Requirements

Candidates applying to the Fire Cadet Academy must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Education: Candidates must have graduated from a New York City public high school, or a private high school in New York City approved by the New York State Education Department or a recognized accrediting organization and received a four-year high school diploma; or attended and did not graduate from a New York City public high school, or a private high school in New York City approved by the New York State Education Department or a recognized accrediting organization, but obtained a High School Equivalency Diploma (HSE) or its educational equivalent approved by New York State’s Department of Education.
  • Citizenship: Only United States citizens are eligible to become Fire Cadets.
  • Residency: Candidates who are accepted into the Fire Cadet Academy must maintain New York City residency throughout the duration of the program and will be required to establish New York City residency within 90 days of appointment.
  • Age: Candidates must be at least 18 years of age and not above 26 years of age on the date their application is submitted.
  • Language: Candidates must be able to understand and be understood in English.
  • Physical and other requirements: Candidates must be physically fit and able to meet the medical, psychological, and character requirements of the position of Firefighter.

Apply to be a Fire Cadet

To remain informed about the next filing period, please complete our Expression of Interest Form.

Learn the Eight Steps to Become a Fire Cadet

In September 2022, prospective candidates for the Fire Cadet Academy attended Information Sessions at FDNY Headquarters in Brooklyn. During the sessions, attendees were able to learn the Academy’s expectations, participate in a Q&A with our Firefighters and more.

Throughout December of 2022, candidates for the Fire Cadet Academy visited our Fire Academy on Randall’s Island to train on the Stairmill in preparation for their medical examination. During each session, candidates received guidance from our Fire Officers and Firefighters about how to improve their stair climbing performance.

This past February, candidates for the Fire Cadet Academy began their medical examinations at FDNY Headquarters in Brooklyn. During this phase of the hiring process, the Fire Cadet hopefuls underwent a series of assessments to ensure they fulfill the Department’s physical and health requirements for employment.

This past June, the FDNY welcomed in a new class of Fire Cadets. Since then, the aspiring Firefighters have started their classroom and fitness training, as well as their work rotations throughout the various bureaus of our Department.

Contact

For more information, please email FDNY.FireCadet@fdny.nyc.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the FDNY Fire Cadet Academy?
The Fire Cadet Academy is designed to ensure that Fire Cadets become familiar with the operations of the Fire Department and to provide leadership training. Cadets will also attend weekend classroom training, field training and fitness conditioning. Cadets will also attend weekend classroom training, field training and fitness conditioning on Saturdays and Sundays. FCA’s goal is for Fire Cadets to take the Promotion to Firefighter civil service exam during the program. It is our hope that these Fire Cadets will inspire and encourage their friends and family members to also pursue careers with the FDNY.
What is the difference between the Fire Cadet Academy and the FDNY Fire Academy?
With the Fire Cadet Academy, Fire Cadets will receive significant classroom, field, and fitness training over the course of the two-year apprenticeship program. During FCA, Fire Cadets will also receive hands-on training through work rotations with various FDNY bureaus. The FDNY Fire Academy is a 18-week classroom and physical fitness program for Probationary Firefighters to receive training in all aspects of Firefighting: fire suppression and medical response, hazardous materials, collapse and confined space rescue training, auto extrication, building inspections and procedures for engine and ladder operations. The Probationary Firefighters will be assigned to firehouses throughout the city. Fire Cadets must successfully complete both the Fire Cadet Academy and the FDNY Fire Academy in order to be appointed to Firefighter.
How does becoming a Fire Cadet lead to a job as a Firefighter?
Cadets who take and pass the Promotion to Firefighter exam, successfully complete the Fire Cadet Academy, pass the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), and meet all other eligibility requirements may be eligible for appointment as a Probationary Firefighter. All those appointed as Probationary Firefighters must successfully complete the FDNY Fire Academy.
Are there any age eligibility requirements?
Yes, candidates must be at least 18 years of age and not above 26 years of age on the date their application for the Fire Cadet Academy is submitted.
Are there other eligibility requirements?
Yes, candidates must be able to understand and be understood in English. Also, candidates must be physically fit and able to meet the medical, psychological, and character requirements.
Is there an US citizenship requirement?
Yes, United States citizenship is required at the time of appointment to Fire Cadet.
Is there a New York City residency requirement?
Yes, candidates who are accepted into the Fire Cadet Academy will be required to establish New York City residency within 90 days of appointment and maintain New York City residency throughout the duration of the program.
What is the Expression of Interest (EOI) form?
The Expression of Interest (EOI) form is a request to be placed on the Fire Cadet Academy mailing list to receive information about program updates and upcoming events. NOTE: The Expression of Interest form is not an application. You must have an EOI on file in order to be notified when the online application is available.
How can I apply to the Fire Cadet Academy?
To remain informed about the next filing period, please email FDNY.FireCadet@fdny.nyc.gov.
Is there an application fee to apply for the Fire Cadet Academy?
No, the application for the Fire Cadet Academy is free.
What if I submit more than one Fire Cadet Application?
Duplicate submissions are not permitted. Once you submit the upcoming online application, please do not resubmit as this will cause delays in processing your application. Only your initial application will remain on file for review. Furthermore, any information on a submitted application found to be false, untrue, misleading, or misrepresentative might result in the application being disqualified.
After I submit my Fire Cadet Academy Application, what are the next steps?
Applicants will be contacted and scheduled for an assessment. Based on your performance on the assessment, candidates under further consideration will undergo a thorough character and background investigation. Your eligibility requirements will also be checked at this time. In addition, candidates will also be subject to a medical and psychological screening. - Character and Background: Proof of good character and satisfactory background will be an absolute prerequisite to appointment. In accordance with the provisions of law, persons convicted of a felony who do not possess a Certificate of Good Conduct issued by the NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision before the date to appointment or who have received a dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces are not eligible for appointment to the Fire Cadet position.
What can I do to prepare for the Fire Cadet Academy?
After applying, documents needed for processing include proof of U.S. Citizenship, NYS Driver’s License or Non-Driver’s ID, Social Security card, and an Official Transcript or High School Diploma from a high school within New York City. Prospective applicants can begin the process of procuring these documents immediately.
When will the Fire Cadet Academy begin?
We anticipate that Fire Cadets will enter the Academy in June 2023. There will also be periodic classroom training, field training and fitness conditioning.
What will the Fire Cadet Academy entail?
The Fire Cadet Academy is designed to ensure that Fire Cadets become familiar with the operations of the FDNY. Cadets will receive significant classroom, field and fitness training over the course of the two-year apprenticeship program. Cadets will be assigned to work rotations in major FDNY bureaus where they will receive hands-on training and learn how the bureaus coordinate to provide optimal response to emergencies, as well as to enhance their ability to provide service in a number of capacities throughout the Fire Department. There will be also be weekend classroom training, field training and fitness conditioning on Saturdays and Sundays.
Do I need a Driver’s License?
Fire Cadets must obtain a New York State Driver’s License by time of promotion to Firefighter. If you have moving violations, license suspension(s) or an accident record, you may be disqualified. This license must be maintained for the duration of your employment.
How long is the Fire Cadet Academy?
The Fire Cadet Academy is a two-year apprenticeship program.
Is the Fire Cadet Academy a full-time program?
Cadets must be willing to commit a minimum of 20 hours per week and can work up to 34 hours per week.
What are the hours for the work rotations and where are they located?
Most of the work rotations are scheduled during normal business hours at various FDNY facilities. However, the classroom and physical fitness training is held periodically at the Fire Department’s training facility at Randall’s Island.
What if I have another job or attend school, can I still participate in the Fire Cadet Academy?
Fire Cadets can attend school or work for another company. However, it is your responsibility to work around the Fire Cadet Academy schedule. For more information about second jobs and conflicts of interest for current city employees, please visit the COIB website.
If I am accepted into the Fire Cadet Academy, do I still have to take an exam to become a Firefighter?
Yes. In order to become a Firefighter, Fire Cadets must successfully take and pass the Promotion to Firefighter exam with the Department of Citywide and Administrative Services (DCAS). The Fire Cadet Academy will prepare Cadets to meet all qualification requirements for appointment to Probationary Firefighter. For more information on civil service exams, please visit the DCAS website.
What is the difference between the Firefighter and the Promotion to Firefighter exams?
The Firefighter open-competitive (OC) exam is open to all individuals. Age Requirement: You must be at least 17 ½ years of age by the end of the application period and, except as noted below, you must not have reached your 29th birthday by the beginning of the exam application period to be eligible to take this examination. You must have reached your 21st birthday to be eligible for promotion to Firefighter. Exception to the Age Requirement: All persons who were engaged in the military duty as defined in Section 243 of the New York State Military Law may deduct from their actual age the length of time spent in active full military duty up to a maximum deduction of six years. The Promotion to Firefighter (Promo) exam is ONLY open to current Fire Department employees in specific civil service titles, including Fire Cadet. The Exception to the Age Requirement does not apply to individuals in the Fire Cadet title.
What if I’m already an FDNY EMT or currently in the process of becoming an FDNY EMT?
As an FDNY EMT you may qualify for the same Promotion to Firefighter exam as the Fire Cadet. Both positions can lead to the Firefighter career track. You cannot serve simultaneously as an FDNY EMT and FDNY Fire Cadet.
Will being a member of the Armed Forces help my chances of being accepted into the program?
Unfortunately, Fire Cadet is a non-competitive title and does not currently offer any preference to any former or active members of the Armed Forces. Members who are not active or Reservists can still participate in the Fire Cadet Academy. However, it is your responsibility to work around the Fire Cadet Academy schedule.
How can I find out more information about the Fire Cadet Academy?
To remain informed about the next filing period, please email FDNY.FireCadet@fdny.nyc.gov.