Firefighter Employment

Please see the Human Resources Employment page here to see if we have any open positions. 

The Selection Process

The Westlake Fire-EMS Firefighter/Paramedic selection process is comprised of the following steps. 

  1. Written Examination 
  2. DPS Row Test - If the Written Exam is passed with 80% or above, the Row Test will be held directly after the Written Exam.
  3. Practice Physical Ability Test
  4. Physical Ability Test
  5. Panel Interview
  6. Chief’s Interview

The candidate must successfully complete each step to proceed and be considered for the position. If the candidate is presented with a conditional job offer, it will be contingent upon successfully completing a thorough background check, a psychiatric evaluation, and a medical evaluation. 

Written Examination & DPS Row Test

The first steps are the Written Examination and DPS Row Test. These will be conducted on the same day. Candidates must bring a valid government issued photo ID to the test site the day of the test or they will not be allowed to take the test.

The Written Examination assesses general knowledge, skills, abilities, and personal characteristics of an individual in order to become successful in firefighting. The categories covered on the test are: Reading Comprehension, Interpreting Tables, Situational Judgment, Logical and Mathematical Reasoning Ability, Reading Gauges, Mechanical Aptitude, Spatial Sense, Map Reading, and Vocabulary. This is a 2 hour timed test and applicants arriving late WILL NOT be allowed to participate in the examination process. The passing score for the examination is 80% or above to move forward to the DPS Row Test. 

Directly after passing the Written Examination, the Texas DPS Row Test will be conducted. 

  • 70% minimum based on age, gender and weight
  • Concept 2 Rower will be used
  • 2000 Meter Row
  • Time Calculator used to determine the 70% pass/fail rate and more information can be found at https://www.dps.texas.gov/ETR/concept2RowerCalc.htm
  • Wear athletic clothing and shoes

Physical Ability Test

This test is a measure of your ability to do certain activities that are important to the job of a firefighter and emergency medical responder. This does not require you to be trained as a firefighter or emergency medical responder when you take the test.

There are seven (7) events in the test. The test is conducted as a full event with candidates moving from one station to the next to simulate emergency operations. An overall time for the completion of the test will be taken: no individual event times will be taken. Each station must be completed successfully before the candidate can proceed to the next station. This is a pass/fail event based on the total maximum time of seven (7) minutes.

There will be a 3 hour practice scheduled for the Physical Ability Test. This is optional and you may attend at any time during those hours. If cancelled due to weather, there will be no make-up day. Each station will be set up with our firefighters there to assist. You will be able to work on each skill individually, however, you will not be allowed to complete the course in its entirety.

Please click here to view detailed information about the Physical Ability Test.

Panel Interview

If you pass the Physical Ability Test, you will be contacted to schedule a Panel Interview. The Panel will be comprised of four peer Firefighters. The interview is timed and will be no longer than 45 minutes. 

Once all of the Panel Interviews have been completed, you will be notified whether or not you are advancing to the Chief’s Interview.

Chief’s Interview

The Chief’s Interview will be conducted by our Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief and Business Services Manager. Please allow two hours for the interview. 

Upon completing the Chief’s Interview, you will be notified of further instructions. 

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If you have any questions, please contact Tamara Cole, Fire-EMS Business Services Manager, at 817-490-5784 or tcole@westlake-tx.org.