Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! We have many military veterans that work with SMFR. We also have a partnership with the Hero to Hero program. To learn more about their process, please visit their website: https://www.herotohero.org/application.

1.             Under the Careers tab on top, select Current Job Opportunities.

2.             On the top of the screen, you will find a search box titled “Search to Activate Job Alerts for Future Opportunities”.

3.           In the search box, enter the keyword or title of the position you are interested in. The system will show 0 opportunities and a message in red that states there are no matches for your criteria.

4.            To the right of the message in red, you will find a blue bar that shows an envelope and a title next to it that states “Activate job alerts for this search”. Please click on that bar.

5.            If you never applied with us before, please register to receive job alerts.

6.            If you already have an account with us, please click on the Sign In link to complete your job alert.

7.            After you Register or Sign in, complete the job alert by clicking on the Create blue button.  

8.            You will be redirected to the main screen that will have a message highlighted in green stating “You have successfully created a job alert”.

The minimum qualifications for all candidates must meet is:

• High school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED) 
• Must be 18 years of age by the date of hire 
• Valid FireTEAM test scores 
• Valid CPAT certificate
• Possess or be able to obtain a Colorado driver’s license Possess and maintain an acceptable driving record in accordance with SMFR’s Driving Records Policy
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment background check, criminal history review, physical, fitness/wellness assessment, medical evaluation, drug screen and psychological exam. 

PARAMEDICS

• Must be 21 years of age by date of hire
• Current Colorado State Paramedic Certification or National Registry Paramedic Certification.
• Current American Heart Association ACLS Provider.
• Current American Heart Association CPR Provider.

An EMT-B certification is not a requirement in order to apply. If a candidate is selected for hire without an EMT-B certificate, the candidate must attend and successfully pass the EMT-B course hosted by South Metro Fire Rescue. A candidate that does not pass the EMT-B course will be eliminated from the hiring process.

At this time, we do not have plans to have a lateral academy. Experienced Firefighters and Firefighter/Paramedics, need to go through our regular academy. We recognize experience after graduating academy.

To qualify for experienced Firefighter pay, applicants must have at least 3 years of paid experience as a Firefighter (within the last 12 months) with a full-time fire service agency whose primary responsibility is fire protection and emergency medical service along with a 400-hour academy. 

To qualify for experienced Paramedic/Firefighter pay, applicants must have at least 3 years of paid experience as a paramedic (within the last 12 months) with a full-time fire service agency whose primary responsibility is fire protection and emergency medical service or 3 years of full-time paramedic experience in an emergency medical services or medical field. 

Candidates are required to have a valid CPAT certificate through the date of hire. There are numerous testing sites in Colorado. Please see the links below for some agencies that offer a CPAT test. Out-of-state candidates can get their CPAT from various agencies in their area. However, be advised that all tests need to be accredited through the IAFF.

Denver Fire         Aims Community College         National Testing Network

Please be advised that your FireTEAM scores are valid for one year. A CPAT will also expire after one year. Please ensure they align with our hiring timelines. If we don't have any current openings, your test scores and CPAT may expire by the time we open our hiring process. 

After completing your Firefighter probationary task book (about one year), please let your chain of command know you would like to pursue Paramedicine. Budget permitting, we would send you to paramedic school to start that transition to becoming a Paramedic. 

During the academy, we will work with the recruits on how to get their certifications transferred or obtained in the State of Colorado.  

When South Metro Fire Rescue has an open recruitment for an academy, a hiring timeline will be posted along with the start date of the academy. Please sign up to receive email notification of our job announcement by selecting to receive email alerts. To sign up, please visit our job postings page and click on notify me.

Yes, please click on the "How Do I" on the top section of our website and select Ride Alongs under the Requests section to schedule. Please note once a hiring cycle starts, ride alongs will be discontinued until the close of the hiring cycle.

All communication throughout the hiring cycle will be sent to the email address that you provided to the National Testing Network when the FireTEAM test was taken. Please be sure to enter your email address correctly on your application and check your email frequently, including your junk or spam email folder. All applicants will be notified of their status via email at each phase of the hiring cycle. 

Please refer to our Careers page. This provides the most up-to-date information on what each academy will include whether it's for firefighters only or a mix of firefighters and firefighters/paramedics. 

Please follow this link from SMFR's Wellness Division to get more information regarding a fitness program and an explanation of the VO2max test.

https://wellness.southmetro.org/public-posts/smfr-candidate-fitness-program-8-weeks/

According to the CDC, A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold.

A diagnosis with coronavirus 229E, NL63, OC43, or HKU1 is not the same as a COVID-19 diagnosis. Patients with COVID-19 will be evaluated and cared for differently than patients with common coronavirus diagnosis.

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

According to the CDC, early information out of China, where COVID-19 first started, shows that some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness. This includes:

• Older adults
• People who have serious chronic medical conditions like:
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Lung disease
  

The best course of action to combat the COVID-19 virus is to follow the CDC’s recommendations for prevention, which can be found here. This includes:

• Washing Hands.  It’s important to wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Clean and Disinfect Frequently: Clean your working area, and other frequently touched objects and surfaces with cleaning sprays or wipes.
• Avoid Touching Eyes, Nose and Mouth: If you can, please avoid touching your face as much as possible.
• Stay Home if You Are Feeling Sick: If you are feeling ill, take similar precautions that you would with any other sickness and please stay home.

If our crews are affected, we will take the necessary steps and recommendations from the CDC to see if any of our crews are high or low risk of exposure and monitor them as needed.

YES, Retirees have been approved with complimentary access to SMFR EAP benefits. Click on the “Peer Support & EAP Benefits” link for information on accessing this benefit.   

YES, Retirees have also been approved with complimentary access to "SMFR PEER Support Members” at any time. Click on the “Peer Support & EAP Benefits” link for information on accessing this benefit. 

YES, there is a web link for existing Retirees and future retirees that provides comprehensive list to “Health Care Options”. Click on the “Health Care Options” link on the Retiree We Portal for information on accessing this list. 

YES, retirees can access this information by clicking on the “Pension & Investment Options” link on the website.

YES, retirees can access this information by clicking on the “Social Security Benefits” link on the website

YES, retirees can access this information by clicking on the “Retiree Uniform Protocol” link on the website.

YES, retirees can access this information by clicking on the “Retiree Uniform Protocol” link on the website.

YES, retirees can access and submit a request to be a member of the “South Metro Fire Alumni" Facebook Page

At the present, there is no benefit for access to the Wellness Center. This will be evaluated in the future.  

YES, this will be provided upon retirement (20 YOS or more). Employees will be required to provide their existing ID Badge in exchange for the Retiree ID Badge. 

At the present, there is not a system to provide this securely. However, you can reach out to the specific station via phone or contact the On-Duty BC’s.  

Our key distinction is that we do not simultaneously conduct educational classes alongside our station tours. Please review the station tour and badge program sections to learn more about each offering!

During a station tour, scouts will experience an exclusive glimpse into the world of firefighters. Scouts will have the chance to explore a real fire station, check out unique firefighting equipment, and engage in interactive Q&A sessions with our dedicated first responders. This is more of a "meet and greet," and we do not work towards specific badge requirements during station tours.

Please note that our firefighters remain on standby for emergencies, and requests must be received at least three weeks before the requested tour date. Review all requirements and schedule a station tour.

For a more structured learning opportunity, we've developed a specialized badge program, Scouting Day: Fire and First Aid, to help scouts fulfill badge requirements while learning about fire safety and emergency response. Join us for an educational adventure your troop will remember!

Our next Scouting Day adventure will be Spring 2026. Sign up for the waiting list on the South Metro Fire Community Risk Reduction website.

We have compiled some of our favorite videos, classes, and lesson plans to help you work towards your merit badges!

• What Do Firefighters Wear?
• Fire 101: Basics Of Fire Science
• Smokey Bear Campfire Safety Series
• Lesson plan: The Science of Fire and More
• Lesson plan: Safety Search
• Digital Book: Rescue Dogs, Firefighting Heroes, and Science Facts
• Video + Kahoot!: The Science of Fire

Visit the South Metro Safety Foundation website for more information on CPR/first aid classes, babysitting classes, classes for new drivers, and classes for kids who spend time home alone.  

Please view the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Colorado Household Medication and Sharps Takeback program webpage for further information and resources.

Please view the Take Meds Seriously website for further information and resources.

Oxygen bottles must be returned to the original supplier. Unopened medical supplies can be donated to organizations such as Project Cure.

Please visit the South Metro Community Risk Reduction Hazardous Materials webpage to learn more about disposal of household hazardous materials. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Programs webpage also has further information and resources.

Please view the National Flag Foundation's How to Properly Dispose of an American Flag webpage for further information and resources.

SMFR does not accept fire extinguishers for disposal. SMFR does not recharge fire extinguishers. SMFR encourages individuals to contact the manufacturer of their fire extinguisher to get accurate information regarding the safe handling of their product, safe disposal of their product, and more.

Please view the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Colorado Household Medication and Sharps Takeback Program webpage for further information and resources.