Candidates who pass the written test are placed on an eligible list and referred to the HFD in order of their written test scores, starting with the highest score. Candidates will be referred to HFD when their written test score is reached.
1) Physical Ability Test (PAT)
Candidates will be required to pass a PAT and should prepare themselves by remaining physically fit. The PAT will assess candidates' physical ability to perform the essential functions and duties of a Fire Fighter Recruit I. Specific information regarding the PAT will be provided to candidates as they are scheduled for the PAT. Interested applicants may check out HFD's website at https://fire.honolulu.gov/joinhfd/ for more information regarding the PAT.
2) Interview
Candidates who pass the PAT will be required to participate in an (in-person) oral interview. HFD will conduct interviews based on job-related requirements.
3) Character & Background
Fire Fighter Recruits must possess sound moral character, integrity, and credibility in addition to the ability to provide emergency fire services. They must have the ability to make sound judgments in emergency situations. Each candidate's character and background (including a fingerprint-based criminal history records check) will be reviewed to determine suitability for employment.
4) Suitability Review
The DHR will review criminal convictions, dismissals from employment, separations from military service under other than honorable conditions, and other factors as they relate to the position to determine suitability for employment. Due to the nature of the position, candidates will be required to be fingerprinted as part of their employment suitability review. The DHR will review criminal history record information from the Hawai'i Criminal Justice Data Center and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In addition, the candidate’s driving records will also be reviewed.
NOTE: At the time of interview with the HFD, candidates will be required to submit a copy of their driver’s license and copies of current traffic abstracts.
5) Medical Evaluation
Firefighting and rescue work requires strenuous physical activity performed under emergency and non-emergency conditions. Candidates must meet the medical requirements established for the City and County of Honolulu's FFRI position and be able to safely perform firefighting and rescue work.If selected, a medical examination will be administered to determine whether the candidate meets the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to safely perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations. The medical examination will include, but is not limited to, checking vision, hearing, pulmonary function, respiratory, etc.
The vision requirements are listed below:
-
Near and far corrected visual acuity must be 20/30 binocular or better.
-
For wearers of glasses, gas permeable, or hard contact lenses, far uncorrected visual acuity must be 20/100 binocular or better.
-
Successful long-term soft contact lens wearers have no far uncorrected visual acuity standard provided they have worn their contacts 6 months or more.
-
Color vision must be adequate to distinguish red, green, and amber.
-
Significant decrement in visual field performance in either eye is unacceptable.
The HFD is a drug-free work place. In addition to passing the medical examination, you are also required to pass a drug-screening test. Illegal use of drugs is grounds for disqualification.
6) Probationary Period
Once all pre-employment clearances are successfully obtained, selectees will be required to provide original documents to verify identity and employment eligibility for the mandatory Federal Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) prior to appointment, per the Federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
In addition, upon placement into a FFRI class, recruits must complete all requirements of the HFD Fire Fighter Recruit Training Program. This will include compliance with the requirements of all participating training facilities and completion of 26-34 weeks of recruit training with a satisfactory grade in all subjects, e.g. fire operations and procedures, hose evolutions, ladder drills, forcible entry, salvage, emergency medical care, rescue procedures, operation of fire trucks, advanced lifesaving and water safety, etc.
All Fire Fighter Recruits must successfully pass an initial probationary period before becoming a regular member of the Civil Service. Currently, the initial probationary period is one year, but the duration is subject to adjustments from leaves of absences or other circumstances in accordance with applicable laws, rules, policies and procedures.
Required certificates earned through the Fire Fighter Recruit Training Program must be maintained on a current basis thereafter throughout employment in this class with the HFD.
Passing an annual physical examination administered by the City Physician is also a requirement for continued employment in this class.
Any misstatements or omissions of material facts, as part of your application, are cause for forfeiture of all rights to any employment in the service of the City and County of Honolulu.
Information provided herein constitutes requirements known at the time of announcement of this examination and may be revised or changed without limitation or notice for good reason.
