Firefighter Entrance Exam

Salary : $47,625.60 - $61,245.36 Annually
Location : Fire Admin.-Texarkana, TX
Job Type: Firefighter - Fire
Job Number: 00570
Department: Fire Department
Opening Date: 03/05/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Firefighter Entrance Examination Application

City of Texarkana, Texas


Fire Department Human Resources
220 Texas Blvd. 220 Texas Blvd.
Texarkana, TX 75501 Texarkana, TX 75501
(903) 798-3994 (903) 798-3533
Thank you for your interest in the Texarkana, Texas, Fire Department. This department is a modern, full career fire agency. We offer an excellent employment opportunity for beginning firefighter positions, with competitive pay, benefits, and retirement. The information that follows is important to understanding your eligibility for this position and the hiring process. Please read it carefully. If you are interested in competing for a position in this department, please complete the Entrance Examination Application and include all applicable documentation.

Position Information

This position involves serving the citizens of Texarkana through providing response to incidents involving firefighting, rescue, hazardous materials, emergency medical, and other emergency response services. Also included in the position responsibilities are participating in fire prevention activities; training; equipment and station maintenance; and public education. The Texarkana Fire Department does not operate a transport Emergency Medical Service.

Salary

STARTING ANNUAL SALARY IS $47,625.60

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Competence : Demonstrates a mastery of skills from current position; these skills include but not limited to EMS; Firefighting and Rescue situations; able to accept tasks and assignments in both emergency and non-emergency situations by your supervisor and have the skills necessary to complete those tasks; continuous self-development in order to maintain skills.; always show positive effort and expertise during training exercises and assist with the development of others; qualified work in position above current job 1 year from date of employment.
Initiative : Takes initiative and ownership of assigned projects; seeks opportunities to improve the service delivery system by proposing new programs and revising existing programs.
Maintenance : Maintains station, grounds, equipment, and apparatuses in a state of readiness; keeps station, equipment, and apparatus presentable at all times; takes initiative to repair discrepancies based on qualifications; promptly reports discrepancies according to established guidelines; teaches others proper preventative maintenance for station, equipment, and apparatuses.
Team-Work : Takes responsibility for own performance - both successes and failures; follows departmental/city policies/procedures; avoids participation in the perpetuation or rumors and speculation; does not share confidential information with peers or the public; consistently projects a positive attitude and professional image through appearance and actions (does not make negative statements about other departments or disparaging remarks about others).
Organizational Consistency : Provides service delivery consistent with City and Department policies, procedures, practices, and expectations; promotes organizational consistency by effectively communicating with internal and external customers; models behavior that promotes organizational consistency; seeks to verify service delivery efforts are consistent with other shifts.
Emergency Response : Performs firefighting activities including laying and connecting of hose lines; holding nozzles and directing fire streams; raising and climbing of ladders; performing forcible entry, salvage, and overhaul; ventilating heat and smoke; extricates victims from burning buildings.
Responds to emergencies, including fires, rescues, hazardous material spills and leaks, accidents, medical problems, and other emergencies.
Performs rescue activities including operating extrication tools, raising and climbing ladders, and performing firefighting activities related to rescue.
Performs hazardous material response activities, including isolating spill site, evacuating potential victims, recognizing and identifying materials involved, extricating victims, decontaminating victims and responders, and confining or containing chemicals involved.
Performs emergency medical activities including treating patients with injuries or medical conditions, stabilizing the spine, establishing an airway, assisting with ventilation, performing CPR, extricating patients from dangerous sites, and carrying patients from site of injury or illness to ambulance.
Physical Fitness : Achieve and maintain an acceptable physical fitness level.
Fire Prevention : Performs fire prevention activities, including educating the public through fire prevention classes and demonstrations, inspecting buildings for fire code compliance and the correction of hazards, and assisting in the investigation of fires to help determine cause and origin.
Participates in fire drills, attends classes in firefighting, emergency medical, hazardous materials, and related subjects.
PERIPHERAL DUTIES

Dons protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus.
Performs other job functions as assigned by the appropriate supervisor.

Eligibility Requirements
The eligibility requirements to be a City of Texarkana, Texas Firefighter are established by the City of Texarkana, Texas Civil Service Commission and the Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 143. Applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Be at least 18 to 35 years of age at the time of testing.Must have reached 18 years of age as of the date of the exam, and not have reached 36 years of age as of the date of appointment.
2. Be able to prove legal eligibility to work within the United States and work in this position within the State of Texas.
3. Be able to read, write, and speak the English language.
4. All applicants for beginning firefighter positions in the City of Texarkana, Texas Fire Department shall possess a high school diploma or a high school equivalency certificate (GED) by the date of the exam to be eligible to take the entrance exam.
5. Must possess a valid driver's license.

No certifications are required to take the entrance exam. However, City of Texarkana Local Civil Service Rules allow preference in hiring to be given to individuals who possess Texas Commission on Fire Protection certification as a structural firefighter, Texas Department of State Health Services certification as an Emergency Medical Technician, and prior full-time, career fire service experience. Your chances for employment will be greatly enhanced if you possess both firefighter and EMT certifications.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.


Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee is occasionally required to frequently lift and/or move up to one hundred (100) pounds. The employee is occasionally required to walk, sit, talk, or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes, or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet at the station and loud at an emergency scene.

TO APPLY:

Complete an online Entrance Examination Application at the City of Texarkana, Texas Website at ONLY ONLINE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED. If you are having trouble with the NEOGOV Applicant tracking site, please call the NEOGOV technical support number at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Texarkana, Texas will make every reasonable effort to accommodate your needs. For any special requests, please call Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

The City of Texarkana, Texas is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of genetic information in compliance with GINA, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, age, or disability in hiring, conditions, or termination of employment. Final applicants for employment with the City of Texarkana are subject to drug testing and background screening.

City of Texarkana, Texas

220 Texas Blvd, Room 104

Texarkana, Texas 75501

Phone View phone number on click.appcast.io
Examination Information:

You will be notified by E-Mail within 7-14 business days that you have completed the Entrance Examination Application and are eligible to take the exam.

The examination is a comprehensive exam in a multiple choice format with no required prior knowledge of firefighting.

Only those applicants who earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher on the test will receive further consideration. Those applicants having served in the United States Military and receiving an honorable discharge are eligible for five (5) additional points upon scoring at least seventy percent (70%) on the exam. In order to receive these Veteran's points, applicants must submit a copy of their DD-214 when completing the online Entrance Examination Application or submit their DD-214 prior to the beginning of the exam starting in order to be eligible to receive the additional points. All DD-214 Forms will become the property of the City of Texarkana, Texas and will not be returned to the applicants. In accordance with Section 143.025 (j) Texas Local Government Code, natural born or adopted children of firefighters who suffered a line of duty death while employed by a Chapter 143 city are automatically placed at the top of the eligibility list upon passing the exam with a minimum score of 70%. Anyone meeting these criteria will be required to produce satisfactory evidence of this qualification prior to the date of the exam. Contact the Civil Service Director for additional information. All applicants are required to provide positive identification before being admitted to the written examination. Please bring a valid driver's license or another form of valid identification.

The eligibility list shall be in effect for 6 months from the date of the examination, unless exhausted earlier.

Screening Information:

Upon passing the civil service exam, all applicants must complete a physical ability test.

A formal interview before a review board of fire department officers and a thorough background investigation, including polygraph examination, will be conducted. Examples of disqualifying background information include, but are not limited to, felony conviction, poor credit history, poor employment record, substance abuse, driving under the influence, and excessive traffic violations. Specific requirements on background are found in a subsequent section of this application.

Eligible candidates must pass a basic physical examination, including hearing and vision screenings, and urine drug screen. Applicants must be in good physical condition, free from disease or defects that would interfere with the satisfactory performance of the duties of the position.
Minimum Background Standards for Employment

The Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) is the regulating agency for all career fire departments in the state of Texas. TCFP regulations state, in Section 403.1 (b)

"The duties and responsibilities of persons who hold certifications issued by the commission each involve matters that directly relate to public safety. Fire protection personnel often have access to areas not generally open to the public. The public relies on the honesty, trustworthiness, and reliability of persons certified by the commission. Thus, crimes involving moral turpitude, including but not limited to fraud and dishonesty, are directly relevant. In addition, the ability of such persons to function unimpaired by alcohol or the illegal use of drugs, in dangerous or potentially dangerous circumstances, including but not limited to the operation of emergency vehicles is paramount in light of the duty to protect the health and safety of the public."

Based on this regulation and the obligation of this department to provide for the safety of the public and to maintain the trust of our citizens, we have established these guidelines for background investigations. It is our belief that the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.

Please note that all standards listed are minimum standards. This department intends to hire the best possible employees, so meeting minimum standards does not insure employment.

Firefighter Entrance Examination Application Instructions

READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING

These instructions are provided as a guide to assist you in properly completing the Entrance Examination Application . It is essential to answer all questions truthfully, completely and accurately. Skipping a question and/or not digitally signing will result in disqualification.

1. The application is used to determine eligibility to sit for the examination based on the minimum hiring requirements and disqualifiers as outlined in Chapter 143 of the Texas Local Government Code, accompanied by the City of Texarkana, Texas Fire Fighters' Civil Service Commission Rules and Regulations.
2. Questions regarding the application can be directed to James W. Bramlett II-City of Texarkana, Texas Administrative Services Director/Civil Service Director; Email: View email address on click.appcast.io
3. If you do not meet the requirements or if the disqualifiers apply to you, do not submit the application as you are not eligible to sit for the exam.
4. If your "Yes" or "No" answer needs more clarification, provide more details on the "Comments" section of the application by identifying what number question of the application needs more details. Not providing an explanation may result in you being disqualified from the process.
5. Answer all questions truthfully, completely, and accurately. Every question requires a "Yes" or "No" response to the question. If one of the questions is not applicable to you, enter "N/A" in the space provided. If a question is skipped or if the application is not digitally signed by the applicant, it will result in disqualification.
6. Every question may be verified at a later date during the background investigation with the use of a polygraph investigation. Deliberately omitting or misrepresenting facts or deceptive responses will result in permanent disqualification from the application process.
7. Applicants will be notified within 7-14 business days via email whether or not they are eligible to sit for the exam. As unknown e-mail often reverts to the spam folder, it is the responsibility of the applicant to check both their inbox and spam folder.
8. Only the original submitted application will be accepted. We will not accept any revised and/or corrected applications.

The City of Texarkana, Texas provides three weeks of paid vacation and three weeks of paid sick leave per year as well as 13 paid holidays per year.
Retirement benefits are through the Texas Municipal Retirement System with the City contributing at a rate of 2 to 1 and the employee contributing 7% each paycheck to TMRS. Employees are vested after five years and may retire after either twenty years of service at any age or at age 60 as long as they are vested.
Retirement benefits for the Fire Department are paid through the Firemen's Relief and Pension Fund and employees are eligible to retire after twenty years of employment.
A voluntary 457 deferred compensation program through MissionSquare is also offered to all City employees.
The City of Texarkana, Texas provides health, dental, and vision insurance to its employees at a minimal cost. Life insurance equal to one times your annual salary is offered at no cost to the employee with supplemental life and dependent life insurance also available but is paid by the employee. Insurance becomes effective the first of the month following thirty days of employment.
01


I am currently certified as a Basic Structural Firefighter (or higher level). Attach a copy of your certification if you answered "Yes".

• Yes
• No

02


I am currently enrolled and actively participating in a course that leads to Structural Firefighter certification.

• Yes
• No

03


If you answered "Yes", what State are you completing your course and what is the estimated course completion date? (If you are already a certified firefighter, answer "Certified")
04


I have completed a training program and my firefighter certification is pending. If you answered "Yes", attach your course completion certificate. If you are a certified Firefighter, select "Certified".

• Yes
• No
• Certified

05


Are you currently certified as a Basic EMT (or higher level) by EITHER the Texas Department of State Health Services OR National Registry? If you answered "Yes", attach a copy of your certification.

• Yes
• No

06


If you are not currently certified as a Basic EMT (or higher level) by the Texas Department of State Health Services OR National Registry, are you currently enrolled and actively participating in a course that leads to Basic EMT certification? If you are certified as a Basic EMT, answer "Certified".

• Yes
• No
• Certified

07


If you answered "Yes", what is the estimated course completion date? If you are certified as a Basic EMT then answer "Certified".
08


Have you completed a training program and your EMT certification is pending? If you answered "Yes", attach your course completion certificate. If you are certified as a Basic EMT, answer "Certified".

• Yes
• No
• Certified

09


Do you have full-time career fire service experience?

• Yes
• No

10


If you answered "Yes", list previous department(s) and number of years employed or attach your resume.
11


Have you ever applied for a position with any full-time career fire department?

• Yes
• No

12


If "Yes", list the departments, dates and circumstances in which you were not hired.
13


Applicants who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States and have received an honorable discharge may be eligible for 5 additional points on the written exam. Have you received an honorable discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States of America?If "Yes", you will be required to produce satisfactory evidence of this qualification by attaching your DD-214 or bringing your DD-214 with you on the date of the exam.

• Yes
• No

14


Are you a natural born or adopted child of a firefighter who suffered a line of duty death while employed by a Chapter 143 city? If "Yes", you will be required to produce satisfactory evidence of this qualification prior to the date of the exam.

• Yes
• No

15


By the date of the exam will you have a high school diploma or a high school equivalency certificate (GED)? IF "NO", DO NOT PROCEED. YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE EXAM.

• Yes
• No

16


Will you have reached your 18th birthday by the date of the exam? IF "NO", DO NOT PROCEED. YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE EXAM.

• Yes
• No

17


Are you currently 36 years of age or will you have reached your 36th birthday by the date of the exam?IF "YES", DO NOT PROCEED. YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE EXAM.

• Yes
• No

18


Are you currently a legal United States citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States? IF "NO", DO NOT PROCEED. YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE EXAM.

• Yes
• No

19


Have you been convicted of conduct which constitutes a felony under State or Federal law to include the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)?IF "YES", DO NOT PROCEED. YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE EXAM.

• Yes
• No

20


Have you had a conviction within the past five (5) years and/or more than one (1) in your adult history of conduct that constitutes a Class A or Class B Misdemeanor under State or Federal Law, or the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)?IF "YES", DO NOT PROCEED. YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE EXAM.

• Yes
• No

21


Have you had a conviction within the past three (3) years, more than one (1) conviction within the past five (5) years and/or more than two (2) convictions within the past ten (10) years that constitutes a Class C (Non-Traffic) Misdemeanor under State or Federal Law, or the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)?IF "YES", DO NOT PROCEED. YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE EXAM.

• Yes
• No

22


Are there currently any criminal charges pending against you?IF "YES", DO NOT PROCEED. YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE EXAM.

• Yes
• No

23


Have you used or possessed marijuana (THC, Cannabis, Hashish) at any time during the last two years?IF "YES", DO NOT PROCEED. YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE EXAM.

• Yes
• No

24


Have you committed conduct which constitutes abuse of legally obtained prescription medication(s) or used the prescription medication(s) of another person?

• Yes
• No

25


If "Yes", list Date(s), Month/Year, Medication(s), Number of Times Used, Method of Use (smoked, etc.), Circumstances. If "No", answer N/A.
26


Have you used cocaine or any derivative of the drug within the past five (5) years?IF "YES", DO NOT PROCEED. YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE EXAM.

• Yes
• No

27


Have you used heroine or any derivative of the drug within the past five (5) years?IF "YES", DO NOT PROCEED. YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE EXAM.

• Yes
• No

28


Have you ever used ecstasy (XTC, Ice or any other street name) or any derivative of the drug within the past five (5) years?IF "YES", DO NOT PROCEED. YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE EXAM.

• Yes
• No

29


Have you used hallucinogens including but not limited to PCP, LSD, Peyote, Mescaline, or Psilocybin (Angel Dust, Mushrooms, or any street name) or any derivative of the drug within the past five (5) years?IF "YES", DO NOT PROCEED. YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE EXAM.

• Yes
• No

30


Have you used methamphetamine (Amphetamines/Crystal Meth/Speed/Crank or any other common street name) or any derivative of the drug within the past five (5) years?IF "YES", DO NOT PROCEED. YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE EXAM.

• Yes
• No

31


Have you illegally used any drug or any derivative of a drug or combination of drugs not specifically mentioned herein (including but not limited to Quaaludes, Downers, Tranquilizers, Biphetamine, Preludin, Dilaudid, Talwin/PBZ, Inhalants (glue/paint), Designer Drugs, Rohypnol (date rape drug), Clikums/Xanbars within the past five (5) years?IF "YES", DO NOT PROCEED. YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE EXAM.

• Yes
• No

32


Have you illegally used anabolic steroids within the last five (5) years?IF "YES", DO NOT PROCEED. YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE EXAM.

• Yes
• No

33


Have you had more than two (2) moving violations or preventable accidents within the past 12 months and/or more than three (3) moving violations or preventable accidents in the preceding three (3) years? (This includes citations including but not limited to speeding, running stop signs/red lights, and/or racing).IF "YES", DO NOT PROCEED. YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE EXAM.

• Yes
• No

34


Have you been convicted of driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs within the preceding five (5) years or more than two (2) times in your adult history? IF "YES", DO NOT PROCEED. YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE EXAM.

• Yes
• No

35


Have you had a history of unstable work during your employment history? (Unstable work includes, 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.)

• Yes
• No

36


Have you ever been employed in an illegal occupation?IF "YES", DO NOT PROCEED. YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE EXAM.

• Yes
• No

37


Have you ever terminated employment without giving the proper notice?

• Yes
• No

38


If "Yes", explain in detail. If "No", answer N/A.
39


Have you ever been dismissed from any public safety position?

• Yes
• No

40


If "Yes", explain in detail. If "No", answer N/A.
41


Have you ever been dismissed or resigned in lieu of dismissal from any employment for policy violations such as inefficiency, delinquency, or misconduct?

• Yes
• No

42


If "Yes", explain in detail. If "No", answer N/A.
43


Is there anything that was not asked of you in this application that you believe could potentially disqualify you for the position as a beginning firefighter for the Texarkana, Texas Fire Department?

• Yes
• No

44


If "Yes", explain in detail. If "No", answer N/A.
45


COMMENTS: If your "Yes" or "No" answer needs more clarification, please provide that information here and note the number of the question you are referencing.
46


I hereby certify that there are no willful misrepresentations, omissions, or falsifications in this Entrance Examination Application. I am fully aware that any such misrepresentations, omissions, or falsifications will be grounds for immediate and permanent rejection of my application. If you understand and agree with this statement, please type your name in the box below which will indicate your digital signature of this questionnaire. TYPE YOUR FULL NAME IN THE ANSWER BOX TO CERTIFY YOU AGREE TO THE ABOVE STATEMENT.
Required Question