Firefighter Exams

Currently, the Entry-Level Firefighter examination consists of three phases:

• Phase I: Multiple Choice Examination (pass/fail)
• Phase II: Oral Examination aka Fire Oral Assessment Mechanism (FOAM) (band/fail)
• Phase III: Physical Examination aka Firefighter Mile (pass/fail)

• Firefighter Selection Process(PDF, 331KB)
• Firefighter Background Removal Standards(PDF, 362KB)
• Background Removal Standards for Firefighter applications received after December 13, 2021(PDF, 362KB)
• Firefighter Entry Level Test Guide(PDF, 907KB)
• Firefighter Mile Candidate Orientation Guide(PDF, 3MB)
• Firefighter Mile Orientation Video
• FOAM Practice Scenario Video
• FOAM Response to Practice Scenario Video
• Veterans Preference Fact Sheet(PDF, 734KB)
• Civil Service Commission Medical Guide for Firefighter Candidates(PDF, 185KB)
• Treadmill Stress Test Guide(PDF, 182KB)
• Fire Training Academy Warm-Up Exercises

Information Sessions

Information sessions are designed to help firefighter exam candidates understand what is expected during the testing process. An overview of the City of Columbus Civil Service Commission Firefighter test guide will be provided, along with a question and answer session. These information sessions are optional but highly recommended for candidates.

• If you were unable to attend an in-person information session a video of the final information session is linked here. 

Questions? If you have questions about the…

• Position (what the job is like, salary, benefits, recruiting events), please contact the Fire Recruiting Unit. See the bottom of this page for contact information.
• Testing Process (what’s on the test, how to do well), please contact the Civil Service Commission Public Safety Test Team. See the bottom of this page for contact information.
• Your Status on the Current Eligible List, see what band is currently being processed(PDF, 253KB) and other selection process information.

If you have additional questions about the job (salary, job responsibilities, etc.), please contact Fire Recruiting at (614) 645-6387. If you have additional questions about the test, please contact Civil Service at (614) 645-0879.