The department’s training division is responsible for the in-service training and education of firefighters. Newly appointed firefighters will first be assigned to the division as an orientation to the department. The captain and lieutenant that work in the training division also act as the safety sector on a fire scene. The division is also responsible for outfitting the firefighters with personal protective gear and obtaining tools and equipment.
During application periods, interested persons can apply online at firefighterapp.com. Job descriptions, minimum requirement and other related info can be found there. Applicants must have recently passed the written entry level exam and physical performance assessment test conducted by the Rhode Island Association of Fire Chiefs. For more information about those tests click Written Exam or PPA.
All Pawtucket firefighters need to be Rhode Island licensed Emergency Medical Technicians (Basic, Cardiac or Paramedic) the day they join the fire department. Several colleges and organizations run EMT-Basic classes in the state. Visit the RI Department of Health’s website for a list of places that hold EMT-Basic classes: health.ri.gov/find/emttraining.
Appointed recruits of the Pawtucket Fire Department receive initial firefighting training through the state’s fire academy.