Lateral Hiring

The application is now live for the summer 2026 Austin Fire lateral class! Don’t miss your opportunity to work with an innovative, forward-thinking department with a strong focus on our members.

Compensation & Work-Life Balance 

Austin Fire's lateral starting pay reflects experience. Your pay during the lateral academy is $31.74/hr.

The “Austin Schedule” is slated to begin in 2027: 24-on, 72-off then 48-on, 72-off. Repeat.

The City of Austin has a generous leave policy compared to other jurisdictions. 

The AFD pension plan has a 3% multiplier on the average of your highest paid 3 years of service. This is one of the best plans in Texas. A forward drop option is also available.

Professional Opportunities

AFD Members serve the community as EMT-Bs from our fire apparatus. Personnel are never assigned to an ambulance.

Austin Fire offers a range of professional opportunities through our divisions: Special Operations, Wildfire, Arson, Prevention, Training, Functional Battalions with deployment opportunities (once credentialed). 

Learn & Grow

Austin Fire is a large department with tremendous opportunity to promote through the ranks.

AFD pays for continuing education and classes required to promote to higher ranks.

AFD's professional development curriculum corresponds with the national model. Members have free access to acquire both an Associates in Fire Protection and Emergency Management at little to no cost through an agreement with Austin Community College.

Lateral Prerequisites 

1. Meet the requirements of the Texas Department of State Health Services for certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (Basic)
2. Meet the requirements set forth in NFPA 1580, 2025 Standard for Emergency Responder Occupational Health and Wellness (2025)
3. Applicants must have been actively employed as a structural firefighter with one or more municipalities, Emergency Service Districts (ESDs), military, or county fire departments within the two (2) years immediately preceding the application date
4. Applicants must possess a minimum of three (3) years of total active service as a full-time paid firefighter with one or more municipalities, ESDs, military, or county fire departments
5. Meet the requirements of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection for certification as a Structure Firefighter (Basic)
6. Applicants must not be older than 35 on the day of the written exam 

Transferring to Texas

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) both offer reciprocity processes for many individuals certified out of state. The following information is provided only as a high-level overview for your awareness. Austin Fire cannot assist with the reciprocity process and does not provide proctor or testing services to candidates. Please refer to each agency directly for more information and questions.

Department of State Health Services EMT License

1. Have current National Registry certification (if you don’t have this but are currently certified in another state there are processes available but further guidance must come from DSHS).
2. Complete a jurisprudence exam (available through many online continuing education providers, AFD will not provide this to candidates).
3. Apply online and pay the associated fee. Upload the jurisprudence certificate of completion.
4. Have the Out of State verification form completed by the jurisdiction you currently (and previously) work for. A list of all available state and local jurisdictions is available on the NREMT site.
5. Complete a fingerprint-based background check through IdentoGo. This must be done separately for DSHS, even though it is the same agency that will complete fingerprinting for your AFD and potentially TCFP applications.
6. Questions can be answered on the linked webpage, or email emscert@dshs.texas.gov.  

TCFP Structure Firefighter

1. Have IFSAC seals for Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Hazardous Materials Awareness and Hazardous Materials Operations (if you have ProBoard or other non-IFSAC certifications in these fields there are processes available but further guidance must come from TCFP).
2. Have the certifying agency complete the IFSAC verification form (available on TCFP’s website).
3. Create an account online with TCFP and upload your IFSAC seals as well as the verification form.
4. Upload proof of medical training, this may be an EMT license (from any state or NREMT) or an EMT course completion certificate
5. Complete a fingerprint-based background check through IdentoGo. This must be done separately for TCFP, even though it is the same agency that will complete fingerprinting for your AFD and potentially DSHS applications.
6. Through your online TCFP account, once the IFSAC seals as well as medical training verification and criminal background check are complete you’ll be able to apply for Basic Structure Firefighter and pay the fee.
7. Questions can be answered on the linked webpage, or email certifications@tcfp.texas.gov.

Please note, both agencies may provide fee waivers for military servicemembers and veterans. If this applies to you, provide your DD-214 to the agency before making any payment.