Becoming A Lateral Firefighter

The Lateral Application is currently CLOSED.

The Commission will attempt to adhere to this schedule, however, circumstances such as litigation, lack of appropriations, or other unforeseen events may require the rescheduling of an examination. Per City Charter Section 9.3.11(F).

While this schedule reflects two-year eligible registers, the Commission may administer an examination and establish a new eligible register prior to the two-year date noted below. Names shall remain on the register at least one year.

If a new register has not been completed at the end of the one year, the register will remain effective until a new register is established, but in no event shall a register for promotional appointment be effective for more than two years.

Please read the announcement and informational booklet for details regarding the testing/screening phases, the qualifications and experience requirements, and the required certifications needed at the time of application.

Announcement of Examination

2020 Lateral Informational Booklet

Fire Application

Frequently Asked Questions

More Information

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must meet all of the employment requirements and minimum qualifications established by the Department of Safety, Fire Department and the Denver Civil Service Commission.

In order to qualify as a Lateral Firefighter, at the time of application, applicants must be:

Currently employed as a full time paid firefighter employed by a state, county, or municipal fire department;
OR a retired firefighter who voluntarily separated (within the last 12 months) from full time paid employment from a state, county, or municipal fire department;
OR a former paid firefighter who separated (within the last 12 months) as a result of lay-offs from full time employment by a state, county, or municipal fire department;
WITH a minimum of three years (full-time) paid firefighting experience while employed full time by a state, county, or municipal fire department. (Academy training does not count toward the three-year experience requirement.)

Lateral applicants will be required to submit all applicable training records and three (3) years of current or most recent department evaluations.
At the time of application, applicants must possess and provide copies of the following certifications/accreditations:

State Firefighter II certification (must meet ProBoard/IFSAC accreditation);
Hazardous Materials Operations certification (must meet ProBoard/IFSAC accreditation);
Current State of Colorado or National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification; and
Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification (must meet Healthcare Provider or Professional Rescuer qualification).

Certifications can be emailed to:
csc.entry.fire@denvergov.org

At time of appointment, applicants must also possess and provide a copy of a Current Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certification. Per the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), CPAT certifications are only valid for a twelve month period of time from date of issuance.

Applicants must not have any job performance issues resulting in a negative or “needs improvement” status or evaluation in the past 24 months and applicants can have no disciplinary actions in their current or former department resulting in lost time in the past 24 months.

Additional information on the application process and qualifications can be found from the Informational Booklet.