Municipal fire department · Texas · United States

San Antonio Fire Department

The San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) protects the City of San Antonio, the seventh-largest city in the United States by population, covering roughly 500 square miles and 1.4 million residents. The department fields approximately 1,800 uniformed personnel from around 55 fire stations and operates a combined fire and EMS model: every sworn member is cross-trained to at least EMT level, with a substantial cohort certified as paramedics, and SAFD ambulances handle the city's 911 medical responses alongside fire suppression. Specialised units include technical rescue, hazardous materials response, an aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) team at San Antonio International Airport, and wildland response. Recruitment is administered by the City of San Antonio Human Resources Department under Texas civil service rules for municipal fire services. Candidates progress through a written entrance examination, the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), medical and psychological screening, an oral interview, and a background investigation. Successful applicants enter the SAFD Training Academy for a recruit course covering structural firefighting, EMT certification, technical rescue, and hazmat awareness. Application windows align with budgeted academy classes — check the official recruiting page for current dates. Bluewatch links to the official portal; we do not handle applications.