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The Virginia Beach Fire Department’s comprehensive hiring process may take eight to ten months to complete. The process involves seven stages. Applicants must successfully pass one stage before proceeding to the next. City and state residency are not required. Virginia or North Carolina driver’s license is required within 30 days of employment. Below is a brief description of each stage.
Stage One: Application
The 2013 FF Recruit job posting and application was available January 19 – 22, 2013. Click here to apply. Please provide email address for notifications. IMPORTANT: Save your 2013 Firefighter Recruit confirmation number to track your application status. If you did not receive a WAVE confirmation number, call City Human Resources at 757-385-4157 for assistance.
Stage Two: Written Test
The written test was held February 12, 2013 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, www.VBfun.com.
Email notifications were sent January 28, 2013. Check your inbox, junk, and spam folders for our email with the subject line: VBFD – WT Notice.
Bring completed and notarized Virginia State Police Criminal History Check Request form to your assigned Written Test appointment. VBFD will submit the form to begin your initial background investigation. Photo ID required for test entry.
Stage Three: Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) and Required Documents
Applicants continuing in the process must turn in their completed PHQ by 5:00 PM EST, March 15, 2013. Mail or deliver PHQ and required documents to: VBFD – HR, 2408 Courthouse Drive, Building 21, Virginia Beach, VA 23456-9129. Click here to access the 
VBFD 2013 Personal History Questionnaire.
Required documents include: Make sure all photocopies are legible.
· Photocopy of Driver's License
· Photocopy of High School Diploma or GED. High school transcript with graduation date will be accepted.
· Original State DMV Driving History Records dated after January 20, 2013. Must submit a DMV record for each state in which you were issued a Driver’s License in the past five years (Feb 2008 – present). DMV records from third party sources i.e. insurance companies, other public safety agencies are not acceptable.
· Photocopy of Military Discharge form DD-214, page Member 4 (if applicable)
· Photocopy of Fire certifications issued in 2008 or later (if applicable) – FF I, FF II, HazMat Awareness, and HazMat Operations
· Photocopy of EMS certifications (if applicable) i.e. EMT, First Aid, CPR, BLS
Note: All documents submitted will become property of the City of Virginia Beach Fire Department and will not be returned. Incomplete packets will not be accepted. Start gathering or submitting requests for documentation now. Some agencies require up to 30 days to process your request i.e. DMV Driving Record. Find out the timeline requirements and plan accordingly.
Stage Four: Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)
Virginia Beach Fire Department will utilize CPAT to assess a candidate’s physical ability to complete critical firefighting tasks effectively and safely. CPAT Orientation was conducted February 11 and February 12, 2013, ON THE HOUR, EVERY HOUR from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Attendance is not mandatory; candidates may attend an orientation session on either date. The orientation included a short video on the CPAT followed by a tour of each of the eight stations that make up the test: Stair Climb, Hose Drag, Equipment Carry, Ladder Raise and Extension, Forcible Entry, Search and Rescue, and Ceiling Breach and Pull.
Tests were administered March 4 through March 11, 2013, from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Email notifications were sent February 25.
Candidates should follow the guide on the web site for proper test attire. You will be required to present valid identification and sign a number of forms before taking the CPAT. At the conclusion of the CPAT, you must sign the CPAT Evaluation Form and the Rehabilitation Form. If you fail to complete and sign any of these forms, you fail the CPAT. Those who fail will be encouraged to join the CPAT Mentoring Program.
The Mentoring Program will be conducted on Tuesdays and Thursdays, March 12 through May 2, 2013, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Attendance is not mandatory, but is encouraged. Candidates may also choose to attend as many mentoring sessions as they wish. Candidates will be trained in the skills to complete the CPAT test, including how to achieve the fitness levels needed to be firefighters.
Timed trials will be conducted on April 16 and 18, 2013, from 9:00am to 5:00pm. In these trials, the candidates are allowed to take as much time as necessary to complete the entire course. The Final Test days for candidates who have not yet been successful will be the week of May 6, 2013, from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
VBFD will accept valid CPAT cards from candidates who test anytime beginning November 9, 2012 through May 9, 2013.
For those who opt to take the CPAT with another agency, the deadline to submit a copy of your CPAT Pass certificate or card and contact info for the agency is 5:00PM, Thursday May 9.
Stage Five: PHQ and Required Documents Review
Fire HR will review Personal History Questionnaire, required documents, and initial background reports. Depending on the number of applicants remaining in the process, the City of Virginia Beach Human Resources may narrow the candidate pool to 400 candidates through an automated random selection process. Applicants continuing in the process will receive additional instructions through US Mail.
Stage Six: Interviews and Polygraph
Panel Interviews - Fire HR appointment notice and photo ID required. An additional Chief’s Interview may occur following the panel interview. Candidates will complete a Virginia Department of Social Services Central Registry Check form. Click here to access the CPS Form.
Candidates continuing in the process will receive a polygraph appointment notice and further instructions via email.
Stage Seven: Pre-Placement Assessments
The Fire Chief and Fire HR will review recommendations and final background investigation reports. Conditional offer letters of employment and pre-placement assessment appointments (at City’s expense) will be sent via US Mail.
Final offers of employment are contingent upon the results of the following:
· Medical Exam by the Occupational Health Department
· Fitness Assessment and SCBA Fit Test by the Fire Safety & Wellness division
· FBI fingerprint
· Virginia Department of Social Services/Child Protective Services Central Registry review
The Tidewater Regional Fire Academy (TRFA) is currently scheduled to begin December 2013 or January 2014. All Firefighter Recruits will attend the training academy for seven to eight months. Training will include class work and practicum to obtain certification in Firefighting and Emergency Medical Technician at Basic and Enhanced levels.
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