Upon successful completion of the NH Entrance Exam Process, individuals are placed on the NH Fire Standards & Training's list for Firefighter candidates.  Fire Departments can accept other testing results that meet the Fire Commission Code of Administrative Rules from areas outside New Hampshire, but that is a Local Fire Department decision. The majority of Fire Departments will routinely use the state compiled list and find it more convenient and easier to verify candidates on the State List, then to compile and follow up on a candidate’s out of state information.

Most municipal Career Fire Departments will use a multiple phase hiring process to find the best candidate and to adhear to Fire Commission Code.  The Durham Fire Department hiring process begins with a review of applications and resumes from candidates on the state list, or from Career Firefighters eligible for lateral transfer from another NH department.  Those deemed most qualified are invited to be interviewed by an Oral Board Panel.  Panels vary in size of 4 or more members consisting of Firefighters and shift officers.  After the Oral Board interview, candidates may be requested to participate in emergency medical skills evaluations, and / or a general fire service knowledge evaluation.  Oral Board interviewers and assesors will then rank each candidate by performance and make recommendations for interviews to the Chief of the department.  The Chief or other administrative officer, will choose the final candidate(s) for the position(s) based on his or her interview and in turn will make a recommendation to the Town of Durham.  As each NH Career Fire Department hiring process and size varys, so will the process.  The entire testing process to hire a professional Firefighter in New Hampshire could take as little as a few days or up to a few months. 

Upon hiring, all candidates will be required to pass a medical exam conducted on behalf of  the employer, a criminal backround check and driving record check prior to active employment.  Any candidate chosen who does not have all qualifications desired for the department, may be required to complete further training within a year of employment. 

To view the online NH Fire Standards and Training requirements on hiring, follow this link.