Career Advancement

For those interested in advancing through the ranks, several options are available. The ranks of Lieutenant through District Chief are attained by way of a competitive Civil Service promotional examination. Persons in these positions are covered by Bargaining Unit contract. The ranks above District Chief are made by appointment, and are not part of the collective bargaining process.

Firefighters are eligible to sit for the Lieutenant’s exam after 5 years of consecutive accredited service as a sworn Firefighter.

  • Chief
  • Deputy Chief
  • Assistant Chief
  • District Chief
  • Captain
  • Lieutenant
  • Firefighter

Specializations

The Dayton Fire Department maintains a broad range of specialized units that will allow you to tailor your career to a specific area of interest. These include:

  • Hazmat
  • High Angle Rescue
  • Vehicle Extrication
  • Confined Space
  • Fast Water Rescue
  • Emergency Vehicle Operator
  • Trench Rescue
  • Structural Collapse
  • Rescue Task Force
  • Emergency Medicine