Firefighter Hiring Process Components:
  The Probationary Period

THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD:

The probationary period, which is usually the last step of the hiring process, will either begin on the first day of the recruit academy or immediately after the recruit academy ends.  Virtually every fire department has what is known as a probationary period for all newly hired personnel and newly promoted personnel.  The probationary period will usually last anywhere from 6 months to 3 years, depending on the department.  12 months or 18 months is the typical length of a probationary period.

During the firefighter probationary period, an individual may be terminated for any reason. Reasons for termination can include not passing the required probationary written tests or skills tests that are usually administered every few months, not "fitting into the culture" of the department, having tardiness or absentee problems, or just having attitude or discipline problems.  Upon termination, that specific reason is not required to be given to the probationary firefighter (or ex-probationary firefighter at this point) and should not be expected to be provided. Providing the reason on terminating the employee can lead to potential liability and lawsuits for a fire department. What usually occurs is that the probationary firefighter is told something to the effect of "you did not complete the requirements or expectations of your probationary period."  End of story. 

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At the end of the probationary period, the individual is usually expected to pass a comprehensive written and skills examination that covers all of the material that was learned in the recruit academy as well as on their probationary period.  Successful completion of this examination leads to the completion of your probationary period and your transition to a permanent position as a firefighter for that fire department. 

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