Firefighter Internship Program

Currently not accepting applications for the Firefighter Internship Program. 

If you are interested in a fire service career, Travis County ESD No. 2 is offering one of the best opportunities to prepare you.  Establishing a career as a firefighter/emergency medical technician is very challenging.  The knowledge skills and abilities required of today’s firefighters can be ominous.  The Travis County ESD No. 2 internship program enables you to become a well-rounded firefighter through education and experience at the same time. 

WHAT IS THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM?

 Travis County Emergency Services District (ESD) No. 2 designed its Internship Program to appeal to motivated individuals who are dedicated to learning the skills necessary for a career in the fire service. By providing an Internship Program, the District benefits by being able to attract, identify and train a diverse group of promising candidates for potential future employment. The community is also served when area citizens can advance their career goals close to home.

The Internship Program gives interns an inside look at the District, and the District likewise has an opportunity to observe and assess an intern’s dedication, skills, and performance. This affords both parties an opportunity to see if an employment relationship meets both parties’ needs. The District provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, military service or genetic information.

Best of all, interns benefit because the Internship Program:

• Offers a condensed training timeline (one academic semester rather than two);
• Does not charge for its training program (unlike other academies where tuition can be thousands of dollars), because the District absorbs all of the administrative, textbook, and material costs; and
• Offers interns, accepted into the program, a quarterly stipend of $1,000.00 upon successful completion of each period of training, up to a maximum of $4,000.00. Stipends will only be offered for periods for which an individual is meeting quarterly objectives in the program.

Also, while employment is not guaranteed, successful completion of the Internship Program and passing the necessary exams may lead to employment with the District or other fire service employers.

The District’s Internship Program offers the following:

1. A basic structure fire suppression course, approved by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP), that qualifies successful graduates to take the TCFP basic structural fire-fighting exam;
2. An emergency medical services training course, approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), that qualifies successful graduates to take the National Registry exam and the DSHS state certification exam for certification as an EMT-Basic; and
3. Training for the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT).

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE TO JOIN THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM?

Applicants must be at least age 18, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and not have any conditions that would disqualify them from eventual employment as firefighter/EMTs in Texas. TCFP and National Registry have background check requirements and require U.S. citizenship or other eligibility to work in the United States. Applicants must be able to read, write, and speak English; understand and follow supervisory direction; and meet the Internship Program attendance requirements. Interested applicants must:

1. Complete the District’s internship application packet:
2. Complete the District’s interview;
3. Sign the Internship Agreement; and
4. Either (a) be a graduate of a District recognized high school program, or (b) possess the TCFP certification, or (c) possess the EMT-Basic certification, or
5. Successfully complete an EMT-Basic aptitude exam.

If an applicant has either the TCFP certification or the EMT-Basic certification, he or she can attend the Internship Program to complete their missing component required to serve as a firefighter in Texas. 

WHAT IS REQUIRED DURING THE PROGRAM?

Under the direction of the Training Chief and supervised by District members, the program traditionally lasts 16 weeks (typically August until mid-December) and requires 40 hours per week of classroom and hands-on instruction; generally from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Interns are trained concurrently in fire prevention, suppression, rescue, public fire safety education, and emergency medical services.  Outside the classroom interns will make fire prevention visits, participate in public education, perform general administrative assignments, and may, with appropriate waivers, participate in ride-along on emergency vehicles. 

A high level of physical fitness is required, and training is provided to help interns meet the physical ability test standards. Interns will engage in physical labor and physical fitness, including hose, rolling, cleaning apparatus and stations, and emergency scene clean-up.

Interns are measured throughout each term. Satisfactory attendance and performance are required in order to remain in the program and be eligible for the stipend. Completion of the program during the semester requires satisfactory achievement on these four components:

1. Completion of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) basic fire certification course;
2. Completion of the National Registry EMT certification course;
3. Regular and satisfactory participation in the physical fitness program; and
4. Positive performance evaluation by staff throughout the program.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER COMPLETING THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM?

To be eligible for hire as a firefighter/EMT in Texas after completing the Internship Program, an intern must:

• Take and pass the TCFP basic fire certification exam; and
• Take and pass the National Registry EMT-Basic certification exam and be certified by DSHS; and
• Take and pass the Candidate Physical Ability Test; and
• Meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1582 physical requirements.

Once an intern has met these standards, the intern may receive an offer for employment from the District.  Offer of employment is not a guarantee by this program.  Any employment offer will be subject to the District’s standard selection processes (including a background check, drug screen, and NFPA physical) and available vacancies.  If hired, the intern will be employed as a probationary firefighter and be enrolled in the District’s Recruit Academy.

For more information regarding this program and how to apply, please view the documents below.

Firefighter Internship Program Overview

Internship Flyer

Internship Brochure