FACT Online Test - The online test is provided by Fire & Police Selection, Inc. (FPSI) and contains 110 questions from the Fire Aptitude & Character Test, FACT, where the questions focus on a number of skills and traits deemed relevant to superior job performance. This will include Reading Ability (15), Mathematical Reasoning (15), Map Reading (10), Writing ability (10), Personal Characteristics (60) i.e. interpersonal skills such as teamwork, commitment, honest, and emotional stability.

The "Firefighter Aptitude and Character Test (FACT) Candidate Orientation Guide" practice is available for order online.

The FACT Candidate Orientation is a helpful tool to prepare for the exam and can be downloaded as a PDF file and saved or printed. Please read through the disclaimer on the order page in order to have a successful download. Payments will be submitted through PayPal via an account or credit/debit card. Once payment is submitted, PayPal automatically redirects you back to the FPSI site where access to the download link will be located on the Order Details-Checkout Status page. Applicants must pay close attention to ALL instructions on both FPSI and PayPal's websites in order to access the instant download successfully.

Physical Ability Test (PAT) - After the written tests have been scored, those applicants that have a raw score of 70 or above will move forward to the department's physical ability test (PAT) and will be notified by email regarding scheduling for the PAT. The department will send the email to the email address listed on the application, so an applicant should check that account regularly as to not miss any deadlines for scheduling. The department's PAT consists of 10 events that represent activities that a Tallahassee firefighter would be expected to perform. To familiarize yourself with our PAT, please click on the links below.

• PAT Description of Events (PDF)
• PAT Video Part I - (Intro to Event 5)
• PAT Video Part II - (Events 6 to 10)

Applicants will be required to submit a completed Waiver of Liability and Hold Harmless Agreement and a Physician Statement in order to participate in the PAT. These forms may be obtained by clicking the links below.

• Waiver of Liability and Hold Harmless Agreement (PDF)
• Physician Statement (PDF)

If an applicant does not pass the online entry-level firefighter test or PAT, they must reapply with required documents to be included in the next testing process.

All applicants who pass the PAT will be invited to interview with the department. Those that interview will be placed on the eligibility list for upcoming conditional offers.

If You Receive a Conditional Offer of Employment...

Background Investigation: A thorough background investigation is conducted. This includes driver's license history, credit check, employment reference checks, and a nationwide criminal check.

Testing/Evaluations: A polygraph will be conducted, along with written and oral psychological evaluations. Finally, a job-related medical exam and drug testing will be given.

Final Offer of Employment

A final offer will be extended by the Fire Chief after determining all conditional offer steps have been successfully passed.

Once on the eligibility list, you will not be required to go through the next testing process and will remain on the list for that period. However, if you are not hired after the second period, you must reapply with the required documents to be included in the next testing process. For example, if you were in the process with the March 1, 2022 cutoff, you would not need to reapply for the September 1, 2022 cutoff and would remain on the eligible list. If not hired during that next timeframe, you would need to reapply with the required documents by the following March 1, 2023 cutoff, in order to be included in that next process.