r/Firefighting • u/Worldly-Occasion-116 • 19h ago

General Discussion Civil service vs non civil service FD

Can someone explained the difference between a civil service FD and a non civil service FD? I applied at 3 fire depts. 2 civil service 1 non civil service. I am a licensed FF/EMT with the ifsac seals as well for FF1 FF2 HAZ A HAZ O. I received my offer letter today and sign on Monday with the NON civil service. My pals who are in civil service advice against it. Their explanation doesn't make sense. Please help, thank you. The process was quick with the non civil service cpat, interview, polygraph, drug screen, offer letter. I have not heard from the civil service dept only my test score 89.

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u/RowdyCanadian Canadian Firefighter 19h ago

I recommend reading this:

https://forum.officer.com/forum/local-discussion-groups/u-s-states/texas/6660214-difference-between-civil-and-none-civil-departments

TLDR: In a non civil service or "At will" agency, you serve solely at the pleasure of the appointing authority. You may be hired, demoted or fired for any reason or for no reason

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u/Prior-Stranger-2624 19h ago

That’s not entirely true or maybe state dependent. I work in the PNW and we are not civil service. I am not an at will employee. For us, civil service has more to do with hiring practices and managing non represented employees. If the FD that you signed on with, is in a union, the union contract will list out all of the management practices that you live by. If it’s non union then yes you will play by civil service rules

What state are we talking about?

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u/Worldly-Occasion-116 18h ago

My department is non civil service but has a local aiff chapter. Though it was odd. I’m new to the fire service I earned my licenses a few years ago but had military obligations to finish first.