We are looking for you
We are looking for young, physically active people who are committed to Berlin and helping others. Are you ready for variety and exciting assignments? Then your professional future could be with the Berlin Fire Brigade.
Who we are
The Berlin Fire Brigade has existed since 1851. We are the oldest and largest professional fire brigade in Germany with currently 5,500 employees and 35 fire stations throughout Berlin. Our firefighters are truly multi-talented and their comprehensive technical and medical expertise allows them to take on a variety of assignments. Today, fire protection only makes up a small part of our day-to-day operations. Indeed, our firefighters carry out around 80 percent of emergency rescue operations involving injured or acutely ill people. However, we are also deployed in the event of traffic collisions and water or storm damage. No two fire service shifts are the same. In addition to team spirit and empathy, physical fitness is an essential requirement for our emergency services.
Which entry route is right for me?
Depending on your qualifications, age and nationality, there are different routes into a career with the fire service.
Training courses for school-leavers
112 Direkt:
Firefighter Training (m/f/d)
Duration: 3 Years
Remuneration: approx. 1,467 EUR gross
Age: 16 ½ to 35 years at the time of recruitment
Prerequisites: a school-leaving qualification (Mittlerer Schulabschluss)
112 Direkt Plus:
Combined Building Trade and Firefighter Training (m/f/d)
Duration: 3.5 to 4.5 years
Remuneration: approx. 1,236 to 2,318 EUR gross
Age: 15 ½ to 31 years at the time of recruitment
Prerequisites: school-leaving qualification (Mittlerer Schulabschluss) or vocational qualification (Berufsbildungsreife)
112 Medic:
Paramedic training, also available in combination with Firefighter Training (m/f/d)
Duration: 3 to 3.5 years
Remuneration: approx. 1,467 to 2,318 EUR gross (for civil servants), approx. 1,380 to 1,553 EUR gross (for pay-scale employees)
Age: min. 18 years at the time of recruitment, and max. 35 years for civil servant status roles
Prerequisites:
- a school-leaving qualification (Mittlerer Schulabschluss) or completion of at least two years of vocational training.
- Proof of German language skills (C1 certificate)
This course of training is available to applicants of all nationalities.
112 Dual:
Integrated degree programme with the fire service
Duration: 3.5 Years
Remuneration: 1,527 EUR gross
Age: 18 to 35 years at the time of recruitment
Prerequisites: general university entrance qualification (Allgemeine Hochschulreife)
Applicants with a Berufsausbildung (vocational training qualification)
112 Classic:
Firefighter Training (m/f/d) for applicants who have completed vocational training
Duration: 18 Months
Remuneration: approx. 2,318 EUR gross
Age: 18 to 35 years at the time of recruitment
Prerequisites:
- Completion of at least two years of vocational training
- Proof of German language skills (C1 certificate)
Graduate entry
112 Bachelor:
Management trainees (m/f/d) for civil service roles in the fire service
Duration: 2 Years
Remuneration: approx. 2,363 EUR gross
Age: 18 to 35 years at the time of recruitment
Prerequisites: A Bachelor’s degree from a university or an advanced technical college
112 Master:
Management trainees (m/f/d) for civil service roles in the fire service
Duration: 2 Years
Remuneration: approx. 2,717 EUR gross
Age: 18 to 39 years at the time of recruitment
Prerequisites: A Master’s degree from a university or an advanced technical college
What we expect from you:
- A high level of German
- A Class B driving license
- Silver swimming badge (not older than 2 years)
- No previous convictions or drug use
- Up-to-date vaccinations against measles
- To be in good health and physically fit
- Team spirit
The following is required for civil servant status:
- EU nationality
- Height: 165 cm to 195 cm
Non-EU nationals can still apply if they have made an application for settlement in Germany or another EU member state.
We offer you:
- High-quality and practice-oriented training programmes
- A secure course place and workplace
- Various and diverse assignments
- Pay-scale remuneration or the option to gain civil servant status from the start of your training
- Various sports programmes
- Free entry to Berliner Bäderbetriebe swimming baths
- Help finding affordable housing
- Subsidised BVB Azubi (trainee) tickets
Your training
Training programmes will differ depending on your entry route. The 112 Direkt and 112 Direkt Plus entry routes focus on technical training, especially bricklaying and concrete and reinforced concrete construction. The 112 Medic entry route will train you to become a paramedic. We use the very best technical and medical teaching resources and organise various placements at hospitals and fire stations to prepare you for work you will do once you’ve completed your training. We train our firefighters at the Berliner Feuerwehr- und Rettungsdienstakademie (Berlin Fire and Rescue Service Academy or BFRA). This is where you will learn all the basics of firefighting and technical support. The 112 Dual, 112 Bachelor and 112 Master entry routes introduce trainees to managerial tasks and duties within the service areas of the Berlin Fire Brigade.
Your daily routine at work
After successfully completing your training, you will be assigned to a fire service shift watch as a firefighter or paramedic where you will work as part of a permanent team and according to a 12-hour duty roster model. In the field, you will fulfil a variety of emergency service, technical support and firefighting functions. Paramedics are mainly deployed as medically responsible emergency personnel on the emergency vehicle. Roles in managerial positions and service areas may also be possible depending on your entry route.
Your prospects
If you perform well, you will have the opportunity to be promoted or apply for promotion to the advanced and more senior roles within the fire service.
You will have the chance to pursue a range of professional development opportunities once you have completed your training, such as in mountain rescue, with the diving team or at our control centre.
Applications
Please see the following website for all our vacancies:
www.berliner-feuerwehr.de/karriere
Applications may only be submitted online with all the required documents. We will communicate with you by e-mail from this point forward. Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automatic reply confirming receipt of your application.
Proficiency in German is necessary in our day-to-day work and during the application process.
Recruitment test
You will need to be prepared to take the following during the selection process:
- A fitness test
- An online test
- An interview in which you introduce yourself and take part in a role-play
- A practical and team test
- A medical examination
More information
Website: www.berliner-feuerwehr.de
Instagram: www.instagram.com/berliner_fw
YouTube: www.youtube.com/BerlinerFeuerwehrTV
Contact (German-speaking)
Personalauswahl und Karriere – ZS P B 2
10150 Berlin
Telephone: +49 30 387 30 66 88
servicebewerbungsbuero@berliner-feuerwehr.de
www.berliner-feuerwehr.de
© Berliner Feuerwehr, Stand: 02/2025