After a recruit successfully completes training, they are promoted to firefighter and serve 18 months on a probationary status. During probation, firefighters work on regular firefighting crews where training and evaluations are continued to ensure that firefighters keep learning and expanding their skills after recruit graduation. Probationary firefighters are required to successfully complete a series of written and practical exams as well as additional oral board interviews.

Probationary firefighters are full time TFD employees and work a normal TFD schedule. Three shifts (A, B, and C) work a rotating schedule known as a five-six schedule. Each shift will work 24 hours on and then get 24 hours off. After working five shifts (with 24 hours rest in between), firefighters then get six consecutive days off.

Life at a fire station consists of daily work duties and running medical, fire and other emergency calls. Firefighters live together at a station for 24 hours at a time. Busy shifts can be both physically and mentally challenging, as there is no guarantee that crews will get a full night sleep on any shift. TFD runs many emergency calls each year, both fire and medical, and provides exceptional public service by focusing on delivering outstanding customer service.