Entry-level Firefighter/EMT

Seattle Fire Department; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Seattle Fire Department is seeking qualified applicants for Firefighter Recruit. This role focuses on emergency medical service, fire suppression, and safety operations within Seattle. Candidates must meet licensing, EMT, and citizenship requirements and will undergo EMT training if needed.

Compensation includes a starting hourly rate of $43.22 with step increases, plus longevity and cost-of-living adjustments per contract. Vacancies are anticipated annually to be 60–100 positions.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Valid Driver's License required.
• EMT certification at time of hire (state or national). Seattle Fire Department offers EMT course for qualified candidates.
• Citizen, permanent resident, or DACA recipient.

Responsibilities

• Medical emergency response: provide EMS, first aid, CPR, and patient stabilization.
• Fire scene response: suppress fires, search, rescue, and contain hazards.
• Operate vehicles and equipment: drive apparatus, operate radios, inspect/maintain gear.
• Training and drilling: participate in drills and practical training.
• Maintain physical fitness: meet department fitness standards.

Skills

Strong communication

Procedural learning

Physical fitness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

The Seattle Fire Department is a nationally recognized leader in fire and emergency services. As the largest fire department in the state of Washington, its 1000-plus workforce responds to more than 100,000 incidents per year.

Seattle Firefighters save lives and protect property through emergency medical service, fire and rescue response, and fire prevention. All Seattle Firefighters are either EMT or Paramedic certified, and approximately 80% of the emergency calls the department receives are medical in nature.

Position Description

The Seattle Fire Department is a nationally recognized leader in fire and emergency services. As the largest fire department in the state of Washington, its 1000-plus workforce responds to more than 100,000 incidents per year.

Seattle Firefighters save lives and protect property through emergency medical service, fire and rescue response, and fire prevention. All Seattle Firefighters are either EMT or Paramedic certified, and approximately 80% of the emergency calls the department receives are medical in nature.

Job Responsibilities

Medical emergency response: provide emergency medical services to the public; administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to injured persons; assist in patient stabilization prior to transportation.

Fire scene response: provide suppression action after assessing public safety relevance; search buildings to locate and rescue victims; use firefighting equipment to extinguish fires in buildings, grass, terrain, automobiles, or other situations; take action to contain hazardous chemicals.

Operating vehicles and equipment: drive vehicles or mechanized equipment; operate radios; service, repair, and test mechanical equipment; perform apparatus maintenance.

Training and drilling: participate in drills, demonstrations, and classroom and practical training; practice manipulative skills.

Performing and maintaining physical fitness: perform physical activities; maintain physical abilities through exercise; maintain above average physical fitness levels in accordance with departmental guidelines.

Qualifications

Requirements at time of appointment

– the requirements listed below are not required at the time of application, but are required before a candidate can be hired:

• Minimum Age: Candidates must be at least 18 years of age
• Education: Candidates must have a high school diploma or must have passed an equivalency test (G.E.D.)
• License: Candidates must possess a valid Driver's License
• EMT Certification: Candidates must have a valid state or national (NREMT) EMT certification at the level of EMT or higher at the time of hire. The Seattle Fire Department will offer an EMT course to selected candidates who do not meet the EMT requirement. For more information, please visit the following webpage: http://www.seattle.gov/firejobs/emt-requirement
• Work Authorization: Candidates must be a citizen of the United States of America, a lawful permanent resident, or a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient.

Additional Information

Additional skills and qualities that successful candidates will possess:

• Strong communication skills
• The ability to learn a variety of firefighting procedures, methods, and operations
• The ability to learn and apply principles of building construction as it applies to fire suppression and fire protection
• The ability to learn proper driving procedures of various fire apparatus
• The ability to perform manipulative tasks requiring manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination
• The physical strength and agility to perform strenuous physical work
• Good judgement in the application of firefighting, first aid, and other emergency techniques and procedures
• The ability to effectively interact with people from diverse backgrounds

The Seattle Fire Department is a national leader in responding to, and preventing, emergencies with a commitment to excellence and teamwork. We seek a diverse workforce who embrace the following values:

Integrity

We are honest, trustworthy, and accountable. Honor guides our actions.

Teamwork

We each bring our own skills and experience, yet we recognize that we are better together. We support and depend on each other to achieve our goals.

Compassion

Caring is part of our job. We could not do what we do without a deep and motivating empathy for those we serve.

Courage

We show fortitude and determination in a crisis.

Diversity

We respect the different identities, experiences, and perspectives of those that we work with and the community we serve.

The starting annual salary for a Seattle Firefighter Recruit is $43.22 per hour year with step, longevity and cost of living pay increases per union contract.

$8,504/month - Starting Recruit Firefighter Pay

• $9,010/month - 6 months
• $9,517/month - 18 months
• $10,023/month - 30 months
• $10,529/month - 42 months

In addition to promotional opportunities, there are several specialty and technical team assignments available to Firefighters, including Hazardous Materials, Decontamination, Technical Rescue, Marine Emergency Response, Energy Response, and becoming a FF/Paramedic. These assignments include between 5% and 20% premium pay.

The City of Seattle and the Seattle Healthcare Trust offer a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

Vacancies: It is anticipated that approximately 60-100 positions will be filled annually, depending on attrition and budget.