Lateral Firefighter EMT

South-County-Fire; Everett (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

South County Fire is seeking a Firefighter EMT to perform emergency and non-emergency services, including fire suppression, BLS EMS, and equipment maintenance. The role reports to the Captain and participates in training and drills to maintain high readiness levels.

Candidates must have a High school diploma or GED, National Registry and/or WA EMT Certification, and at least 1 year as a career Firefighter EMT. A valid driver's license is required, with IAFF longevity considerations as applicable.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• National Registry or WA EMT Certification is required.
• Minimum 1 year of experience as a full-time career Firefighter EMT.
• Valid driver's license is required.
• IFSAC Firefighter I and II certifications are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Participate in training, pre-fire planning, inspections, and programs to maintain readiness for emergencies.
• Deliver Basic Life Support (BLS) EMS and transport to patients per standards.
• Perform fire suppression tasks, pump and ladder operations as trained.
• Exhibit calm, professional behavior and protect public safety during emergencies.

Skills

Emergency response

Communication under stress

Leadership

Team coordination

English proficiency

Education

High school diploma or GED

National Registry EMT or WA EMT Certification

IFSAC Firefighter I & II (preferred)

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Recognized IAFF Service Credit: South County Fire and Local 1828 will recognize your prior IAFF years of service, providing you with valuable seniority credit upon joining the organization.

Core Values:

All employees of South County Fire are expected to hold themselves accountable for upholding and demonstrating our core values at all times: Integrity, Humility, Compassion, Family and Trust.

Summary:

This company-level position performs emergency and non-emergency services including fire suppression, basic life support (BLS) emergency medical services, execution of training drills, inspection and maintenance of fire equipment and high value apparatus, safety and enhancing morale through leadership by example. The Firefighter EMT shall report to and is responsible to the Captain, who will evaluate performance. Optimum performance is achieved based on the Firefighter's ability to adequately perform all facets of the job duties and responsibilities. The shift Firefighter shall work an assigned shift schedule in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participates in training activities, pre-fire planning, inspections, and other company programs that enhance a high state of readiness to respond to all emergency situations. Participation in specialized areas of fire service responsibility such as hazardous materials training, facility and equipment maintenance, and rescue techniques and capability is also required.
• Communicates with a culturally diverse community in a tactful and effective manner under emergency stress or property-/life-threatening situations. This may involve managing individuals in a highly agitated state.
• Rides in and/or drives department apparatus, as required.
• Attends all meetings and training sessions, as required by local, state, and contractual requirements.
• Delivers/administers Basic Life Support (BLS) emergency medical services and transportation to injured and ill patients in accordance with local, state, and nationally recognized standards.
• Performs fire suppression activities and tasks including pump operations, ladder operations, salvage duties, raising and climbing ladders, removing persons from danger; uses chemical extinguishing agents and other tools and equipment as required.
• Assists in extricating trapped victims or moving obstacles in order to obtain access to patients.
• Pursues on-going career development and educational advancement to enhance knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to responsibilities.

Other Job Duties:

• May be provisionally appointed as acting Captain on a voluntary basis when minimum time in grade and requirements are fulfilled.
• Other duties as assigned within the scope of this job description.

Qualifications:

Knowledge Of:

• Modern firefighting principles, practices, techniques, equipment and procedures and EMS.
• Geographical area.
• Operation and maintenance procedures of fire department apparatus and equipment.
• Departmental standard operating procedures.
• South County EMS protocols, procedures and checklists.
• Rescue and hazardous materials response procedures.
• Training methods, procedures and material resources.

Skills and Ability To:

• Perform all duties of a firefighter.
• Perform as an EMT in Snohomish County.
• Perform as a pump operator and/or ladder company operator (only if fully trained in accordance with standards).
• Adopt quick, effective, and reasonable courses of action during emergency operations with due regard to surrounding hazards, circumstances and safety.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with personnel and the public.
• Demonstrate predictable, reliable and timely attendance.
• Follow written and verbal directions and complete assigned tasks on schedule.
• Read, write and communicate in English and understand basic math.
• Maintain good physical conditioning and have the ability to carry out physically demanding tasks under dangerous and stressful conditions.
• Interact effectively with individuals and groups to achieve cooperation and support of departmental services, goals and objectives.
• Demonstrate proficiency in South County Fire software programs, including Microsoft Office applications and other programs as applicable.
• Operate all fire-based apparatus and equipment, and operations level hazardous materials equipment, rescue equipment and BLS EMS equipment.
• Maintain and project a calm, informational and persuasive demeanor in stressful situations.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Effectively handle frequently changing priorities.
• Maintain confidential information as appropriate.

Education and Experience:

As outlined in the current applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Special Requirements/Recommendations:

• Maintain a valid driver's license with acceptable driving record and the RFA approved defensive driving certificate.
• Participation in the South County Fire Respiratory Protection Program.
• Prior to Final Offer: Firefighter Mile results from National Testing Network scheduled through South County Fire during the Conditional Offer phase.

Required:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Valid National Registry and/or Washington State EMT Certification prior to applying.
• Must have at least 1 year of experience as a current full-time career Firefighter EMT.

Desirable:

• IFSAC Firefighter I and II and HazMat Operations certification.

Physical Demands:

Must maintain physical condition, ability, agility and stamina to act in emergency, heavy physical labor, life-threatening, fire, accident and disaster situations. Must be able to climb and descend ladders, crawl into tight confined spaces, lift and carry heavy objects in excess of 150 pounds, bend at the waist, kneel, crouch, crawl, and stoop, sit, stand, walk for extended periods of time and reach overhead. Individual must possess acceptable auditory and visual senses to meet the requirements of the position. Individual must be dexterous with their hands and fingers to operate various emergency tools and equipment and psychologically able to function within reduced visibility and restricted environments. Individual is required to wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and protective equipment weighing up to 60+ pounds and be able to pull hose to suppress fires and use ropes and pulleys to rescue victims.

Working Conditions:

This position requires individual to work in adverse weather conditions, and work in indoor and outdoor environments, and at heights and below grade. Individual will be exposed to cold, heat, fire, smoke, high-decibel noise, falling debris, toxic material, blood and blood-borne pathogens. Individual will work around and with machinery having moving parts, traffic hazards, and rides in and/or drives department apparatus as required. Individual must be able to operate a computer, related software, printer, fax machine, copier, telephone, pager, EMS and fire equipment, radio and other electronic communication devices. Individual may be required to travel to meetings, seminars and conferences.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

Minimum Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years old at time of application.
• High school diploma or G.E.D.
• Valid driver's license.
• Applicants are required to complete the Firefighter written exam through Public Safety Testing (PST) before applying.
• National Registry or Washington State certified EMT*.
• All new hire firefighters are required to participate in the Respiratory Protection Program.
• South County Fire is a tobacco-free, drug-free and alcohol-free workplace.

Required Documents:

The following documents must be attached to your electronic application. Applicants who do not include these items exactly as described will be disqualified:

• Current resume.
• Current EMT certification*. Your certification must meet these requirements:
  • National Registry or Washington State (Department of Health) EMT Certification only.
    • We do not accept out-of-state certifications.
    • We do not accept any other BLS, first aid, or other certifications or courses, including Red Cross.
• Documents clearly showing your name, issuing agency, and expiration date. Documents without an expiration date or with dates that are expired are not acceptable.
  *If you are not currently certified, but in the process of becoming certified with National Registry EMT or Washington State Department of Health, you will be required to provide certification via email prior to application deadline or you will be disqualified.
• If claiming Veterans Preference: Attach copy of DD 214 form.

Preferred Qualifications:

• IFSAC Firefighter I and II certifications.
• IFSAC HazMat Operations certificate.

IAFF - Longevity Pay:

South County Fire recognizes qualifying prior service in IAFF-represented positions for purposes of determining seniority for longevity pay and other applicable benefits as outlined in Article 20.3 of the IAFF Local 1828 Collective Bargaining Agreement and further explained in the Letter of Understanding dated July 1, 2026.

Qualifying prior service is defined as the total professional firefighting experience an employee obtained in continuous full-time service in a bargaining unit represented by the IAFF as a professional firefighter, paramedic, or EMT, prior to their hire date with the RFA.

Lateral hires seeking credit for prior IAFF-represented service will be required to provide documentation of their qualifying service and complete a certification form. Documentation may include prior paystubs showing IAFF dues, a letter from a former employer verifying IAFF-represented service, or documentation from a state pension administrator, when applicable. Human Resources can assist with questions regarding documentation and alternative means of verifying prior service.

View the IAFF Local 1828 Collective Bargaining Agreement for the current longevity incentive schedule and applicable requirements.