Washington State Lateral Firefighter EMT

South County Fire; Everett (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

South County Fire in Washington State seeks a Firefighter EMT to perform emergency and non-emergency services, including fire suppression, BLS EMS, and training duties. The position reports to the Captain and follows shift schedules per the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The role requires a WA State EMT certification, 3 years of career firefighter EMT experience, IFSAC Firefighter I & II, HazMat Ops, and NIMS certifications, with heavy emphasis on safety and community service.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Valid Washington State EMT Certification required.
• At least 3 years of experience as a current full-time career Firefighter EMT in Washington State.
• IFSAC HazMat Operations certificate required.
• IFSAC Firefighter I and II certifications required.
• NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800 certificates required.

Responsibilities

• Participates in training activities, pre-fire planning, inspections, and other programs to maintain readiness.
• Engages in hazardous materials training, facility and equipment maintenance, and rescue techniques.
• Communicates effectively with a diverse community under stress.
• Rides in and/or drives department apparatus as required.
• Attends meetings and training as required by contract.
• Delivers Basic Life Support (BLS) EMS and transport to patients per standards.
• Performs fire suppression tasks including ladder operations and salvage.
• Assists in extricating victims and creating access to patients.
• Pursues ongoing career development and education.

Skills

Firefighting

EMT-BLS

Communication

Teamwork

Critical thinking

Calm under pressure

Education

High school diploma or GED

Washington EMT Certification

IFSAC HazMat Operations

IFSAC Firefighter I & II

NIMS 100/200/700/800

Job description

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 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.
• 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

• 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.
• Successfully pass South County Fire’s EMS and Fireground skills assessments.

Required

• High school diploma or GED.
• Valid Washington State EMT Certification.
• Must have at least 3 years of experience as a current full-time career Firefighter EMT in Washington State.
• IFSAC HazMat Operations certificate.
• IFSAC Firefighter I and II certifications.
• NIMS 100, NIMS 200, NIMS 700, and NIMS 800

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. Individuals must possess acceptable auditory and visual senses to meet the requirements of the position. Individuals 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. Individuals are 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 individuals to work in adverse weather conditions, work in indoor and outdoor environments, as well as at heights and below grade. Individuals 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. Individuals 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. Individuals 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.

South County Fire is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, South County Fire will ensure that reasonable accommodations are provided upon request to persons with disabilities. If reasonable accommodations are needed to participate in the application, interview, or testing process, please contact the HR Manager, at [e-mail]

Additional Requirements

The following requirements must be met, or you will not move forward in the hiring process.

Minimum Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old at time of application.
• High school diploma or G.E.D.
• Valid driver's license.
• National Registry or Washington State certified EMT*.
• Must have at least 3 years of experience as a current full-time career Firefighter EMT in Washington State.
• IFSAC HazMat Operations certificate.
• IFSAC Firefighter I and II certifications.

• NIMS 100, NIMS 200, NIMS 700, and NIMS 800

* Sample of NREMT document requirement.

* Sample of WA DOH document requirement.

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.
• Academy Completion Certificate.
• IFSAC HazMat Operations certificate.
• IFSAC Firefighter I and II certifications.

• NIMS 100, NIMS 200, NIMS 700, and NIMS 800 certificates.

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 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 pay stubs 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 at the following link, South Count Fire Document Library.