Firefighter

Minimum Qualifications

Qualifications for Firefighter

Must be 18 years of age, a high school graduate or equivalent.

Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Virginia Basic EMT certification. The applicant may be required to obtain and/or maintain Advanced Life Support Certification up to the level of Paramedic and released by the department at that level within the period designated by the department.

Must be able to satisfactorily complete the Hampton Roads Fire Academy and/or other recruit school programs as assigned, as well as all associated courses/certifications. Must have the ability to acquire the following certifications: Virginia Firefighter II, Hazardous Materials Operations, specified Emergency Vehicles Operator course(s), specified technical rescue, and/or rope rescue programs and/or other fire, EMS, rescue, and/or emergency management programs/certification as required and/or assigned.

Requires the ability to obtain Professional Rescuer CPR certification from the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association equivalent. Must also successfully become certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Fire Programs as a Pumper Driver/Operator and complete the department's Driver Pump Operator program in addition to any other training, education, or certifications as required for continued employment.

Must possess a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record and the ability to obtain a driver’s license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Qualifications for Firefighter Experienced

Must be 18 years of age and a high school graduate or equivalent, supplemented by firefighting and emergency medical technician training courses; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Virginia Emergency Medical Technician certification required (may be required to obtain and/or maintain, at a minimum, a paramedic certificate and released within the timeframe designated by the department). If not certified in Virginia, must hold current, unrestricted National Registry certification as an Emergency Medical Technician and be eligible for Virginia Emergency Medical Technician certification.

Virginia Paramedic certification preferred.

Graduation from the Tidewater Regional Fire Academy (TRFA), Southside Regional Fire Academy (SRFA), Hampton Roads Recruit Fire Academy (HRRFA), or Hampton Roads Fire Academy (HRFA) required (other approved career recruit school considered on a case-by-case basis).

Applicants with Paramedic only (without approved fire recruit school training) may be considered depending on the scheduling of an upcoming firefighter recruit school. If not certified in Virginia, must hold current, unrestricted National Registry certification as a Paramedic and be eligible for Virginia Paramedic certification.

Requires the ability to obtain/maintain Professional Rescuer CPR certification from the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association equivalent. Must also complete the department's Driver Pump Operator program and any other training, education, or certifications required for continued employment.

Must possess a valid driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia with an acceptable driving record.

Supplemental Information

Excellent Pay and Benefits:

• Starting pay of $53,518 annually, along with overtime pay
EMS certification incentive pays Virginia EMT-Paramedic
• • -$14,000 annually upon release
  Virginia EMT-Intermediate
  • -$4,000 annually upon release
Educational incentive pay for approved college degrees upon completion of the probationary period Associates degree
• • -$1,000 annually
  Bachelor’s degree
  • -$2,000 annually
  Master’s degree
  • -$3,000 annually
• Advancement opportunities
• Retirement benefits - Retirement benefits through the Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
• Insurance benefits - Health, life and dental insurance
• Holidays - additional pay for working any of the County’s 14 holidays, along with a special stipend when not working a specific holiday
• Paid vacation
• Tuition reimbursement benefit

Physical Demands

Must meet NFPA 1582 Standard. Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment, including driving fire and rescue apparatus and operating such firefighting and rescue equipment as pumps, ladders, aerial platforms, hoses, nozzles and appliances, hand tools, gasoline and electric powered tools, hydraulic and pneumatic tools, self-contained breathing apparatus, two-way radios, etc. Must be able to operate emergency medical equipment, including radio communications systems between the ambulance and the physician at the hospital emergency department, cardiac monitor/defibrillator/pacers, medications, intravenous fluid administration systems, oxygen-powered cardiopulmonary resuscitation devices, oxygen administration equipment, airway management equipment, wound care and fracture immobilization equipment, ambulance cots, stretchers, backboards, stair chairs, and other patient movement equipment. Must be able to operate hazardous materials management equipment and supplies, including radiological monitoring equipment. Must be able to lift, push and pull objects weighing 25-165 pounds. Must be able to work in full gear that easily weighs 55 pounds while carrying tools and equipment weighing an additional 20-40 pounds. Physical demand requirements are those for Very Heavy Work.