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Aerial Firefighting Jobs in Detroit, MI (NOW HIRING)

Camp Dearborn

FIREFIGHTER I

Dearborn, MI · On-site

$71K/yr

... firefighting methods, equipment operation, first aid and emergency treatment, street locations, hydrant locations and other related matters. * Operates power take-off, aerial ladders and elevated ...

City of Detroit

General Auto Mechanic - DDOT

Detroit, MI · On-site

$59K - $73K/yr

... firefighting apparatus and other special purpose vehicles. Repair, adjust, alter and service all ... aerial platforms, pumps, compressors, and ladder assemblies. Repair, adjust, alter and service ...

City of Detroit

General Auto Mechanic - GSD

Detroit, MI · On-site

$58K/yr

... firefighting apparatus and other special purpose vehicles. Repair, adjust, alter and service all ... aerial platforms, pumps, compressors, and ladder assemblies. Repair, adjust, alter and service ...

All JobsAerial Firefighting JobsAerial Firefighting Jobs in Detroit, MI

Aerial Firefighting information

See Detroit, MI salary details

$28.2K

$59K

$99K

How much do aerial firefighting jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for aerial firefighting in Detroit, MI is $59,008.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,000.00 and $68,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is aerial firefighting?

Aerial firefighting is the use of aircraft to combat wildfires from the air. Specialized planes and helicopters drop water or fire retardant chemicals directly onto fires or in strategic locations to slow their spread. These aircraft can also be used for reconnaissance, mapping, and transporting firefighters or equipment to hard-to-reach areas. Aerial firefighting is often coordinated with ground crews to maximize effectiveness and ensure safety. This method is essential in managing large, fast-moving, or remote wildfires.

What are aerial firefighting jobs?

Aerial firefighting jobs involve flying a plane or helicopter to extinguish wildfires, protect property, and save lives. Pilots fly as part of a crew and drop water or other fire retardants to contain the fire and minimize damage. Some aerial firefighters are “smokejumpers,” which means they parachute or rappel into wildfire areas to combat their spread. As an aerial firefighter, your responsibilities involve preserving woodlands and deserts while protecting the safety of residents and your crew, so these jobs are not for the faint of heart. You must be physically fit and able to endure stressful situations and harsh conditions for extended periods. Additionally, both roles require specialized training.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in aerial firefighting?

To thrive in aerial firefighting, you need advanced piloting skills, knowledge of fire behavior, and completion of specialized firefighting and aviation training. Experience with aircraft like helicopters or fixed-wing air tankers, FAA certifications, and proficiency in using GPS navigation and radio communication systems are typically required. Outstanding teamwork, decision-making under pressure, and situational awareness are crucial soft skills for this high-risk environment. These abilities are essential to ensure safety, effective wildfire suppression, and coordination with ground crews during complex emergency missions.

What are some of the biggest challenges faced by aerial firefighting crews during wildfire season?

Aerial firefighting crews often contend with unpredictable weather conditions, rapidly changing fire behavior, and challenging terrain that can make flying and water drops both risky and complex. Coordinating with ground teams is essential, as is maintaining constant communication to ensure safety and maximize effectiveness. Additionally, long hours and high-stress situations require strong teamwork and adaptability, making both physical fitness and mental resilience key components of success in this role.

What is the difference between Aerial Firefighting vs Helicopter Pilot?

AspectAerial FirefightingHelicopter Pilot
Required CertificationsCommercial Pilot License, Firefighting-specific trainingCommercial Pilot License, often with helicopter ratings
Work EnvironmentFire zones, remote areas, often during emergenciesVarious, including transport, surveillance, and firefighting support
Employer & Industry UsageFire departments, government agencies, firefighting contractorsAirlines, charter companies, government agencies, firefighting services

While both roles involve piloting helicopters, aerial firefighting focuses on using aircraft to combat wildfires, requiring specialized firefighting training. Helicopter pilots may work in diverse sectors, including transportation and surveillance, with less emphasis on firefighting-specific skills. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the industry.

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For Aerial Firefighting jobs in Detroit, MI, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Aerial Firefighting jobs in Detroit, MI look for?

The top searched job categories for Aerial Firefighting jobs in Detroit, MI are:

Aerial Firefighting jobs near you
Infographic showing various Aerial Firefighting job openings in Detroit, MI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,008 per year, or $28.4 per hour.

FIREFIGHTER I

Camp Dearborn

Dearborn, MI • On-site

$71K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

STARTING SALARY (as of 7/1/25): $71,966 per year
SALARY AFTER 48 MONTHS: $92,511 per year
Lateral transfer pay (effective July 1, 2024):
  • New hire candidates with greater than 2 years of full-time fire department experience will start at Step 2 ($75,787)
  • New hire candidates with greater than 3 years of full-time fire department experience will start at Step 3 ($79,596)
  • New hire candidates with greater than 4 years of full-time fire department experience will start at Step 4 ($83,408)

QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Must be a licensed Paramedic in the State of Michigan or scheduled to take the exam.
  • State of Michigan Firefighter I and II certifications required.
  • Valid Michigan driver license, with a good driving record.
  • U.S. Citizen
  • Graduation from an accredited high school or G.E.D. equivalent.
  • CPAT or OPAT must be completed.
All entry-level criteria must be met, and copies of certifications and transcripts must be attached to online application. (Please attach using cover letter field.) Current City of Dearborn fire interns are eligible to apply if they are within one year of completion of all minimum qualifications noted above. However, all qualifications must be completed prior to being placed on the eligible list.
POST-OFFER REQUIREMENTS:
  • Must pass a psychological evaluation, pre-employment physical, drug screen, criminal history check and background investigation.
SPECIAL NOTE:
  • All persons appointed to the position of Firefighter I must serve a 12-month probationary period. This working test period is considered a part of the examination process.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF WORK:
This is firefighting and emergency rescue work. Responsibilities include the protection of life and property by combating, extinguishing and preventing fires and by providing emergency assistance as a state certified Paramedic. Firefighting duties may be performed under emergency conditions involving personal hazard. Specific orders and directions are given by superior officers but the work requires a thorough understanding of firefighting methods which is gained by training and experience. Work is performed in accordance with well established procedures and under general supervision.
Employee interacts in a consistently pleasant and helpful manner to fellow employees, visitors, and citizens of the City of Dearborn and demonstrates the highest standards of internal and external customer service.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Essential Job Functions (Functions essential to attaining job objectives):
  • Performs and administers first aid and emergency treatment in the performance of firefighter related duties.
  • Performs manual lifting and carrying using backboards, K.E.D. and "stokes litter" in the evacuation of victims.
  • Operates and connects hose lines to standpipes, sprinkler systems, hydrants, and auxiliary appliances in the performance of the work.
  • Carries, raises, climbs and lowers straight, roof, attic, footing and extension ladders in the performance of related duties.
  • Performs forcible entry and extrication through the use of digging, striking, battering, prying and cutting tools.
  • Prepares and maintains various types of hose, nozzles, valves and fittings; rolls, folds, carries, reels, unreels and stows such fire apparatus.
  • Operates, maintains and inspects self-contained breathing apparatus, ice/water rescue equipment and hazardous material detection devices.
  • Determines horizontal and vertical range, safe working pressures as related to nozzle size, angle of penetration, and the maximum height a nozzle can be set for safe operation.
  • Determines the effect of water on fires involving chemicals, steel, concrete, brick and heavy timber related to fire suppression.
  • Performs firefighter work in a variety of weather and environmental conditions, including rain, snow, ice, extreme cold and heat, dust, dirt, smoke and chemicals.
  • Identifies the fundamentals of pressure, vacuum, flow, head, suction, displacement, friction loss, back pressure, hydrant pressure, engine pressure, capacity, and nozzle pressure.
  • Attends in service training sessions in firefighting methods, equipment operation, first aid and emergency treatment, street locations, hydrant locations and other related matters.
  • Operates power take-off, aerial ladders and elevated platforms in the performance of the work.
  • Identifies mechanical defects, loose parts, unusual noises and the effects of abrasive material on related equipment.
  • Operates and maintains pressure and pump type extinguishers in the performance of the work.
  • Identifies the fundamentals of Type I, II, III, IV and V construction; purposes of smoke towers, monitors, fire escapes, roof ventilators, skylights, dumb waiters and elevators; their advantages and disadvantages to fire control.
  • Studies modern methods of fire prevention and protection reviewing media such as magazines, books, news- letters and records of fires and their causes.
  • Monitors and determines flow when friction loss is known.
  • Identifies the fundamentals of fuses, circuit breakers, lighting arresters, grounding devices, and related electrical components.
  • Transmits and receives still, special, greater and telephone alarms.
  • Demonstrates regular and predictable attendance.
Marginal Job Functions (Peripheral or incidental to primary job functions):
  • Performs housekeeping and grounds maintenance duties at a fire station such as making beds, cooking, cleaning windows, floors, walls and woodwork, and mowing lawns.
  • Prepares manuscripts, reports, specifications, requisitions, and department forms, per department rules and regulations.
  • Participates in special details and/or assemblies in the promotion of positive public relations.
  • Performs related work as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Considerable knowledge of first aid and emergency treatment methods.
  • Some knowledge of modern firefighting methods.
  • Ability to read and comprehend job related materials such as manuals, codes, directives, general orders, textbooks and professional literature.
  • Ability to understand and apply mechanical principles to the operation of all equipment and firefighting methods and procedures.
  • Ability to recognize and diagnose mechanical problems and to take effective corrective action to remedy such problems.
  • Ability to communicate with others in a clear, concise, calm manner, supplying correct information in a manner in which the receiver understands it.
  • Ability to work effectively with others as a member of a team; to accept supervision in a positive manner; to display tact and concern for the feelings of others: and to be fair in dealing with all coworkers as well as the public.
  • Ability to evaluate a situation and decide what action should be taken in given circumstances. Included is the ability to identify the source of a problem, evaluate its seriousness, solve problems quickly in emotionally charged situations and decide which action or method is best to use, given available options.
  • Ability to perform tasks which require strength, stamina, speed, coordination, balance, dexterity and, in general, a high level of physical fitness.
  • Ability to apply basic mathematical skills, to understand formulas, equations, mathematical principles, and other quantitative or numerical subject matter.
  • Ability to interpret and apply technical subject matter such as: tables, graphs, data, monographs, technical specifications and charts.
  • Ability to perform light to heavy lifting, carrying, loading and unloading of victims and equipment averaging 150 pounds.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING / LICENSING REQUIREMENTS:
  • Graduation from an accredited high school or G.E.D. equivalent.

NECESSARY SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Must possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license issued by the State of Michigan and have a satisfactory driving record.
  • Must have completed Paramedic training and possess a valid State of Michigan Paramedic license as required to perform this work.
  • Applicants must have completed and passed the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) through Schoolcraft College or Oakland Physical Agility Test (OPAT).
  • State of Michigan Firefighter I and II certification required.
  • All required certifications and licenses must be attached to the application at the time of submission.

POST-OFFER REQUIREMENTS:
Satisfactory completion of a criminal history check (including sex offender registry, if applicable) and a drug screen that tests for illegal drugs as defined by the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act, excluding substances legalized under Michigan law.

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