Entry Level Firefighter Emt Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $87,540.00 - $120,048.00 Annually
Location : Administrative Operations Center, WA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2026-00024
Department: Emergency Operations
Opening Date: 06/24/2026
Closing Date: 8/3/2026 12:00 PM Pacific
Description
We are seeking candidates interested in entry-level Firefighter/EMT and entry-level Firefighter/Paramedic positions! No firefighting experience is necessary. All training is provided.
Central Pierce Fire & Rescue provides 24-hour emergency medical and fire suppression protection to approximately 331,000 community members covering 178 square miles, encompassing the communities of Elk Plain, Frederickson, Graham, Midland, Orting, Parkland, Puyallup, South Hill, Spanaway, and Summit. As of January 1, 2026, Central Pierce Fire & Rescue is now the second-largest fire district in Washington state.
This recruitment will create a list of candidates from which we will fill at least two fire academies in 2027 and possibly more. Selected candidates who are not already EMT certified will receive this training as part of the fire academy. Candidates who are selected for Paramedic vacancies must already be certified as Paramedics and will receive a premium pay. We have a contract for service with neighboring South Pierce Fire & Rescue and will use this recruitment to fill two Firefighter/Paramedic vacancies for them.
FIREFIGHTER POSITION DESCRIPTION
Protects life and property by performing firefighting, emergency medical aid, hazardous materials, and fire prevention duties. Maintains fire equipment, aid equipment, apparatus, and facilities.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the general supervision of a Fire Lieutenant or Captain.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
May assist to coordinate, instruct, or supervise the work of new recruits, or other part-time department personnel, as assigned, and may perform as a Lieutenant (if qualified) on an occasional basis.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Performs firefighting activities including driving fire apparatus, operating pumps and related equipment, laying hose, and performing fire combat, containment and extinguishing tasks.
Provides immediate emergency medical aid to sick and injured persons at the level of certification (EMT or Paramedic) using limited equipment. Controls the scene, may prepare for the arrival of Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support transport personnel, and may transport when necessary.
Participates in fire drills, attends classes in firefighting, emergency medical, hazardous materials, and related subjects.
Inspects buildings within the District to obtain pre-incident plans that illustrate basic structural layout, identify any potential hazards, and show the location of the sprinkler systems and hydrants to be used in the event of an emergency.
Maintains fire equipment, apparatus, and facilities. Performs minor repairs to departmental equipment.
Performs general maintenance work in the upkeep of fire facilities and equipment; cleans and washes walls and floors; cares for grounds around station; makes minor repairs; washes, hangs and dries hose; washes, cleans, polishes, maintains and tests apparatus and equipment.
Assists in developing plans for special assignments such as emergency preparedness, hazardous communications, training programs, firefighting, hazardous materials, and emergency aid activities.
Presents programs to the community on safety, medical, and fire prevention topics.
Performs salvage operations such as throwing salvage covers, sweeping water, and removing debris.
Responds to non-emergency or lower priority calls for assistance (i.e. pumping flooded basements, etc.).
PERIPHERAL DUTIES
Assists in department supervisory and administrative activities as assigned.
Assists in training new employees as assigned.
Qualifications, KSA's, Tools & Equipment, Work Environment and Physical Demands

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• No specific work experience level required.
• Must be 18 years or older at the time of employment.
• Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver's license and must meet requirements of District's insurance guidelines.
• No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal histories within the past seven years.
• U.S. citizen.
• Must be able to read and write the English language.
• Must be able to meet the District's adopted minimum physical, medical and psychological standards for Firefighter.
• Must be CPAT* certified (certification must be less than 12 months old by date of application - provide documentation).
• Must be able to successfully complete Firefighter Recruit Academy, which may include successful attainment of an EMT certification (unless the candidate is certified as a Paramedic), and complete a one (1) year probationary period to remain employed.

* CPAT = Candidate Physical Ability Test
Proof of CPAT certification must be attached to your application and must be less than 12 months old by date of your application.
Two options for scheduling a CPAT:
1. Go to or call 1-206-428-3265
2. Go to or call 1-866-447-3911
Application Process
Application Period: 6/24/26 - 8/3/26
Online Written Exam: 8/15/26
Oral Board Interviews (In-person): 9/8/26 - 9/10/26
Background Investigation: September - October 2026
Chief's Interviews (In-person): 11/2/26 - 11/9/26
Online Psychological Testing: 12/1/26 - 12/2/26
Psychological Evaluations: December 2026
Physical Evaluations, including drug screen: December 2026 - January 2027
Academy #1 Start Date: 2/1/27
Second Group -- Tentative Timelines
Chief's Interviews: 4/13/27 - 4/14/27
Online Psychological Testing: 4/26/27 - 4/27/27
Psychological Evaluations: May 2027
Physical Evaluations, including drug screen: May 2027
Academy #2 Start Date: 6/28/27
Schedule
Uniformed 24 Hour Shift employees will work on a four (4) platoon system (A, B, C & D Shifts) with no Debit Days, for an average workweek of 42.11 hours. Duty hours shall be 24-hour shifts of duty (0800-0800), with a rotating schedule of one (1) on, three (3) off.
Medical & Vision
Medical and vision insurance is offered through the Northwest Fire Fighter Trust. The benefits are managed by Local 726 and paid for by the District. Medical premiums for employees and their families are covered 100%. Employees and their families are covered on Regence or Group Health Plans.
Dental
Dental insurance is offered through the Washington Counties Insurance Fund (WCIF). Currently WCIF offers two plans to choose from: Washington Dental Service/Delta Dental (WDS) and Willamette Dental.
Local 726 offers WDS Plan D to our firefighters and their dependents. There is a $2,000 per person lifetime orthodontic benefit. The plan summary details the plan covers diagnostic and preventative services at 100% in or out-of-network, restorative services at 90% for PPO dentists, or 80% for premier or out-of-network providers, and major services at 50% in or out-of-network.
Willamette Dental is a managed care dental plan. There is no annual maximum and no deductible. General office visits have a $10 co-pay. Orthodontia has a $150 co-pay for the pre-orthodontic service, and comprehensive orthodontia is covered for an out-of-pocket cost of $1800. All other services are covered at 100%.
VEBA
A VEBA is a tax-free health reimbursement arrangement. Under the current collective bargaining agreement, the District contributes $1,104 annually to a VEBA for employees with employee-only coverage and $2,208 annually for employees with one or more dependents for each bargaining unit member.
Any monies remaining in the VEBA at the end of the plan year remain in the employee's account.
Section 125 Flex Spending/Dependent Day Care
Participating employees may have dependent care expenses and non-reimbursed medical expenses pre-taxed, meaning these expenses are deducted from your paycheck prior to federal withholding. To sign up and maintain this benefit, a salary redirection agreement must be completed annually during the enrollment period.
Pension
All full-time firefighters contribute a percentage of their salary to the Department of Retirement, LEOFF (Law Enforcement Officer and Fire Fighter Retirement System) Plan 2 systems. CPFR also contributes a percentage on a monthly basis to your retirement account. These percentages are set by the Department of Retirement Services each year.
Deferred Compensation
Employees of Central Pierce Fire & Rescue are offered a tax-advantaged retirement plan known as a 457. Like the better-known 401(k) plan in the private sector, the 457 plan allows employees to deposit a portion of their pre-tax earnings in an account, reducing their income taxes for the year while postponing the taxes due until the money is withdrawn after they retire or separate from employment. A Roth version of the 457 plan, which allows after-tax contributions, is also available.
For 2026, the District will contribute 6.2% of First-Class Firefighter wage per month ($621) to the plan with no matching requirement.
EAP
All employees/members of Central Pierce Fire & Rescue are offered an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This service is available to you, your family, or anyone residing in your home. The program offers confidential, professional help for drug or alcohol problems, marital difficulties, child and family problems, emotional stress, job stress or any combination of these. The first five (5) visits are at no cost to you.
Paid Time Off
Employees are awarded 504 hours of Paid Time Off (PTO) in January of each year. New hires will receive a pro-rated amount of PTO based on their hire date. For example: Someone hired in July would have 6 months of service for the year and would be given 50% (6 months of the 12 months) PTO for the year or 252 hours.
Short Term Disability (STD)
Employees are given a one-time deposit of STD leave of 2,189 hours. STD can be used for personal illness or incapacity, the health condition of a child under the age of 18, or scheduled doctor's appointments, which, due to circumstances, cannot be scheduled while off duty.
Basic Life
Employees of the District receive a basic life insurance policy in the amount of $12,000 with premiums paid by the employer. Employees also receive a $20,000 Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy through their health insurance plan.
Voluntary Term Life/Voluntary Accidental Death & Dismemberment
Employees can opt to purchase additional life insurance and/or accidental death and dismemberment insurance through the Standard insurance company. Contact Human Resources if interested at
01
Do you have a high school diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

02
Are you currently CPAT certified? (Certification must be dated within one (1) year of the date you are submitting this application.)

• Yes
• No

03
Please attach a copy of your current* CPAT Certification*current is within one year prior to the date of this application you are submitting

• I have attached my current* CPAT certification
• I do not have a current* CPAT certification and understand that by submitting this application without attaching a current* CPAT certification I will be automatically disqualified from moving forward in this process, and my application will be eliminated from consideration.

04
Are you certified as an EMT through Washington State, another state, or the National Registry with currency of ongoing education? Please note: You are not required to be EMT-certified to apply.

• Yes, I am certified as an EMT through Washington State.
• Yes, I am certified as an EMT through another state.
• Yes, I am certified as an EMT through National Registry.
• No, I am not certified as an EMT.

05
Are you certified as a Paramedic through Washington State, another state, or the National Registry with currency of ongoing education? Please note: You are not required to be Paramedic-certified to apply. Paramedic candidates may be considered for upcoming Paramedic vacancies.

• Yes, I am certified as a Paramedic through Washington State.
• Yes, I am certified as a Paramedic through another state.
• Yes, I am certified as a Paramedic through the National Registry.
• No, I am not certified as a Paramedic.

06
If you are a Paramedic, are you interested in working as a Firefighter/Paramedic (versus a Firefighter/EMT)?

• Yes, I am a current Paramedic and would like to be considered for a Firefighter/Paramedic position.
• No, I would not like to be considered for a Firefighter/Paramedic position even though I am a Paramedic.
• I am not a Paramedic.

07
This recruitment will be used to hire for Central Pierce Fire & Rescue and South Pierce Fire & Rescue. At this time, South Pierce is hiring for Paramedics only. Please indicate your agency interest below.

• I would like to apply with Central Pierce Fire & Rescue only.
• I would like to apply with South Pierce Fire & Rescue only.
• I would like to apply for both Central Pierce and South Pierce.

08
I understand there is a Candidate Orientation Guide for the FPSI Firefighter Aptitude and Character Test (FACT). Please check "Yes" to acknowledge that you understand that only if you meet the minimum qualifications (including attaching proof of current CPAT certification) will you be emailed a copy of the Candidate Orientation Guide and are responsible for ensuring that you have received it.

• Yes
• No

09
I understand that if CPFR is unable to contact me in order to attend a