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Fire Rescue Jobs in North Carolina (NOW HIRING)

Fire/Rescue Captain

Leland, NC ยท On-site

$67K - $84K/yr

Manages and performs technical and administrative work in commanding and coordinating fire and rescue operations, assists with the training of firefighters and rescue personnel, fire prevention ...

Manages and performs technical and administrative work in commanding and coordinating fire and rescue operations, assists with the training of firefighters and rescue personnel, fire prevention ...

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Fire Rescue information

See North Carolina salary details

$28.2K

$95.9K

$166.3K

How much do fire rescue jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for fire rescue in North Carolina is $95,949.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,900.00 and $112,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is fire rescue?

Fire rescue jobs involve professionals who respond to emergencies such as fires, accidents, and natural disasters. Their primary duties include extinguishing fires, rescuing people and animals from dangerous situations, providing emergency medical care, and educating the public about fire prevention. Fire rescue personnel work in high-pressure environments and are trained in firefighting, first aid, hazardous materials handling, and technical rescue operations. These roles are essential for ensuring public safety and often require physical fitness, teamwork, and quick decision-making skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a fire rescue professional, and why are they important?

To thrive in Fire Rescue, you need comprehensive knowledge of firefighting techniques, emergency medical procedures, and a high level of physical fitness, usually supported by relevant certifications such as EMT or Firefighter I/II. Familiarity with firefighting equipment, rescue tools, and communication systems like radios and incident command software is essential. Strong teamwork, quick decision-making, and resilience under pressure are standout soft skills in this role. These capabilities are vital to effectively respond to emergencies, save lives, and ensure the safety of both the public and fellow responders.

What are some common challenges faced by fire rescue professionals during emergency responses?

Fire rescue professionals often encounter dynamic and high-pressure situations, such as rapidly evolving fires, hazardous materials, or medical emergencies. Challenges include maintaining clear communication with team members, ensuring personal safety while rescuing others, and making quick decisions with limited information. Additionally, they must adapt to various environments, from residential buildings to industrial sites, often while carrying heavy equipment. Strong teamwork and ongoing training help them manage these challenges effectively.

What is the difference between Fire Rescue vs Firefighter?

AspectFire RescueFirefighter
CertificationsFirefighter I & II, EMT certificationFirefighter I & II, EMT certification
Work EnvironmentEmergency response, rescue operations, fire suppressionFire suppression, rescue, emergency medical services
Employer & IndustryFire departments, emergency servicesFire departments, emergency services
Common Search IntentDifferences between fire rescue and firefighter rolesRoles and responsibilities of firefighters

Fire Rescue and Firefighter roles often overlap, with both requiring similar certifications and working in fire departments. Fire Rescue typically emphasizes rescue operations and emergency response, while Firefighters focus on fire suppression and prevention. Understanding these distinctions helps job seekers find the right career path in emergency services.

What job categories do people searching Fire Rescue jobs in North Carolina look for?

The top searched job categories for Fire Rescue jobs in North Carolina are:

What cities in North Carolina are hiring for Fire Rescue jobs?

Cities in North Carolina with the most Fire Rescue job openings:

Infographic showing various Fire Rescue job openings in North Carolina as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 30% Full Time, and 70% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $95,949 per year, or $46.1 per hour.

Fire/Rescue Captain

Town of Leland

Leland, NC โ€ข On-site

$67K - $84K/yr

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Supervises and leads firefighting and rescue crews at emergency scenes, establishing command and assessing situations.

  • Coordinates and manages fire and rescue operations, including directing emergency response activities and evaluating performance.

  • Oversees training, equipment maintenance, and community outreach related to fire prevention, safety, and emergency preparedness.


Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Leads a firefighting crew that performs protective service work. Manages and performs technical and administrative work in commanding and coordinating fire and rescue operations, assists with the training of firefighters and rescue personnel, fire prevention, general facility/equipment maintenance, public education and other fire and rescue programs and services. Leads their crew and the department by consistently applying the mission of the Leland Fire/Rescue Department, the Town of Leland's core values, and holding others accountable to do the same. This position is designated as a safety sensitive position and will be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings under the Town's Drug-Free and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policy. This position is designated as essential during emergency or disaster situations. Work is performed with the general direction of the Battalion Chief.
Essential Job Functions
  • Responds to emergency incidents as required by departmental policy; establishes and assumes command of an incident until relieved by a higher-ranking officer.
  • Supervises activities at emergency scenes, assessing situations and determining tactical objectives. Evaluates performance on the scene and makes suggestions for future activities; conducts post-incident critiques. Directs single and/or multiple emergency companies responding to fire, medical, hazardous material, rescue and all types of emergency incidents.
  • Provides pre-hospital care in accordance with departmental and Brunswick County policies; protects privacy of all patient information in accordance with departmental policies.
  • Works and trains with others, leading them to meet the mission of the department and the core values of the Town of Leland.
  • Demonstrates leadership to all others in the department, serving as an example to firefighters.
  • Supervises assigned staff, including assigning, directing, training, monitoring, managing, and evaluating personnel performance.
  • Collects, analyzes and evaluates data to be able to prepare and deliver clear and concise orders at emergency scenes.
  • Evaluates the training needs of personnel and works with the department's training officer to develop and provide training relative to deficiencies in emergency operations; coordinates evaluates, and conducts single and multi-company drills.
  • Oversees and participates in the maintenance of equipment and facilities; operates department apparatus, vehicles and radios when needed.
  • Oversees and participates in the management of of fire suppression, prevention, training and disaster preparedness program services and activities.
  • Coordinates an administrative program for the department, as assigned.
  • Participates in a variety of community events on behalf of the Department.
  • Maintains inventory of supplies and equipment; works with logistics specialist and administration to acquire items.
  • Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of fire prevention, suppression, training, and management.
  • Prepares a variety of public information materials; conducts or has team members conduct public information/education classes related to fire prevention, emergency medical services, hazardous materials, disaster preparedness and other department activities.
  • Prepares and maintains a variety of records and manuals; researches and prepares reports for presentations.
  • Performs work during emergency/disaster situations upon request and as assigned by the Battalion Chief or higher ranking officer.
  • Regularly demonstrates the Town's core values of respect, engagement, supportive work environment, communication, and service excellence and holds others accountable to do the same.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Requirements
  • Associate/Technical degree with coursework in fire protection technology and considerable (3-5 years) experience in fire prevention, suppression including moderate supervisory experience.
  • Minimum of six (6) years of experience as a firefighter.
  • Possession of a valid NC Class B driver's license.
  • Possession of a valid non CDL Class A driver's license within twelve (12) months of appointment.
  • Possession of NC Firefighter II, IFSAC or ProBoard, Fire Instructor, and Fire Officer I at appointment.
  • D/O Pumps and D/O Aerials, within twelve (12) months of appointment.
  • Possession of NC Emergency Vehicle Driver certification.
  • Possession of Basic Life Support certification.
  • Possession of EMT-Basic certification.
  • Completion of NIMS ICS 100 and 200, IS 700 and 800 courses within 12 months of appointment.
  • NC Technical Rescuer certification and one of the following certifications (Technical Rescuer Confined Space, Technical Rescuer Swift Water, Technical Rescuer Vehicle or Technical Rescuer Machinery & Agricultural) within eighteen (18) months of appointment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Ability to create and foster a mission-focused and values-driven cultural environment that promotes the creation of excellent outcomes for the department's internal and external stakeholders, and helps people want to be their best.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of the geography and street layout of the service districts and surrounding areas.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of fire ground tactics and strategy, the Incident Command System (ICS), principles of incident safety, automatic and mutual aid agreements, hazardous materials incident management, confined space and technical rescue techniques.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of fire science theory, principles and practices and their application to a wide variety of emergency service operations including fire suppression, fire prevention, and fire investigation; operational characteristics of fire apparatus and equipment including emergency driving techniques, modern fire loss, and fire prevention principles, methods and practices.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of departmental policies, procedures and manual of operations of the Fire/Rescue Department.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of Brunswick County EMS protocols.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws and codes and regulations pertaining to fire and emergency medical service operations.
  • Ability to operate in extremely dangerous scenarios and life and death environments that potentially expose the individual to great bodily harm or death.
  • Ability to perform in dynamic, highly stressful situations.
  • Ability to react quickly and calmly in all types of emergency and departmental scenarios.
  • Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions and project consequences of proposed actions.
  • Ability to work extended hours and days to meet all operational needs when necessary. May be recalled to duty at any time by the Incident Commander or the Fire Chief.
  • Ability to make arithmetic computations using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.
  • Ability to compute rates, ratios, and percentages.
  • Ability to follow oral and written directions and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, other medical personnel, law enforcement, and the general public.

Physical Requirements
  • Ability to pass the annual Job Physical Ability Test (JPAT).
  • Ability to wear a respirator (SCBA) to safely perform firefighting operations, or perform rescues in conditions where smoke or gases may be present; duties may require SCBA usage for thirty (30) minutes to several hours at one time.

This work requires regular exertion of up to 25 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires standing, walking and speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms; frequently requires stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, pushing or pulling, and lifting; occasionally requires sitting, climbing or balancing, smelling, and repetitive motions; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work regularly requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions, and exposure to bloodborne pathogens; work frequently requires exposure to wet, humid conditions (non-weather), exposure to fumes or airborne particles; work occasionally requires working near moving mechanical parts, working in high, precarious places, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to extreme heat (non-weather), exposure to the risk of electrical shock, working with explosives, exposure to vibration, and required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. grounds maintenance, heavy traffic).
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Salary Description
$67,200.00 - $84,000.00