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Firefighter Lateral Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Firefighter- Paramedic

Southfield, MI · On-site

$62K - $96K/yr

Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. • Must have the State of Michigan Firefighter I & II Certification • For lateral consideration, applicant must be currently employed as a sworn ...

Firefighter- Paramedic

Southfield, MI · On-site

$62K - $96K/yr

Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. • Must have the State of Michigan Firefighter I & II Certification • For lateral consideration, applicant must be currently employed as a sworn ...

Firefighter - EMT

Southfield, MI · On-site

$57K - $87K/yr

Must have the State of Michigan Firefighter I & II Certification upon establishment of the ... For lateral consideration, applicant must be currently employed as a sworn Fire Fighter and be a ...

Lateral Transfer Hiring Bonus: Certified police officers and fulltime firefighters with MFR licensure are eligible for a $15,000 lateral transfer hiring incentive. KDPS also allows reciprocal service ...

Firefighter Lateral information

See Michigan salary details

$24.8K

$52K

$87.2K

How much do firefighter lateral jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for firefighter lateral in Michigan is $51,952.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39,700.00 and $60,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What responsibilities will I have as a firefighter lateral?

As a Firefighter Lateral, you’ll typically be expected to perform the full range of duties similar to other experienced firefighters, including responding to fire and medical emergencies, participating in training exercises, and conducting equipment checks. You’ll collaborate closely with your new crew, adapting to department protocols and learning the specific procedures unique to your new station. Many lateral hires are given a brief orientation or onboarding process to familiarize them with local geography, equipment, and reporting structures. Your previous experience will be valued right away, but you may also be assessed for compatibility with the team’s operations during your initial shifts.

What is a firefighter lateral?

A Firefighter Lateral job is a position for experienced firefighters who are transferring from another fire department. These positions allow qualified personnel to join a new department without starting at an entry-level rank. Lateral firefighters typically must meet specific experience, certification, and training requirements. This process helps departments bring in skilled professionals who can quickly integrate into operations.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a firefighter lateral?

To thrive as a Firefighter Lateral, you need proven firefighting experience, thorough knowledge of fire suppression, rescue operations, and emergency medical response, typically supported by Firefighter I/II certification and EMT or Paramedic credentials. Familiarity with specialized firefighting equipment, apparatus operations, and incident management systems like ICS is important. Outstanding teamwork, quick decision-making, and strong communication skills are key soft skills for excelling in this role. These abilities ensure effective emergency response, safety for both the public and crew, and seamless integration into an existing fire department team.

What are popular job titles related to Firefighter Lateral jobs in Michigan? For Firefighter Lateral jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Firefighter Lateral jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Firefighter Lateral job openings:
Infographic showing various Firefighter Lateral job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $51,952 per year, or $25 per hour.

$62K - $96K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 2 hours ago


Job description

Description YOU MUST BE A CERTIFIED AND LICENSED FIREFIGHTER-PARAMEDIC TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION. PARAMEDICS THAT ARE NOT CERTIFIED FIREFIGHTERS SHOULD APPLY TO THE PARAMEDIC TO FIREFIGHTER POSITION THAT IS POSTED. CLASSIFICATION: Fire Fighter/Paramedic --Southfield Fire Department SALARY & BENEFITS: Salary range: Fire Fighter/Paramedic -$62,929- $96,419 (*Years of qualifying work experience as a Sworn Fire Fighter are determined by City of Southfield, as of the eligibility list certification date) Please check your email inbox, spam and junk folders for important communication regarding your hiring status.

If you unsubscribe from emails, you will not receive notices to schedule interviews and testing. Representative Job Duties Responsible for effectively responding to fire, rescue, first aid, and related emergencies; participating in daily drills, protecting life and property; maintaining equipment, apparatus and buildings; participating in fire safety surveys and pre-plans, performing routine housekeeping of fire station facilities, grounds, and equipment, and participating in training activities, and other work as assigned. Work is subject to the hazards encountered in emergency fire and rescue operations, including the physical and mental stresses inherent in public safety work.

Work is subject to a 24-hour shift and on-call status when required. Emergency medical care and related duties as assigned. An employee will be proficient with E.M.S

equipment and be able to operate same in any given situation. Must have the ability to evaluate and treat patients in medical emergencies. Employees in this class will maintain E.M.S

and firefighting skills as well as their Paramedic License throughout City of Southfield tenure. Job Requirements - As Determined By the City Of Southfield Must have a State of Michigan Paramedic License before date of hire. Be a U.S

citizen; 18 years of age or older at the time of application; Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. Must have the State of Michigan Firefighter I & II Certification For lateral consideration, applicant must be currently employed as a sworn Fire Fighter and be a Fire Fighter in "good standing" or if recently separated from service (i.e. laid off) must have been a Fire Fighter in "good standing" at the time of separation

Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodations. Must possess a valid Michigan driver's license and a good driving record as determined by the City's Driving Standards. Must have no felony convictions and no record of serious misdemeanor convictions.

All applicants must pass or have proof of passing a Physical Ability Test within the last (1) year by time of hire. Must have a current passing test score (at least 70%) on record with Empco by date of application and have The City of Southfield Fire Department selected in your profile. (Register with Empco at https://www.empco.net/)

Test fees are the responsibility of the applicant. (Lateral applicants that are currently employed as a sworn fire fighter or have less than 30 days since being employed as one are excluded the EMPCO Written Examination requirements.) Supplemental Information The selection process will include the completion of a City of Southfield application packet, a review of the applicant's qualifications, driving record and criminal history check, a written examination, and an oral board interview. Selected candidates will be subject to an extensive background investigation, and must successfully pass a psychological evaluation and physical exam prior to employment

Each step of the process must be passed before the applicant will be moved to the next step. How to Schedule the Written Exam through EMPCO: 1. To schedule a test through Empco, go to https://www.empco.net/ and follow the instructions

Create a new profile or log in to your existing Empco profile, then click on the Test Schedule to sign up for a Firefighter test. Be sure to select The City of Southfield Fire Department under the Select Agencies tab in your Empco profile in order for your test score and information to be viewable to our department. 2.

You must complete an online profile and schedule a written examination for this position at https://www.empco.net/. Read and follow the listed instructions. There is a fee to take the examination but the results of this one test will be accepted by all participating Fire Departments in Michigan

The Firefighter written exam must be completed with a score of 70% or higher prior to submitting your application. You must select The City of Southfield Fire Department under the Select Agencies tab in your Empco profile in order for your test score and information to be viewable to our department. Lateral applicants that are currently employed as a sworn fire fighter or have less than 30 days since being employed as one are excluded the EMPCO Written Examination requirements.

Applicants must maintain all minimum requirements and certifications while waiting for consideration for employment. Names of the successful candidates will remain eligible for consideration for one year from placement on the Eligibility List.