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Firefighter Usa Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

FCFRD is also home to VATF-1/USA-1, an internationally recognized urban search and rescue team that ... firefighting resources Studies building construction to identify structural weaknesses and fire ...

Firefighter Usa information

See Reston, VA salary details

$29.6K

$62K

$104K

How much do firefighter usa jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for firefighter usa in Reston, VA is $62,012.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,300.00 and $71,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a firefighter in the USA?

Firefighters in the USA are highly trained professionals who respond to emergencies such as fires, medical incidents, hazardous material spills, and natural disasters. Their primary responsibilities include extinguishing fires, rescuing people and animals, providing emergency medical care, and promoting fire prevention and safety education within their communities. Firefighters often work long shifts and are required to maintain physical fitness and ongoing training to handle various high-risk situations effectively.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a firefighter in the USA, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Firefighter in the USA, you need physical fitness, emergency response knowledge, and completion of fire academy training, often supported by EMT certification. Familiarity with firefighting equipment, breathing apparatus, and incident management systems is essential. Teamwork, resilience, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are standout soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring effective emergency response, public safety, and personal well-being in hazardous situations.

What is the difference between Firefighter Usa vs Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)?

AspectFirefighter UsaEmergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Required CertificationsFirefighter certification, CPR, EMT certification often preferredEMT certification, CPR, First Aid
Work EnvironmentFire stations, emergency scenes, rescue operationsAmbulances, emergency scenes, hospitals
Industry UsageFire departments, rescue servicesAmbulance services, hospitals, emergency response teams

Firefighter Usa and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) roles both respond to emergencies but differ in focus. Firefighters primarily handle fire suppression, rescue, and hazardous situations, requiring specialized firefighting certifications. EMTs provide pre-hospital emergency medical care, focusing on patient assessment and basic life support. While both roles require CPR and emergency response training, firefighters often have more extensive certifications related to fire safety, whereas EMTs specialize in medical care. Both are vital in emergency services but serve distinct functions within the emergency response ecosystem.

What are some common challenges firefighters in the USA face during their shifts?

Firefighters in the USA often encounter unpredictable emergency situations, which can range from structural fires to medical emergencies and hazardous material incidents. A key challenge is the need to make quick, critical decisions under pressure while ensuring personal safety and the safety of others. Firefighters also work long, physically demanding shifts—often 24 hours at a time—which can lead to fatigue. Teamwork and clear communication are crucial, as most tasks require close coordination with fellow firefighters, paramedics, and other emergency personnel.
What job categories do people searching Firefighter Usa jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Firefighter Usa jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Firefighter Usa jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Firefighter Usa job openings:
Infographic showing various Firefighter Usa job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,012 per year, or $29.8 per hour.

Firefighter (Firefighter/EMT)

Fairfax County Government

Fairfax, VA • On-site

Other

Re-posted 4 days ago


Fairfax County rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 68 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

344th of 844 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Job Announcement
One of the most Dynamic Counties in the Nation

Fairfax County is home to diverse communities covering urban, suburban, and rural areas. With a population of over 1.1 million residents, the county boasts a nationally recognized school system, safe neighborhoods, extensive parklands, and bustling town centers. This urban county has a history of engagement and outstanding fire and rescue service delivery.
About the Department
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD) received a Class 1 rating from the Insurance Services Office (ISO) in 2014 and was accredited through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) in 2018. FCFRD is a premier all-hazards fire and rescue department providing basic and advanced life support (BLS and ALS) emergency medical services (EMS), fire suppression, technical rescue, hazardous materials response, water rescue, life safety education, fire prevention, and arson investigation services. Approximately 2,000 uniformed, professional, and volunteer staff work across 39 strategically placed fire and rescue stations and administrative offices. FCFRD field personnel work one of three rotating 24-hour shifts. The FCFRD has 38 ALS engines, 13 ALS trucks/towers, five ALS rescue squads, four ALS chase vehicles, three tankers, a hazardous materials unit, and 43 emergency medical transport units. Several other types of apparatus, such as brush trucks, boats, and support vehicles supplement the department. FCFRD is also home to VATF-1/USA-1, an internationally recognized urban search and rescue team that can deploy throughout the world to assist in times of crisis. The department has been accredited through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) since 2018.

Duties include:
  • Responds to emergency calls to protect life and property;
  • Combats, extinguishes, and prevents fires;
  • Participates in rescue extrication operations and provides emergency medical care to the sick and injured;
  • Provides basic and advanced emergency medical care to stabilize the condition of the critically ill or injured prior to transport to a medical facility;
  • Drives emergency apparatus, including, but not limited to transport units, engines, trucks, rescue squads, and tankers;
  • Conducts patient assessment;
  • Performs related work as required under direct supervision;
  • Participates in Community Risk Reduction and community outreach activities; and
  • Works as part of a team and embodies the FRD's Core Values.

Note: Following successful completion of recruit school, incumbents will serve a 12-month probationary period.
Learn more about the Fire and Rescue Department by visiting our website, and by following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and our YouTube channel. Illustrative Duties

Fire Suppression

  • Responds to fire alarms and a variety of emergency calls
  • Connects hose to hydrant, and pulls and deploys pre-connected hose lines;
  • Wearing self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing, enters burning buildings with hose lines
  • Operates a nozzle and places a stream of water on a fire
  • Mounts and operates master stream appliances from an aerial ladder or elevating platform
  • Ventilates burning buildings by opening windows/skylights or by opening holes in roofs/floors
  • Positions ventilation fans to safely inject fresh air and exhaust heat, smoke, and gases
  • Performs salvage operations (e.g., removes fire debris and water, locates hidden fires, and operates shut-off valves for gas, electricity, oil and water)
  • Operates chemical and hand extinguishers
  • Raises, lowers, and climbs ladders
  • Uses radio and computer-aided dispatch equipment
  • Drives motorized apparatus in emergency and non-emergency conditions
  • Operates fire pumps at proper pressures and flows
  • Searches for victims in burning, smoke-filled buildings or other hazardous environments;
  • Removes persons from danger
  • Performs heavy rescue operations
  • Administers first aid to injured persons
  • Takes vital signs and stabilizes patient
  • Collects pertinent information for patient assessment, including the patient's medical history
  • Conducts assessment for treatment of a patient with trauma-induced injuries
  • Performs water rescues from land and boats
  • Assists in the search and recovery of drowned victims
  • Operates emergency lighting appliances
  • Operates self-contained breathing apparatus in hazardous environments and confined spaces
  • Identifies and protects flammable or hazardous materials at fire scene
  • Restores apparatus and equipment to service after use
  • Refills self-contained breathing cylinders
  • Maintains specialized fire equipment and protective gear
  • Studies area geography, street names and locations, target hazards, pre-plans, water supply, and other firefighting resources
  • Studies building construction to identify structural weaknesses and fire behavior
  • Instructs citizens in fire prevention and life safety techniques
  • Examines building plans for pre-fire planning purposes
  • Pre-plans for fires in residential areas to provide information regarding hydrant locations, exposures, types of occupancy, and areas of high life or monetary loss risk
  • Pre-plans for fires in industrial and commercial buildings to provide information regarding location of hydrants and standpipes, building layout, hazardous material storage, occupancy patterns, and structural information
  • Participates in the inspection of businesses and public places for fire and life safety hazards
  • Inspects wiring and heating systems, basements, and attics of residences, and recommends ways to eliminate fire hazards
  • Inspects storage of hazardous and flammable materials and refers unsafe practices to the Fire Prevention Division
  • Inspects heating, cooling, ventilating, and electrical systems in commercial buildings and refers unsafe practices to the Fire Prevention Division
  • Inspects exits at public assemblies to ensure they are clearly marked, operate properly, and are clear of obstructions
  • Prepares inspection reports
  • Recognizes and preserves evidence on the causes of fires
  • Performs public relations duties (e.g., teaching school children about fire safety)

Emergency Medical Services
  • Drives a Basic Life Support Unit or Advanced Life Support Unit in response to emergency calls, transporting victims to a medical facility
  • Conducts primary and secondary patient survey
  • Provides and assists in rendering emergency care, such as opening and maintaining a victim's airway, giving positive pressure ventilation and cardiac resuscitation in a pulseless, non-breathing patient, controlling hemorrhages, treating for shock, immobilizing fractures, bandaging wounds, assisting in childbirth, and initiating poison and burn treatments
  • Performs triage assessment in a multi-casualty incident
  • Inspects scene of poisoning or drug overdose to determine nature of poison, and identifies antidote or treatment procedure
  • Treats a range of injuries requiring emergency care techniques within the scope of an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
  • Assists in the extrication of entrapped victims, using prescribed techniques and appliances for removing the patient safely
  • Assures prompt medical care on delivery by reporting via radio, directly to the emergency department or control center, the nature and extent of injuries or the medical situation, as well as the estimated time of arrival
  • Performs routine preventive maintenance on the rescue vehicle
  • Stocks and maintains and participates in the inventory of supplies and medical equipment in the vehicle
  • Participates in medical equipment checks.

In Each Functional Area
  • Attends training sessions, participates in drills, and participates in the physical fitness program;
  • Performs housekeeping tasks in fire stations and on the grounds of fire stations
  • Utilizing computers and other related equipment, maintains records as necessary and completes incident reports
  • Participates in firefighting, rescue, and EMS duties
Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to") High school graduation or possession of a GED issued by a state department of education.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES REQUIRED:

  • Possession of a valid motor vehicle driver's license at the time of application, and at all times during employment in the uniformed service.
Following successful completion of Fire and Rescue recruit training:
  • Certification as a Commonwealth of Virginia Emergency Medical Technician (EMT);
  • Certification in Hazardous Materials Operations- Mission Specific in accordance with Fairfax County training standards;
  • Certification in Virginia Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) in accordance with Fairfax County training standards;
  • Certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) Basic Life Support Provider;
  • Successful Completion of Incident Command System (ICS) 100;
  • Successful Completion of Incident Command System (ICS) 700.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Regardless of area of assignment, all uniformed fire and rescue personnel that are medically qualified for field duties as a firefighter must maintain a level of fitness sufficient to enable them to participate in fire suppression and rescue activities when the need arises, as demonstrated by successful completion of the Fitness Measurement and Assessment Program (unless granted light duty due to illness or injury).
  • Must successfully complete a criminal background investigation, a polygraph examination, and a physical ability test prior to appointment.
  • Must be 18 years old at the time of application.
  • Must be tobacco-free and nicotine-free at the time of appointment and be willing to sign a Conditions of Employment Agreement to not use tobacco or tobacco products on or off duty.
  • Personnel must maintain a Class "A" medical rating in the assigned medical group prior to starting work.
  • For Class "B" and "C" medical ratings, an accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • A Class "D" medical rating will not be considered.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The employee must be able to:
  • Reach above shoulder;
  • Work with body, bend over at the waist, kneel, crawl, climb stairs & ladders;
  • Work with arms extended, work with arms above shoulder level, stand, sit, push, and stoop;
  • All duties are performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

SELECTION PROCESS:
Successfully pass the following evaluation steps:
  • Application review
  • Personal History Statement
  • Written exam
  • FCFRD Physical Abilities Test (PAT)
  • Polygraph evaluation
  • Medical examination
  • Psychological profile evaluation
  • Must complete fingerprints or background check with VA OEMS for eligibility to hold an EMS certification

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.govEEO/AA/TTY.

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