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First Responder Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

The Mentor serves as the first responder to provide immediate crisis intervention and mobile direct services support, once a survivor/victim is recovered. Because of the shared lived experiences of ...

New

The Mentor serves as the first responder to provide immediate crisis intervention and mobile direct services support, once a survivor/victim is recovered. Because of the shared lived experiences of ...

New

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First Responder information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

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How much do first responder jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for first responder in Raleigh, NC is $18.69, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.70 and $18.70 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What do first responders do?

A first responder is an umbrella term for the first medically trained person to arrive on the scene of a medical emergency, accident, or other issue of public safety, such as an earthquake. This title usually includes police officers, firefighters, or EMTs. As a first responder, your primary responsibilities are to quickly and competently assess a situation and determine what other EMTs, police officers, or firefighters need to know when they arrive. You provide initial rescue or first aid care, but unless you are an EMT, you save more advanced medical care for when the ambulance arrives. In other words, a firefighter may provide CPR to an accident victim, but they stop when the more qualified first responder can take over.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a first responder, and why are they important?

To thrive as a First Responder, you need expertise in emergency medical care, crisis assessment, and lifesaving procedures, often backed by EMT or paramedic certification. Familiarity with emergency communication systems, rescue equipment, and incident reporting tools is typically required. Strong decision-making, composure under pressure, and effective teamwork set outstanding First Responders apart. These abilities are crucial for delivering rapid, coordinated, and effective responses during emergencies, directly impacting safety and survival outcomes.

What is the difference between First Responder vs Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)?

AspectFirst ResponderEmergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Required CertificationsBasic First Aid, CPR, and often Emergency Response trainingState-specific EMT certification, CPR, First Aid
Work EnvironmentEmergency scenes, accident sites, public safety eventsAmbulances, hospitals, emergency scenes
Employer & Industry UsagePublic safety agencies, fire departments, policeAmbulance services, hospitals, EMS agencies

First Responders are trained to provide initial emergency care and scene safety, often before EMTs arrive. EMTs have more advanced medical training and can provide a wider range of pre-hospital care. Both roles are vital in emergency response, but EMTs typically have more specialized medical skills and certifications.

What is a first responder?

First responders are professionals who are among the first to arrive and provide assistance at the scene of an emergency, such as accidents, natural disasters, or medical crises. This group typically includes police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and paramedics. Their primary role is to assess the situation, provide immediate care or intervention, and ensure the safety of those involved until further help arrives or the situation is under control. First responders are highly trained to handle high-pressure situations and often play a crucial role in saving lives and minimizing harm.

What are some common challenges first responders face during multi-agency emergency situations?

First Responders often encounter challenges related to communication and coordination when working alongside multiple agencies, such as police, fire, and EMS teams. Differences in protocols, equipment, and terminology can lead to confusion or delays in response. To address these challenges, First Responders participate in joint training exercises and use standardized communication systems to ensure everyone is aligned during emergencies. Adaptability, teamwork, and a clear understanding of roles are essential skills for navigating these complex scenarios effectively.
What are popular job titles related to First Responder jobs in Raleigh, NC? For First Responder jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching First Responder jobs in Raleigh, NC look for? The top searched job categories for First Responder jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for First Responder jobs? Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most First Responder job openings:
Infographic showing various First Responder job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,883 per year, or $18.7 per hour.

Community Responder EMT Coordinator

City of Durham, NC

Durham, NC โ€ข On-site

$53K - $83K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago


Job description

Salary : $53,962.00 - $83,728.00 Annually
Location : 516 Rigsbee Avenue, Durham, NC
Job Type: Full time with benefits
Job Number: 26-05845
Department: Community Safety
Opening Date: 02/27/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Position Description
Work. Serve. Thrive. With the City of Durham
Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.
Hiring Range: $53,962 - $70,000
Hours: Four 10-hour shifts per week on a fixed rotating schedule. Some weekend coverage is required. No overnight shifts.
In 2022, the Durham Community Safety Department (DCSD) launched four 911 crisis response programs-collectively known as HEART (Holistic Empathetic Assistance Response Teams). Please visit and , watch , listen to , or read from The Assembly. In 2025, DCSD has added a new division focused on Stabilization Services. This expansion represents an exciting new phase in DCSD's development-and a thrilling opportunity to pair alternative response programs with stabilization services that can better support Neighbors.
DCSD is currently seeking a highly skilled and motivated EMT Coordinator to oversee emergency medical services operations. This individual will conduct ongoing EMT training programs, including skills refreshers, protocol updates, and certification courses. Lead quality assurance initiatives to assess and improve patient care standards. They will also act as a key liaison between DCSD and Durham County EMS, Public Health, Duke Hospital Systems and the Healthcare for the Homeless team. In addition to training and liaison responsibilities the EMT coordinator will also spend a portion of their time as an infield EMT on our Community Response Teams.
DCSD's approach to work is flexible, highly collaborative, and evidence driven. Our departmental culture prizes equity, care, and the health and safety of our staff. We are looking for candidates who share similar approaches and principles. We envision adding team members who are not only colleagues but partners in this challenging and purpose-driven work.
Duties/Responsibilities
  • Develop highly collaborative, trusting, and productive relationships with Durham County EMS, Public Health, and Healthcare for the Homeless teams.
  • Coordinate with Shift Supervisors to oversee daily EMS operations, response times, and equipment readiness.
  • Provide leadership and mentorship to EMT team, fostering a culture of professionalism and continuous improvement.
  • Participate in emergency response as an Provider, assisting with critical patient care as needed.
  • Coordinate with DCSD Inventory Specialist to ensure medical equipment and supplies are in proper working order.
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation as required by program deliverables and local, state, and federal policy and requirements.
  • Develop and maintain clear, open, timely, cooperative, and collaborative communication and working relations with all staff, clients, and partner agencies.
  • Coordinate and track continuing education for EMTs within DCSD.
  • Participate in supervision meetings as appropriate, case conferences, staff meetings, in-service training, and other staff development activities.
  • Aid in developing and coordinating DCSD's Continuity of Operations Plan.
  • Contribute to strategic planning activities and conversations regarding the performance and direction of the department, particularly in regard to crisis response and departmental culture.
  • Demonstrate a high level of resilience and self-care as part of maintaining wellness in a high crisis and first responder position.
  • Candidate may be required to complete Level 1 NC OEMS Instructor Credentialing
Minimum Qualifications & Experience
  • High School Diploma or GED,
  • Completion of a mental health, peer support or equivalent program,
  • Four years of experience as an EMT required
  • Eligible to function under the auspices of the Durham County Office of Emergency Services, EMS Division, and Medical Director.
  • Certification by the NC Office of Emergency Medical Services (NC OEMS) as an EMT Basic required.
  • Must have a valid, unrestricted, North Carolina driver's license "or" if you currently have another state driver's license, must be willing and able to obtain a valid NC driver's license within 60 days of hire
  • Must be able to travel to and from worksite and other locations within Durham
  • Must be able to walk/stand up to 75% of any assigned shift. Note: The team will be transported in vans to crisis call locations
  • Must be able to lift over 100 lbs occasionally, 50-100 lbs. frequently, or up to 20-50 lbs constantly.
Additional Preferred Skills
  • Significant experience with crisis response.
  • Crisis Intervention Team certification
  • Experience working with Peer Support Specialists or other individuals with lived experience with behavioral and mental health, substance use, and/or Intellectual Developmental Disability crises.
  • Ability to speak two or more languages, with a high priority on Spanish.
  • Familiarity with Durham health systems and community resources/services for physical health behavioral and mental health, substance use, Intellectual Developmental Disability, family dynamics, sexual/physical abuse, Veterans' Services, vocational rehabilitation, housing, justice involvement, referral processes, and other services.
  • A commitment to and interest in the mission of the department: to enhance public safety through community-centered approaches to prevention and intervention as alternatives to policing and the criminal legal system.
  • A commitment to equity, which could include having already attended racial equity trainings.
Benefits - General Full-Time Employees
  • 12-13 paid holidays per year
  • 13 standard work days of vacation per year
  • 13 standard work days of sick leave per year, which accumulates indefinitely; sick leave may be used toward early retirement
  • 2 weeks paid military leave per year
  • Medical, dental, vision, and supplemental life insurance plans
  • State and City retirement plans
  • Short and long term disability plans
  • Paid temporary disability leave for specified conditions
  • City contribution of 13.6% into the N.C. State Retirement System
  • Paid funeral leave
  • Employee Assistance Program - personal and family counseling
  • Paid life insurance equal to annual salary
  • 48 hours for volunteer work each year*
  • 4 hours parental leave each year
  • Workman's Compensation Insurance
  • 457 Deferred Compensation Plans
Benefits - Part-Time (1,000 hours or more per year)
  • 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
  • State retirement plan
Benefits Part-Time (Average 30 hours per week over 12 month period)
  • 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
  • State retirement plan effective first day of the month following date of hire
  • Health insurance effective first day of the month following date of hire
  • Dental and life insurance, after one year of service
  • Pro-rated vacation, pro-rated sick, pro-rated floating holiday, parttime holiday pay (based on scheduled hours for that day) after one year of service

01
Where did you first hear about this opportunity?
  • City of Durham Website
  • Walk in
  • Job fair
  • Employee referral
  • Professional organization ***Please list the organization in "other" box below***
  • Internet posting ***Please list the specific web site in the "other" box below***
  • Craig's List
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • GlassDoor
  • governmentjobs.com
  • Monster.com
  • Indeed.com
  • Employment Security Commission
  • Magazine/Newspaper
  • Other

02
If you listed "other" above please give specific web site, organization, or publication.
03
Please select your highest level of COMPLETED education.
  • Less than a High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC)
  • High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC)
  • Associates Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree
  • Doctoral Degree (PhD, Juris Doctorate)

04
Have you completed courses in emergency medical care?
  • Yes
  • No

05
How many years of related experience as an EMT do you have?
  • No related experience
  • Less than 1 year of related experience
  • 1 year but less than 4 years of related experience
  • 4 years but less than 8 years of related experience
  • 8 or more years of related experience

06
Do you have a valid, unrestricted, North Carolina driver's license? (If you have a valid license from a State other than North Carolina, you must be willing and able to obtain a valid, unrestricted NC driver's license within 60 days of hire).
  • I have a valid, unrestricted NC driver's license.
  • I have a valid license from another State and I am willing to obtain a valid, unrestricted NC driver's license within 60 days.
  • I do not have a valid, unrestricted driver's license.

07
Do you have a certification by the NC Office of Emergency Medical Services (NC OEMS) as an EMT Basic (or higher)?
  • Yes
  • No

08
Are you eligible to function under the auspices of the Durham County Office of Emergency Services, EMS Division, and Medical Director?
  • Yes
  • No

09
Are you able to travel to and from worksite and other locations within Durham?
  • Yes
  • No

10
Are you able to walk/stand up to 75% of any assigned shift?Note: The team will be transported in vans to crisis call locations
  • Yes
  • No

11
Do you have a Crisis Intervention Team certification?
  • Yes
  • No

12
Do you have experience working with Peer Support Specialists or other individuals with lived experiencewith behavioral and mental health, substance use, and/or Intellectual Developmental Disability crises?
  • Yes
  • No

13
How many years of related experience do you have with crisis response ?
  • No related experience
  • Less than 1 year of related experience
  • 1 year but less than 2 years of related experience
  • 2 years but less than 6 years of related experience
  • 6 or more years of related experience

14
How would you rate your experience and knowledge level with Durham health systems and communityresources/services for physical health behavioral and mental health, substance use, IntellectualDevelopmental Disability, family dynamics, sexual/physical abuse, Veterans' Services, vocationalrehabilitation, housing, justice involvement, referral processes, and other services?
  • No experience
  • Beginner level
  • Intermediate level
  • Advanced level
  • Expert level

15
How would you rate your knowledge and experience level with service delivery documentation (includingcounseling/treatment planning), HIPAA standards/confidentiality, utilization review, and data management?
  • No experience
  • Beginner level
  • Intermediate level
  • Advanced level
  • Expert level

16
How would you rate your experience level with crisis response?
  • No experience
  • Beginner level
  • Intermediate level
  • Advanced level
  • Expert level

17
Are you proficient in the Spanish language (speak, read, and write)?
  • Yes
  • No

18
Are you able to lift over 100 lbs occasionally, 50-100 lbs. frequently, or up to 20-50 lbs constantly?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question