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Volunteer Firefighter Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Volunteer with Us! EveryMind is not just a name; it's a catalyst for change. We believe in the inherent value and potential of every individual, every mind. With a commitment to the building blocks ...

Overview LifeWise Academy is seeking volunteers to assist children in their LifeWise classes. LifeWise Academy is a Bible-based character education program that exists to reach public school students ...

Whether your motivation is to accrue volunteer hours for college applications, for a National Honor Society membership, or simply because you believe that giving back to the world is important, we ...

Responsive recruiter THIS IS AN UNPAID VOLUNTEER APPLICATION Search our job site if you are wanting the regular paid job application. Benefits/Perks: * No late nights or early mornings * Flexible ...

This vacancy is for Student Volunteer Internship for Spring 2026, Summer 2026 and Fall 2026. Qualifications:In addition to the Key Requirements listed in this vacancy announcement, the Student ...

Volunteer Specialist

Washington, DC · On-site

$24.03 - $26.44/hr

Job Type Full-time Description Volunteer Specialist Washington, DC Hybrid $24.03 - $26.44 Washington Post Top Workplace Do you have a passion for working with families and individuals in need of ...

Showing results 41-60

Volunteer Firefighter information

See Reston, VA salary details

$9

$20

$28

How much do volunteer firefighter jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for volunteer firefighter in Reston, VA is $20.01, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.78 and $22.26 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a volunteer firefighter?

Volunteer firefighters are individuals who offer their time and skills without pay to help protect their communities from fires and other emergencies. They undergo training and respond to emergency calls alongside or in support of full-time firefighters. In addition to fighting fires, volunteer firefighters often assist with rescue operations, medical emergencies, and public safety education. Their dedication is essential, especially in rural or smaller communities where full-time fire departments may not be available.

What does a volunteer firefighter do?

A volunteer firefighter serves their community, either with a volunteer company or alongside career firefighters and first responders. As a volunteer firefighter, you respond to a variety of emergency situations, such as natural disasters, fires, and medical emergencies. Your responsibilities may also include assisting with rescue missions, restocking supplies, cleaning the fire trucks, and answering emergency calls. You need excellent communication skills and the ability to follow orders to serve as a volunteer firefighter.

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

To thrive as a Volunteer Firefighter, you need physical fitness, basic firefighting training, and often completion of certification courses such as Firefighter I or CPR. Familiarity with firefighting equipment, emergency communication systems, and rescue tools is typically required. Strong teamwork, resilience under pressure, and a commitment to community service are crucial soft skills for this role. These skills ensure effective emergency response, personal safety, and the ability to protect lives and property in high-stress situations.

What are some common challenges volunteer firefighters face when balancing firefighting duties with other personal or professional commitments?

Volunteer Firefighters often juggle their firefighting responsibilities with full-time jobs, family commitments, and personal obligations. This role can require responding to emergency calls at unpredictable hours, which may interrupt daily routines or planned activities. Time management and strong communication with both the fire department and personal networks are crucial for maintaining this balance. Additionally, ongoing training and community events may add to the time commitment, but many departments offer flexible scheduling and support to help volunteers succeed.

What is the difference between Volunteer Firefighter vs Firefighter?

AspectVolunteer FirefighterFirefighter
Required CertificationsBasic firefighting training, CPR, first aidAdvanced firefighting certifications, EMT/paramedic license often required
Work EnvironmentCommunity-based, often part-time, rural or suburban areasFull-time, urban or suburban fire departments
Employer & Industry UsageVolunteer fire departments, local governmentPaid fire departments, municipal agencies
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding volunteer roles, training, and responsibilitiesFull-time career options, qualifications, and duties

Volunteer Firefighters typically serve part-time in community-based departments with basic training, while Firefighters are full-time professionals with advanced certifications working in urban or suburban settings. Both roles are vital for emergency response but differ mainly in commitment level, training, and employment status.

Can I be a volunteer firefighter with no experience?

Yes, many volunteer fire departments accept individuals with no prior experience, as training is provided on-site. Volunteers typically complete basic firefighting and emergency response courses and must meet age and health requirements before participating in firefighting activities.

Do volunteer firefighters ever get paid?

Volunteer firefighters typically do not receive a salary for their service, as their role is based on community service and volunteering. However, they may be reimbursed for expenses or receive stipends for training or on-call duties, depending on the department's policies.

How to get started as a volunteer firefighter?

To become a volunteer firefighter, you typically need to meet age requirements, pass a physical fitness test, complete firefighter training courses, and obtain necessary certifications such as CPR and first aid. You should contact your local fire department or volunteer organization to learn about specific application processes and scheduling commitments.

Is becoming a volunteer firefighter worth it?

Volunteer firefighters play a crucial role in emergency response, gaining skills in firefighting, rescue operations, and teamwork. The position often involves irregular hours and physical demands but can provide valuable experience, community service, and personal fulfillment without a full-time commitment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Firefighter jobs in Reston, VA?

The most popular types of Firefighter jobs in Reston, VA are:

What job categories do people searching Volunteer Firefighter jobs in Reston, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Volunteer Firefighter jobs in Reston, VA are:

What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Volunteer Firefighter jobs?

Cities near Reston, VA with the most Volunteer Firefighter job openings:

Infographic showing various Volunteer Firefighter job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, and 15% Part Time. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,612 per year, or $20 per hour.

Firefighter/Medic (Firefighter/Paramedic)

Fairfax County, VA

Fairfax, VA • On-site

$78K - $124K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago


Fairfax County rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 68 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

345th of 855 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Salary : $78,143.94 - $124,021.04 Annually
Location : FIRE AND RESCUE ACADEMY, 4600 WEST OX ROAD, FAIRFAX (EJ06), VA
Job Type: FT Salary W BN
Job Number: 26-00002
Department: Fire & Rescue
Opening Date: 01/03/2026
Closing Date: 12/11/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: F18
Posting Type: Open to General Public
Job Announcement
One of the most Dynamic Counties in the Nation
$10,000 Sign-on BONUS*
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 DepartmentThe 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:
  • Conducts patient assessment (e.g., evaluates the respiratory, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems)
  • Provides basic and advanced emergency medical care to stabilize the condition of the critically ill or injured prior to transport to a medical facility

  • Confers with the supervising physician or hospital via radio or telephone, providing the patient's medical history and condition.
  • Administers medication via intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraosseous, or sublingual routes
  • Administers advanced emergency medical procedures (e.g., inserting airways, interpreting, and treating cardiac arrhythmias, performing defibrillation, electronic pacing)
  • Participates in multi-disciplinary cutting-edge training to prepare for tasks such as tactical emergency casualty care (TECC) and Field-Available Component Transfusion Response (FACT*R)
  • 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
  • Drives emergency apparatus, including, but not limited to transport units, engines, trucks, rescue squads, and tankers
  • Performs related work as required under direct supervision
  • Participate in Community Risk Reduction and Community Outreach activities
  • Work as part of a team and embody the department's

Note: Following the successful completion of the recruit school, incumbents will serve a 12-month probationary period. During their probationary period, they shall complete an ALS internship to become FCFRD-authorized ALS providers. The FCFRD also provides continuing education to personnel with paramedic certification during and following the probationary period. Following successful completion of ALS internship, paramedics are eligible for ALS incentive pay ($6,948) and additional ALS riding pay of $2-3/hour depending on apparatus assigned.
If unsuccessful in completing the ALS internship, candidates will be moved to a firefighter position, and their pay will be reduced by two steps.
Learn more about the by visiting our website, and by following us on , , , and our
* Effective 7/1/2023, this position includes a signing bonus for fully qualified new county employees in the amount of $10,000.
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)
Advanced Life Support
  • Serves as the ALS provider on an Engine, Advanced Life Support Unit (ALSU), Paramedic Training Unit (PTU) or other apparatus as assigned
  • May serve as crew leader (Lead) on a Basic Life Support Unit (BLSU) or Advanced Life Support Unit (ALSU) in providing patient care
  • Provides advanced emergency medical care to stabilize the condition of the critically ill or injured prior to transport to a medical facility
  • Conducts patient assessment (e.g., evaluates the respiratory, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems)
  • Confers with the supervising physician or hospital via radio or telephone, providing the patient's medical history and condition
  • Performs differential diagnosis, initiates treatment, and determines subsequent treatment based on patient reactions, responses, and condition
  • Administers medication intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, endotracheally, interosseously, or sublingually
  • Administers advanced emergency medical procedures (e.g., creating airways, interpreting, and treating cardiac arrhythmias, performing defibrillation, electronic pacing, cardioversion, and/or electro-cartographic monitoring)
  • Treats general medical emergencies (e.g., drug overdoses, seizures, diabetic reactions) and trauma-induced wounds
  • Performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation
  • Carries out emergency childbirth procedures
  • Notifies authorities of suspicion of child abuse
  • Sets priorities in a multiple casualty situation
  • Participates in multiple casualty and other types of drills within the station and battalion
  • Ensures that the ALSU is maintained ready to respond to emergency calls
  • Participates in the inventory of medications with another ALS or BLS provider
  • Keeps abreast of changes in techniques, procedures, equipment, and regulations
  • Operates the mobile display terminal (MDT) to mark the status of the unit, review premise history, etc.
  • Completes the Electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR) utilizing the ePCR handheld device
  • Assists in the extrication of entrapped victims, using prescribed techniques
In Each Functional Area
  • Attends training sessions, participates in drills, and participates in the physical fitness program
  • Participates in firefighting, rescue, and EMS duties
  • 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

Employment Standards
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
(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.
  • Certified as a Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services EMT-P and/or a National Registry Paramedic at the time of application.
Following successful completion of Fire and Rescue recruit training:
  • Certification in Hazardous Materials Operations-Mission specific in accordance with Fairfax County training standards;
  • Certification in the Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) in accordance with Fairfax County training standards;
  • Certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) Basic Life Support Provider;
  • Certification as a full Advanced Life Support provider in Fairfax County and in full accordance with all current County training standards;
  • 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

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