Volunteer Firefighter/EMT

Do you have the right skills and experience for this role Read on to find out, and make your application.

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. 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.

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;

Performs related work as required under direct supervision;

Participates in Community Risk Reduction and community outreach activities; 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.

Fire Suppression

Responds to fire alarms and a variety of emergency calls

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

Uses radio and computer-aided dispatch equipment

Drives motorized apparatus in emergency and non-emergency conditions

Operates fire pumps at proper pressures and flows

Performs heavy rescue operations

Administers first aid to injured persons

Collects pertinent information for patient assessment, including the patient's medical history

Performs water rescues from land and boats

Operates emergency lighting appliances

Identifies and protects flammable or hazardous materials at fire scene

Restores apparatus and equipment to service after use

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

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

Treats a range of injuries requiring emergency care techniques within the scope of an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

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

Stocks and maintains and participates in the inventory of supplies and medical equipment in the vehicle

Participates in medical equipment checks.

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

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.

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;

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 be 18 years old at the time of application.

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.

Application review

Personal History Statement

FCFRD Physical Abilities Test (PAT)

Medical examination

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.