Apply to be a Volunteer Firefighter

Volunteer Firefighter Minimum Requirements:

1. Minimum age of 18 years
2. High School graduate or GED
3. Valid Oregon driver license upon appointment
4. Driving record which meets City requirements
5. Successful completion of background and reference check
6. No felony convictions
7. Certification by a licensed health care professional as able to perform the duties of a firefighter in accordance with NFPA 1580*
8. Ability to perform physical firefighting and rescue tasks in adverse conditions
9. Ability to work cooperatively with other firefighters and supervisors
10. Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
11. Ability to keep calm and work effectively under stressful conditions
12. Ability to communicate using portable and/or mobile radio

*Volunteers who receive a conditional offer are sent to the Department's physician for a physical exam. Expenses are paid by the Department.

How do I apply?

Check for open Volunteer Firefighter recruitments on the City's Job Opportunities page. Applications are only accepted online during an open recruitment.

• Qualified applicants will be invited to take a physical ability test.
• Successful applicants will be given a personal interview.
• Those selected will undergo a background check.
• Those selected will undergo a medical exam (at the Department's expense).
• Successful candidates will be provided with all training and equipment necessary to become a Basic Firefighter.

   

  The number of vacancies at each fire station determines the number of volunteers accepted each year. There is typically a fall academy, which runs the week prior to the start of Oregon State University's fall term. An additional academy is held in the spring if there is a sufficient number of openings and candidates.

  EMT Certification

  In Oregon, the Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic (EMT P) program is a two-year Associate's Degree program. The EMT Basic (EMT B) program is a ten-credit (approximately) course that spans two academic terms.

  If you hold an EMT certification from another state, you may wish to contact the Oregon Department of Human Services at 1-503-731-4011 to ask whether your certification can transfer from that state.

  EMT Classes Offered Locally

  Chemeketa Community College - Basic, Intermediate, and Paramedic programs
  4000 Lancaster Drive, NE
  Salem, OR 97303
  503-399-5000
  www.chemeketa.edu

  Lane Community College - Basic, Intermediate, and Paramedic programs
  4000 East 30th
  Eugene, OR 97405
  541-463-3000
  www.lanecc.edu