Firefighter Recruit

Loudoun County Fire and Rescue (LCFR) delivers essential emergency and non-emergency Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) from 20 strategically located stations, responding to more than 53,000 incidents annually. LCFR, as part of the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System (LC-CFRS), provides administrative, operational, and logistical support for the County's 14 volunteer fire and rescue companies, the LC-CFRS Executive Committee, and its governance structure. LC-CFRS is comprised of approximately 902 career employees and 800+ active operational and administrative volunteers. The Department serves a large and diverse population located 30 miles northwest of Washington, DC, providing a full range of emergency and non-emergency services to approximately 440,000 residents within a 520-square mile area.

Loudoun County offers a meaningful career, a competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package. Eligible veterans can use their GI Bill benefits while attending the recruit academy as well as the remainder of their probation period in operations. This institution is approved to offer the GI Bill® educational benefits by the Virginia State Approving Agency. VA benefits are only available for a full, traditional recruit school.

About the role

Loudoun County Fire and Rescue is currently seeking qualified applicants to establish an eligibility pool for the position of Firefighter/EMT. Selected candidates are expected to provide skilled emergency and non-emergency related services, including, but not limited to: fire suppression, basic and advanced pre-hospital emergency medical care, hazardous materials incident response, technical rescue operations, life safety, public education program delivery, and other duties, as assigned.

All candidates will be required to successfully complete a Fire-Rescue Recruit School before assignment to a fire and rescue station. Generally, traditional recruit schools last approximately six (6) to seven (7) months and accelerated recruit schools last approximately 12 weeks, which may be offered based on Department discretion and qualified candidate availability. While in Recruit School, Recruits will be assigned to a 40-hour work week. Upon successful completion of Recruit School and considered minimum staffing, Recruits transition to Probationary Firefighters/EMT’s and will then move to a 48-hour work week. This schedule equates to 24 hours on shift, 48 hours off shift with an assigned “Kelly day” (a regularly scheduled day off at a scheduled interval to ensure a consistent 48-hour average work schedule). Employees’ salaries will remain the same upon transition from a 40-hour schedule to a 48-hour schedule.

Pay

The starting salary of Firefighter (F1), Step-1 is $65,138.75. LCFR's Education Benefit offers additional compensation for candidates who possess a four (4) year degree or higher. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree will start at Step 2 ($68,395.69), and a Master’s Degree at Step 3 ($71,815.47).

Applicants with career fire and rescue experience from Departments with an established recruit training academy will receive year-for-year credit (1 step). Effective 7/1/2026, they are eligible for 3 steps credit. Applicants with career fire and rescue experience from other jurisdictions without recruit training experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants who completed an LC-CFRS Volunteer Fire School Program and are active LC-CFRS Operational Volunteer Members will receive one (1) Step for every two (2) full years of Volunteer Member experience up to 1 step credit. Effective 7/1/2026, applicants will receive up to 3 step credits. Step credits earned for career and volunteer experience may not be combined. Applicants may receive both educational and experience step credits. Total step credits may not exceed placement of Step 8.

ALS Benefit: We are seeking Advanced Life Support (ALS) Providers to join our department. Upon local authorization following successful completion of Recruit School, an Intermediate or Paramedic will become eligible for a $10,000 one-time, lump sum incentive, in addition to an ALS Specialty Pay Adjustment. The current ALS Specialty Pay levels, in addition to base salary, are as follows:

• Advanced (A-EMT) - $7,354.38
• Intermediate - $12,500
• Paramedic - $15,759.38

Schedule

During Recruit School, Recruits will be assigned to a 40-hour work week. Upon successful completion of Recruit School and considered minimum staffing, Probationary Firefighters/EMTs will transition to a 48-hour work week, consisting of 24 hours on shift, 48 hours off shift, with an assigned “Kelly day” (a regularly scheduled day off at a scheduled interval to ensure a consistent 48-hour average work schedule).

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must hold a valid driver’s license.
• Must possess a High School Diploma or GED by time of hire.
• Successful candidates may not use tobacco, nicotine, or vaping products of any kind on or off duty upon hire, and for the duration of their employment with Loudoun County Fire and Rescue.

As part of the selection process, applicants may be disqualified for use of drugs, certain driving violations, or other factors based on selection criteria.

Selection Process

The selection process includes the successful completion of the following:

• Comprehensive Written Examination (online, requiring access to a computer with a camera, microphone, and reliable internet connection).
• Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT).
• Polygraph Examination.
• Comprehensive background check, including NCIC/VCIN criminal history check and fingerprinting.
• Driving record check.
• Interview.
• NFPA 1582 Medical Examination/Substance Abuse Screening.
• LCFR Supplemental Question form.

The number of candidates selected to move through each stage of the process will be based on the number of available vacancies. Valid CPAT certifications will only be accepted once reviewed and vetted by the Wellness Center Manager. Preference will be given to candidates possessing one or more of the following: Virginia Intermediate, Virginia or National Registry Paramedic, Loudoun County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Experience, and/or Military Experience.

The Department may elect to hold an accelerated academy based on the number of applicants who possess all of the following certifications:

• NFPA 472 Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations.
• NFPA 1001 Firefighter 1.
• NFPA 1001 Firefighter 2.
• Virginia or National Registry EMT (or higher).

To show proof of certification(s), candidates must submit Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) certificates (or full VDFP transcript), or certificates showing equivalency through the Pro-Board Fire Service Professional Qualifications System and/or International Fire Service Accreditation Congress. Candidates may submit NFPA 472 Hazardous Materials Operations certificates that do not meet the criteria above for consideration. All certifications must be sent to LCFRHiring@loudoun.gov.