LATERAL Firefighter & Firefighter/Paramedic

About the role

West Pierce Fire & Rescue (WPFR) anticipates hiring up to 26 positions, to begin employment in January 2027. Please see the LATERAL Firefighter & Firefighter/Paramedic FAQ on our Career Resources webpage for more information.

Responsibilities

• Perform emergency and non-emergency duties with the legal authority and responsibility to direct and/or perform fire protection activities that are required for and directly concerned with preventing, controlling and extinguishing fires.
• Drive district response vehicles to emergency incidents, non-emergency incidents and during routine duties.
• Deliver/administer medical treatment and transportation to injured and ill patients, as required, in accordance with local, state, and nationally recognized standards.
• Participate in training activities, pre-fire planning, inspections, public education, and other programs that enhance a high state of readiness to respond to all types of emergency situations.
• Attend meetings and training sessions, as required by local, state, and contractual requirements.
• Maintain necessary and accurate records and incident reports.
• Communicate to a culturally diverse community in a tactful and effective manner.

Requirements

• Currently employed as a Firefighter or Firefighter/Paramedic with a minimum of 12 consecutive months of full-time paid service with a municipal fire department, fire district, fire authority, or comparable public fire agency.
• Successful completion of probation with current employer.
• Current National Registry or Washington State EMT or Paramedic certification.
• IFSAC or Pro Board Firefighter I and Firefighter II certifications.
• HazMat Awareness and Operations certifications.
• Ability to obtain Washington State reciprocity/certifications prior to completion of probation.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid driver's license allowing legal driving in the State of Washington.
• Desirable Experience in all of the major function areas of the job description.
• College level education and continuing education opportunities that enhance the candidate's ability to perform essential functions of the job.
• Ability to communicate in language(s), in addition to English.
• The Position Shall Have The Demonstrated Physical Ability To Maintain good physical conditioning and have the ability to carry out physically demanding tasks under dangerous and stressful conditions.
• Move about an emergency scene unencumbered.
• Withstand and work in extreme heat, fire, dusty/smoky conditions, and toxic materials when participating as an active member of the IMS team at the scene of an emergency incident.
• Possess acceptable auditory and visual senses to meet the requirements of the job.
• Meet all of the above demands while wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

Skills

• Ability to adopt quick and reasonable courses of action during emergency operations with due regard to surrounding hazards, circumstances and safety.
• Ability to perform as a pump operator and/or ladder company operator.
• Ability to perform emergency medical services within the scope of their certification level - EMT or Paramedic.
• Ability to carry out general and special assignments in a timely manner that fulfills the mission and needs of the district.
• Ability to communicate using the English language, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work with the general public, co-workers, and related agencies.
• Ability to operate various electronic/digital multimedia equipment and a personal computer with various software applications connected to a networked system.

Benefits

• Longevity Pay: Lateral hire employees shall receive longevity compensation based upon their aggregate qualifying years of full-time paid fire service at the time of employment with West Pierce Fire & Rescue.
• Vacation Accruals: Effective upon successful completion of probation and one (1) year of continuous employment with WPFR, lateral entry employees hired into the suppression division shall accrue vacation leave based on the tier below that corresponds with their aggregate qualifying service (as defined via Longevity Pay notation).

Pay

• Lateral Firefighter/EMT 2026 monthly base salary range is $8,389 to $9,781. Lateral Candidates Shall Be Paid One Pay Grade Below Their Experience. Pay Grade Shall Be No Lower Than 4th Class Nor Higher Than 2nd Class.
• Lateral Firefighter/Paramedic 2026 monthly base salary range is $9,438 to $11,004. $9,438 4th Class (7-12 months) $10,188 3rd Class (13-24 months) $11,004 2nd Class (25-36 months)

Schedule

• The Position Shall Respond to fire incidents, mass casualty incidents, natural disasters and other emergency incidents, serving as an active member of the incident management system (IMS) as assigned by the incident commander, up to and including actively, physically participating in efforts to effectively mitigate the incident.
• Drive district response vehicles to emergency incidents, non-emergency incidents and during routine duties.
• Perform duties at emergency incidents, such as placing equipment, laying and connecting hoses and nozzles, serving as the pump operator and/or ladder operator, raising and climbing ladders, removing persons from danger, using chemical extinguishing agents and other tools and equipment, etc.
• Deliver/administer medical treatment and transportation to injured and ill patients, as required, in accordance with local, state, and nationally recognized standards.
• Participate in training activities, pre-fire planning, inspections, public education, and other programs that enhance a high state of readiness to respond to all types of emergency situations.
• Attend meetings and training sessions, as required by local, state, and contractual requirements.
• Maintain necessary and accurate records and incident reports.
• Communicate to a culturally diverse community in a tactful and effective manner.

Human Resources

• Verification of qualifying service is required as a condition of employment.
• Human Resources will provide details on the verification process at the time of employment offers.
• WPFR pays all costs associated with conditions; successful completion is required by December 4.

Contact Information

• Our primary form of communication is email. It is important to check messages frequently.
• The timeline and date(s) are subject to change without notice.
• We will advise candidates of any changes as quickly as possible via email.
• WPFR does not charge application and/or exam fees.
• There is no cost to participate in this process.