Firefighter and Paramedic Employment and Testing

Thank you for your interest in employment with the Bellingham Fire Department. The following information is provided to answer some of your questions about the firefighter recruitment process.

Minimum Qualifications

Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Applicants must be a minimum of 21 years old at the time of certification of the register.
Must be a high school graduate or have received a GED.
Must pass a police criminal convictions records check with no felony record within the last seven years. Misdemeanor convictions will also be reviewed for the last seven years. A conviction will not necessarily disqualify an applicant, but offenses by their nature and recentness may reveal a lack of specific qualifications for the position.
Must possess EMT certification or acquire within 90 days of employment and maintain for the duration of employment
Must possess or obtain a Washington State Emergency Vehicle Accident Prevention (EVAP) certification within 90 days of initial hire.
Must have a valid Washington State driver’s license and no record of driver’s license suspension or revocation in any state within the last three years.
Must meet minimum medical requirements
Excellent physical condition, including ability to swim and tread water and retrieve a submerged weight.
Must not have smoked or used tobacco products for a minimum of 24 months prior to application.

Recruitment Process

The Bellingham Fire Department is participating in the joint recruitment consortium of Western Washington through Bates Technical College (BTC) to fill vacancies in 2012. The application period will be January 16, 2012 through February 10, 2012. Bates Technical College will be administering the written and physical tests. The written test will be weighted at 40% of a candidates' total score. The physical test is pass/fail. The top 30 scoring candidates will be referred to the Bellingham Fire Department for an Oral Board Interview. The minimum score to pass the Oral Board Interview is 60%. The Oral Board Interview will be weighted at 60% of a candidates' total score. When entry vacancies occur, the top 15 candidates or top 25% of the register will be referred to the Department for a Chief's interview.

Compensation and Benefits

The current salary for the position of firefighter is $4686/month; the full salary range is $4686 – $5945/month. An extensive benefits package is provided including medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage. Employees are subject to the provisions of a union contract.

If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, contact Human Resources. Also visit the Fire Department’s web page.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application/examination process should contact Human Resources.