Firefighter Trainee

Salary: $21.61 Hourly
Location : Asheville, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2026-01885
Department: Asheville Fire Department
Division: Emergency Response
Opening Date: 07/27/2026
Closing Date: 9/18/2026 5:00 PM Eastern


Summary
Are you ready to start a rewarding and impactful career? The City of Asheville invites you to apply for the position of an entry-level firefighter. This role offers the opportunity to serve your community as a crucial member of a dedicated team, responding to fire emergencies, natural disasters, and medical crises.

As a firefighter, you will engage in:

Emergency Response: Act swiftly and effectively to fire calls, disaster situations, and medical emergencies.

Technical Training: Learn and master firefighting techniques, hazardous materials handling, and emergency medical care through rigorous study and training.

Life-Saving Work: Perform responsible and technical tasks to protect Asheville residents from fires, environmental hazards, and disasters, providing emergency medical treatment and conducting rescue operations.

Your responsibilities will include:

Fire Control and Extinguishment: Apply advanced techniques to manage and extinguish fires.

Medical Assistance: Deliver critical emergency medical care to the sick and injured.

Station Maintenance: Participate in the upkeep of equipment and station quarters to ensure readiness.

Public Interaction: Exhibit tact and courtesy when dealing with the public and those in distress, maintaining a professional demeanor at all times.

This role demands rapid response, strenuous physical exertion, and the ability to make independent judgments in high-pressure situations. Your performance will be evaluated based on your effectiveness in emergency responses and adherence to established procedures.

For more information on the hiring process, including timelines, practice exams, and assessment descriptions, please visit the Asheville Fire Department's website.

Join us in making a difference-apply today to become a part of the Asheville Fire Department.

The City of Asheville is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and persons of all genders and races are encouraged to apply.

Tentative start date is January 4, 2027. The academy lasts from 3-5 months based on certifications.

Academy Pipelines

Certified Firefighter/NC EMT or NREMT/ Technical Rescuer certification: 12 weeks

Certified Firefighter/NC EMT or NREMT: 18 weeks

Certified NC EMT / or NREMT: 18 weeks

No Experience or FF Only: 25 weeks

Candidate Selection Process:

Applicant Physical Ability Testing (APAT) - Testing Sessions:
Week of September 28th (Specific dates to be communicated)

Week of October 5th (Specific dates to be communicated)

Written Testing:

Scheduled test dates (Virtual)

Week of October 5th

Structured Interviews:

October 19th - October 23rd

NFPA Physical:

November 2nd (alt November 3rd)

Start date of January 4, 2027.

Final applicants are subject to the following checks and screenings:

• Pre-Employment Drug Screening: Ensure a drug-free workplace.
• Driving Record Check: Verify safe driving history.
• Background Check: Confirm suitability for the role.

Additionally, final applicants must successfully complete a physical examination per the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1582 guidelines. This comprehensive physical includes tests for hearing, vision, breathing capacity, and cardiology. These examinations require scheduled appointments, and the City's physician or physician assistant must provide final clearance. The exams are conducted at the City's expense after a conditional offer is made but before a final offer of employment.

Fire Academy Training

All successful candidates will attend the City of Asheville Fire Department's Fire Academy as paid Firefighter Trainees for approximately 3-5 months. The training schedule is generally Monday to Friday, typically varying between 7:30 AM and 6:00 PM, though hours may vary due to instructional needs. Upon successful completion of the academy, firefighters will begin 24-hour shift rotations.


Incentives

Education Incentive: Available for candidates with an Associate's Degree or higher.

Language Incentive: Offered to candidates proficient in more than one language who can successfully pass a foreign language competency test.

All applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on Friday, September 18th. This position is non-exempt.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
What You'll Be Doing:

• Fire Response: Respond to fire calls as a firefighter and perform necessary fire suppression tasks.
• Disaster Response: Handle environmental and other disasters involving hazardous materials, such as gas leaks, fuel spills, and chemical emergencies, by taking proper steps to mitigate hazardous situations.
• Emergency Medical Response: Act as an emergency medical technician, perform necessary rescue work, and administer emergency medical care.

Non-Emergency Assistance: Respond to non-emergency calls, such as assisting other emergency medical care providers in moving patients into transportation vehicles and helping disabled persons in their homes when other assistance is inadequate.

• Continuous Training: Participate in a continuous training program to improve competence in all areas related to firefighting functions and meet Federal, State, and Local standards.
• Equipment Maintenance: Assist in the inspection and maintenance of assigned apparatus and equipment, and perform station maintenance.
• Public Education: Actively participate in public fire and life safety education activities, hydrant maintenance, professional development reviews, and any other assigned duties.
• Rescue Operations: Use specialized hand and power tools to rescue victims of fire, disaster, and other emergencies.
• Medical Procedures: Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or defibrillation as necessary.
• Physical Fitness: Maintain an appropriate level of physical fitness for duty.
• Pre-Fire Planning: Participate as a member of a company in pre-fire planning.
• Data Management: Utilize computerized data entry equipment and various word processing, spreadsheet, file maintenance, and/or database programs to enter, store, and retrieve information.
• Traffic Control: Assist with traffic control duties as required.
• Off-Duty Response: Respond on an off-duty basis in the event of a major fire, rescue, hazardous materials, or other emergencies.

Other Duties: Perform related work as required.

Education and Experience
What You Bring:

We know your time is valuable. Applicants who meet the following minimum requirements or have comparable experience and/or education will be considered:

• Graduation from high school (or equivalent) by the start of the Fire Academy.
• Verbal and written communication skills, and reading comprehension skills necessary to successfully complete basic firefighter training and certification.
• Any equivalent combination of training and experience required to perform the essential position functions.

Special Requirements:

• Possession of a valid driver's license.
• Must be at least 18 years of age by the starting date of the academy.
• Obtain the following certifications issued by the State of North Carolina within one (1) year of the date of hire (all courses and tests required will be offered during the academy):
  
  • Firefighter II
  • Hazardous Materials Operations
  • EMT-B
  • Technical Rescuer
• Persons of all genders and races are encouraged to apply.

Benefits:

• Starting Salary $44,940.32 (21.60 hourly) during the academy
• Upon graduation from the academy annual salary is $51,064.52
• AEMT 5% Supplement
• Advanced FF 5% Supplement
• Annual Leave - 12 days per year
• Government Credit Union eligibility
• 401K with up to 6% employer match
• 457B with up to 6% employer match
• Dependent Life Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life Insurance
• Health Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• Medical and Dependent Care
• On-Site Medical Office
• Sick Leave - 12 days per year
• Holiday Leave - 11 days per year
• Sick Leave Sharing Bank Option
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Bereavement Leave
• Military Leave

For City of Asheville employee benefits information, .
About the Asheville Fire Department

The mission of the City of Asheville Fire Department is to protect the lives, property, and environment of all people within Asheville by preventing the occurrence and minimizing the adverse effects of fires, accidents, and all other emergencies. We accomplish this mission with firefighter pride, preparedness, and professionalism, focusing on quality customer service and continuous improvement.

The Asheville Fire Department is an accredited agency, having received its first accreditation status in 2005. Our members dedicate countless hours to examining past, current, and future service levels and internal performances, comparing them to current research and industry best practices to maintain this accreditation. This designation, along with an ISO rating of 1, affirms that our firefighters provide the highest levels of service and professionalism while protecting the lives and property of all people in the city of Asheville.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. The City of Asheville is proud to be a second-chance employer.


Some positions may require a fingerprint-based SBI background check after a conditional offer and before your start date; HR will provide instructions if applicable.

For benefits-eligible positions, explore our full benefits at AshevilleBenefits.com .
About us:

The City of Asheville is dedicated to providing quality service for the residents and visitors of our beautiful city, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. Asheville, NC is a thriving mountain city that has a culture enriched by its diversity.

The City's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment. Applicants will be assured of fair treatment in all aspects of recruitment and selection without regard to a person's age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, genetic information,or disability, except where certain physical and mental requirements are Bona Fide Occupational Qualifications (BFOQ). The City of Asheville is proud to be a second chance employer.

The City of Asheville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
To view our comprehensive benefits package, click
01


Will you be 18 years of age by your first date of work, January 4, 2027?

• Yes
• No

02


Select your highest level of education:

• High School/GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctorate

03


Do you have a valid driver's license?

• I do possess a current, valid driver's license (Standard License)

Required Question