Entry Firefighter and Entry Firefighter/Paramedic (NTN FireTeam Testing Window Open)

Firefighter

The City of Bellingham has opened the Entry Firefighter NTN FireTeam Testing window for the January 2027 Academy. Test today through NTN to start the process of joining the Bellingham Fire Department and supporting our mission of helping people every day!

Firefighters provide emergency assistance and protective services to citizens. They are trained and equipped to protect life and property threatened by disaster, fire, explosion, hazardous materials, illness, accidents and other hazards. Activities include emergency prevention, emergency and non-emergency response, fire code enforcement, building inspections, training and drill and maintenance of apparatus, equipment, fire station and grounds. They perform a wide range of emergency work under adverse environmental and strenuous physical conditions. There is frequent potential for exposure to toxic chemicals, extreme heat, and infectious disease which require the use of protective equipment such as heat resistant clothing, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), and medical masks, gloves and gowns.

Firefighters may be required to drive fire apparatus or medical units and perform special firefighting, pre-hospital medical care, rescue work or other skills acquired by work experience and specialized training programs. Firefighters are subject to shift work and off-duty recall for major emergencies.

Starting 2026 wages for Firefighter: Entry Firefighter - $8,012/mo - $10,164/mo. Additional monthly premiums may be applied per assignment. Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) 106 Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy.

The City of Bellingham participates in the National Testing Network's Fee Waiver Program. Please contact NTN Candidate Support for more information. To learn more about the Bellingham Fire Department and the hiring process, please visit our website at Join Our Team - City of Bellingham.

Essential functions include responding to fires and other emergencies, providing basic and/or advanced life support medical assistance, maintaining contact with communications center and Department, driving fire apparatus, conducting inspection of buildings for possible hazards, participating in the development and delivery of emergency prevention programs, responding to various service calls, participating in company and battalion training program and drill exercises, testing facility, equipment, apparatus and fire protection systems, and performing general and preventative maintenance on apparatus, equipment and facilities.

Additional work performed includes performing administrative and technical support activities for Fire Administration, preparing and maintaining reports and records, and performing other related duties as assigned.

The work environment includes 24-hour shift work including weekends and holidays. Work is performed at fire stations, on various apparatus, on the drill ground and at different emergency scenes. Performance of hazardous tasks under emergency conditions may require strenuous exertion in environments with limited visibility, exposure to hazardous or toxic chemicals and gases, extremes in temperature, cramped surroundings, exposed heights and in and around water. Firefighters also work with citizens experiencing a wide range of emotions as a result of an emergency.

Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job, including carrying hose bundle of approximately 50 pounds and don personal protection and firefighting equipment weighing approximately 70 pounds to the scene of an emergency, laying and operating hose lines, stabilizing and lifting patients with backboard and cot, carrying, placing and extending ladders in training and in emergencies, operating power equipment such as a chain saw, portable generator, hydraulic jaws, smoke ejector, etc., setting up and operating master streams and aerial ladder pipes, and while wearing protective clothing, performing heavy labor such as chopping, shoveling, moving furniture, equipment and merchandise.

Entry: Must have received a high school diploma or G. E. D. Candidates must not have smoked tobacco products for a minimum of 24 months prior to application to be considered for employment as a firefighter.

All Entry Firefighter Candidates must meet the following requirements: Must be 21 years of age. Must be a U. S. citizen, deferred action for childhood arrivals recipient, or a registered permanent resident able to work in the United States. Successful completion of Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). Employment contingent upon passing a pre-employment drug test, passing a medical evaluation, passing a swim test, demonstrating the ability to swim at a distance, tread water, and retrieve a submerged weight, passing a criminal convictions check, child and adult abuse records check, and local background check with no felony convictions within the last seven years. Misdemeanor convictions will also be reviewed. A misdemeanor conviction will not necessarily disqualify an applicant but offenses within the last seven years may, by their nature and recentness, reveal a lack of specific qualifications for the position. Valid Washington State driver's license and good driving record. Candidates must submit a three-year driving abstract prior to hire. No record of driver's license suspension or revocation in any state within the last three years. Must possess or obtain a Washington State Emergency Vehicle Accident Prevention (EVAP) certification within 90 days of initial hire. Must possess Washington State EMT certification or acquire within one year of employment and maintain for the duration of employment. Willingness and ability to work at considerable heights (up to 100 feet) on a ladder. Certification as a paramedic in Washington State with Whatcom County MPD approval is required to provide advanced life support services.

Step 1: Applicants interested in this position must complete the written exam (FireTEAM) testing through National Testing Network. Please visit the National Testing Network website for information regarding the testing process. In addition, a current and valid CPAT certification is required. All written testing must be completed by September 23, 2026. Candidates will be notified of their results on or around October 1, 2026. Step 2: All candidates with a combined score of 80.00% that also achieve the following City of Bellingham cutoff scores for each component of the NTN written test will be invited to participate in 8-minute speed interviews tentatively scheduled for October 12-16, 2026. Speed Interviews will be conducted virtually. The speed interviews are pass/fail. NTN Test cutoff scores set by City of Bellingham are: Human Relations - 70%; Mechanical - 60%; Math - 70%; Reading -80%. Additionally, candidates must also achieve a combined average score of 80%. Step 3: All passing candidates from speed interviews will be invited to participate in oral board interviews tentatively scheduled for November 9-18, 2026. If the volume of candidates requires additional days, November 19-20 may be added. Oral Board Interviews will be conducted in person. At the time of invitation for oral boards, applicants will be required to complete a City of Bellingham application and submit proof of CPAT. Candidates with National Registry Paramedic Certifications must be attached, with no exceptions. Candidates must achieve a 60% on the oral board to pass. Step 4: Candidates will be placed on a ranked eligibility register based on their scores achieved on NTN Written Exam (25%) and the Oral Board Interviews (75%), plus Veteran's preference. Final scores will be posted around November 23, 2026. Step 5: The most qualified candidates will be invited to a Chief's Interview scheduled for the week of November 30, 2026. Candidates must appear in person to participate in the Chief's Interviews. Step 6: Conditional offers of employment will be issued to the most qualified applicants and background and reference checks will begin shortly following Chief's Interviews. Candidates will be required to participate in pre-employment screenings, including a medical exam and swim test, in Bellingham sometime between December 3 - December 31, 2026. Candidates will not be required to stay in Bellingham for the full duration of that time period but must be available to complete the medical exam and swim test in Bellingham during that period. Step 7: January 19, 2027 - Successful candidates will begin Firefighter Recruit Academy. The City of Bellingham anticipates hiring up to 12 Firefighters (Entry/Lateral) for the January 2027 Academy. This recruitment process will create a Civil Service eligibility register that will be used to fill current and future vacancies as they become available. Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers. Equal Opportunity: Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment. Fair Hiring Practices The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment. The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made. The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual