What We Look For

Qualifications 

Entry Level Firefighters: 

  • 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 the following:
    • Employment contingent upon passing a pre-employment drug test. (This position is considered a safety sensitive position; therefore, the pre-employment drug test includes testing for marijuana. Positive test results will exclude an applicant from being hired)
    • 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.

Lateral Firefighters: 

  • Must meet all entry-level requirements. 
  • Two years of full-time, paid experience as a structural firefighter with an agency responsible for residential and commercial fire responses, at least one year of which must have been within the last three years. 
  • Graduate of a recruit academy and/or National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001 Firefighter I certification.  Documentation of completion or certification required. 
  • Must possess Washington State EMT certification or have ability to obtain within 90 days of hire. 

Desire to Serve 

Our fundamental duty is to serve the community, including the public, our community partners, and coworkers. This means following up, taking personal responsibility and maintaining clear communication. It means taking action for customers, addressing their underlying needs not just their current symptoms, and using a long-term perspective to provide them the best care today and into the future. 

Teamwork and Cooperation 

We are able to work cooperatively with diverse teams, work groups and across the organization to achieve goals. We express positive expectations of team, solicit input, encourage others, and build team spirit. Compassion is important not only in the way we interact with the public, but in the way we interact with each other, even when under pressure. 

Results 

We strive for a standard of excellence. A standard of excellence may be regarding one’s own past performance, an objective measure, challenging goals that have been set, or even improving or surpassing what has already been done. While upholding the standards of our profession, we continually search for new and improved methods and share knowledge and skills with our contemporaries and successors. We tirelessly work to improve and meet goals. We value firefighters who can make cost-benefit analysis and take calculated risks. 

Standards 

Our work requires us to show up for our community as our best selves so we place a high value on physical, mental and emotional health. We expect our members to be able to complete a challenging academic and physical training program in the recruit academy and to maintain high standards for training, continuing education, and personal physical fitness. 

Diversity 

We work with people from all walks of life. In order to best serve our community, the Bellingham Fire Department aims to foster an environment that celebrates the diversity and value of each person within our department and the community we serve. In order to do this, we practice these core values:

  • Embrace cultural understanding and acceptance of each other.   
  • Be an organization that promotes ethical accountability.  
  • Provide a safe environment for all members to be heard and seen.  
  • Promoting positive and productive communication.  
  • Supporting members and giving grace while learning is taking place.  
  • Be a resource for members of the department.  
  • Continuing to learn and evolve throughout your career in public service.   

Firefighter must possess physical qualities of strength, endurance, stamina, coordination and dexterity. Firefighters are exposed to extreme heat, smoke and gases. To ensure personal safety in these conditions, it is important to maintain a high level of physical health and fitness. 

  • Carry and advance charged fire hoses 
  • Break down doors with an axe/Halligan 
  • Lift and carry victims; descend ladders with victims 
  • Lift and climb/descend ladders 
  • Perform CPR, dress wounds, and apply bandages 
  • Climb stairs with equipment weighing up to 70 pounds. 
  • Walk on roof tops and vent roofs using a chain saw or axe 
  • Breach walls & ceilings to overhaul burned buildings. 
  • Visually determine fire status 
  • Assess on-scene safety and hazards 
  • Assess patient conditions
  • Hear calls for help; identify fire noise, etc. 
  • Operate power tools and extrication equipment 
  • Tie knots 
  • Stoop, crawl, crouch, and kneel in confined spaces 
  • Reach, twist, bend, and lift under emergency conditions. 
  • All of the above may be performed wearing heavy and restrictive protective clothing/gear. 

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 (rage, grief, confusion, etc.) as a result of an emergency.

There is frequent potential for exposure to toxic chemicals, extreme heat, and infectious disease which require the use of protective equipment.

Shifts are from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Firefighters are on duty 1 day (24 hours), then off duty for 2 days (48 hours), followed by 1 day on duty, 4 days (96 hours) off. Then the cycle repeats.  

While on duty, firefighters live and sleep at the station. Crews train together, cook and eat together and sometimes workout together. 

The following are insights and recommendations from Bellingham Fire Department peer fitness trainers that may benefit anyone interested in the fire service. They are not meant to replace medical advice or recommendations from a doctor. As always, before starting any fitness program, consult with your doctor. 

Firefighting is characterized by intervals of very high intensity followed by brief periods of rest. Most efforts will be 15-30 minutes, depending on the level of exertion.  

Firefighters lift heavy, asymmetric loads, carry and drag people with and without assistance, throw ladders from the top of your shoulder, and march up flights of stairs laden with hose, gear, and hand tools. 

  • Stamina: Recruits should expect 4 consecutive 10-hour days that include a mix of classroom instruction, fitness training, field instruction, and drills.  
  • Recovery: It’s critical that you can recover quickly and intentionally between efforts, and that you know how to pace yourself. Your ability to recover from training evolutions will be paramount, throughout the day, week, and over the course of months. 
  • Unusual Demands: Firefighters need to know how to safely pull or lift without allowing a heavy load to twist or exert force on their body unexpectedly. Some firefighting tasks required include: 
    • Crawling through confined spaces 
    • Knee walking or sliding across floors 
    • Climbing ladders while carrying heavy equipment 
    • Descending ladders with victims 
    • Climbing over windowsills 
    • Advancing heavy hose lines horizontally and vertically 
    • Using power tools on pitched roofs 
    • Forcing doors with prying and striking tools 
    • Moving heavy victims out of structures 
    • Climbing flights of stairs while wearing and carrying gear up to 80 lb. 
  • Don’t Get Hurt: Warm up, stretch and rest when you need to. Listen to your body. 

About The Job

About The Process

What We Look For

Salary & Benefits

Why BFD

FAQs

Current Job Openings

Resources

Home > Government > Departments > Fire Department > Join Our Team

Our public calendar is being upgraded and may be unavailable for periods of time on Friday, Jun 19.

Secret Link