Firefighter - Information Only

Firefighter

Under the immediate supervision of a company officer, works to minimize the effects of natural and manmade disasters by delivering community risk reduction programs and by responding to fire, medical, and technical rescue emergencies.

Examples of duties include actively participating in risk reduction programs and pre-incident analysis, responding to emergencies and working as part of a team to bring various emergencies under control, assisting in maintaining facilities and grounds, fire apparatus, tools, and equipment, actively participating in training classes, drills, and continuing education, ensuring operational readiness of tools, equipment, and apparatus, maintaining physical fitness and mental toughness required to perform effectively as a firefighter, following departmental and City policies, and performing other duties, including some administrative, as directed.

Skills/Ability to include wearing self-contained breathing apparatus, climbing six or more flights of stairs while wearing or carrying 50 pounds of gear and tools/equipment, climbing ladders and operating from heights of at least 100 feet, being comfortable operating in the dark and in confined spaces, in high or low temperatures, in inclement weather, and over uneven terrain, sitting, standing, walking, running, crawling, jogging, crouching, and kneeling for short and long periods of time, hearing and speaking well enough to communicate via telephone, radio, and in person at distances up to 50 feet and over high background noise, stamina to meet physical and mental demands during an extended emergency, reading and interpreting various technical documents, manuals, and trade journals, communicating clearly and concisely, both in writing and speech, functioning as a team player with excellent interpersonal skills, amiably interacting with members of the public, coworkers, and other emergency services agency members, working a rotating shift schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays, occasionally traveling out of town or out of state for several days at a time, obtaining and maintaining a class "B" North Carolina Driver License, passing a pre-employment and annual medical exam adhering to the standards contained in NFPA 1582: Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments, and an annual physical fitness-for-duty test.

Minimum qualifications include a high school diploma or GED equivalent, a state-issued Class "C" driver license, being at least 18 years of age at the time application is submitted, and successfully completing all required pre-hire qualifications.

Training and certifications include becoming a certified firefighter by the North Carolina Fire & Rescue Commission and as an emergency medical technician by the North Carolina Office of EMS. All training required to meet the necessary qualifications of a firefighter/EMT is provided by the Winston-Salem Fire Department and recruits receive salary and benefits during the approximate six-month training academy. One is not required to have any fire or emergency medical experience prior to submitting an application and no preference is given to applicants who do possess prior experience or are already certified. However, individuals who are certified at the time of hire may not have to complete the entire training program. An approximate six-week orientation and evaluation process will be conducted for those already certified and, if acceptable knowledge, skills, and abilities are demonstrated, these individuals may be exempted from the full training regimen. The State of North Carolina grants certification reciprocity for firefighter from both IFSAC and ProBoard states. For information on out-of-state EMT reciprocity, please visit

Supplemental information includes lifting, carrying or moving objects up to 75 lbs, ability to drive departmental vehicles, physically fit enough to carry fire equipment as needed, walk over rough terrain, climb hills, load and unload vehicles, and work outdoors for long periods of time in all types of weather conditions and to safely wear and work in a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) without medical or physical restrictions, ability to pass an annual NFPA 1582-compliant physical and an annual fitness-for-duty test, and residency requirement to maintain principal residence within a 60-mile radius of city hall and within the state or establish principal residence within such areas within 180 days of the effective date of the personnel action.

Additional information includes notification by regular mail and email once a time and date has been set for your Physical Ability Test, subject to a general knowledge written exam upon successful completion of the physical ability test, candidates should be prepared to stay six hours to complete all testing, firefighter trainee salary during the 30 week academy (40 Hour Week) no degree $44,741, associates degree $46,978, bachelor's degree $49,327, certified firefighter salary (56 Hour Week) no degree $46,978, associates degree $49,327, bachelor's degree $51,794, and employee benefits including 401a contribution (employee match not required), bus pass program, education assistance, employee assistance program, employee suggestion program, family and medical leave, flexible spending accounts, group health insurance, group dental insurance, jury duty leave, life/accidental death insurance, long-term care insurance, military leave, paid holidays, promotion from within, retirement/pension plan (State of NC), school leave, shared leave, short-term disability insurance, sick leave, training, vacation leave, and wellness program.

Firefighter

Under the immediate supervision of a company officer, works to minimize the effects of natural and manmade disasters by delivering community risk reduction programs and by responding to fire, medical, and technical rescue emergencies.

Examples of duties include actively participating in risk reduction programs and pre-incident analysis, responding to emergencies and working as part of a team to bring various emergencies under control, assisting in maintaining facilities and grounds, fire apparatus, tools, and equipment, actively participating in training classes, drills, and continuing education, ensuring operational readiness of tools, equipment, and apparatus, maintaining physical fitness and mental toughness required to perform effectively as a firefighter, following departmental and City policies, and performing other duties, including some administrative, as directed.

Skills/Ability to include wearing self-contained breathing apparatus, climbing six or more flights of stairs while wearing or carrying 50 pounds of gear and tools/equipment, climbing ladders and operating from heights of at least 100 feet, being comfortable operating in the dark and in confined spaces, in high or low temperatures, in inclement weather, and over uneven terrain, sitting, standing, walking, running, crawling, jogging, crouching, and kneeling for short and long periods of time, hearing and speaking well enough to communicate via telephone, radio, and in person at distances up to 50 feet and over high background noise, stamina to meet physical and mental demands during an extended emergency, reading and interpreting various technical documents, manuals, and trade journals, communicating clearly and concisely, both in writing and speech, functioning as a team player with excellent interpersonal skills, amiably interacting with members of the public, coworkers, and other emergency services agency members, working a rotating shift schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays, occasionally traveling out of town or out of state for several days at a time, obtaining and maintaining a class "B" North Carolina Driver License, passing a pre-employment and annual medical exam adhering to the standards contained in NFPA 1582: Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments, and an annual physical fitness-for-duty test.

Minimum qualifications include a high school diploma or GED equivalent, a state-issued Class "C" driver license, being at least 18 years of age at the time application is submitted, and successfully completing all required pre-hire qualifications.

Training and certifications include becoming a certified firefighter by the North Carolina Fire & Rescue Commission and as an emergency medical technician by the North Carolina Office of EMS. All training required to meet the necessary qualifications of a firefighter/EMT is provided by the Winston-Salem Fire Department and recruits receive salary and benefits during the approximate six-month training academy. One is not required to have any fire or emergency medical experience prior to submitting an application and no preference is given to applicants who do possess prior experience or are already certified. However, individuals who are certified at the time of hire may not have to complete the entire training program. An approximate six-week orientation and evaluation process will be conducted for those already certified and, if acceptable knowledge, skills, and abilities are demonstrated, these individuals may be exempted from the full training regimen. The State of North Carolina grants certification reciprocity for firefighter from both IFSAC and ProBoard states. For information on out-of-state EMT reciprocity, please visit

Supplemental information includes lifting, carrying or moving objects up to 75 lbs, ability to drive departmental vehicles, physically fit enough to carry fire equipment as needed, walk over rough terrain, climb hills, load and unload vehicles, and work outdoors for long periods of time in all types of weather conditions and to safely wear and work in a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) without medical or physical restrictions, ability to pass an annual NFPA 1582-compliant physical and an annual fitness-for-duty test, and residency requirement to maintain principal residence within a 60-mile radius of city hall and within the state or establish principal residence within such areas within 180 days of the effective date of the personnel action.

Additional information includes notification by regular mail and email once a time and date has been set for your Physical Ability Test, subject to a general knowledge written exam upon successful completion of the physical ability test, candidates should be prepared to stay six hours to complete all testing, firefighter trainee salary during the 30 week academy (40 Hour Week) no degree $44,741, associates degree $46,978, bachelor's degree $49,327, certified firefighter salary (56 Hour Week) no degree $46,978, associates degree $49,327, bachelor's degree $51,794, and employee benefits including 401a contribution (employee match not required), bus pass program, education assistance, employee assistance program, employee suggestion program, family and medical leave, flexible spending accounts, group health insurance, group dental insurance, jury duty leave, life/accidental death insurance, long-term care insurance, military leave, paid holidays, promotion from within, retirement/pension plan (State of NC), school leave, shared leave, short-term disability insurance, sick leave, training, vacation leave, and wellness program.

• 

• Government Careers