Fire Department · Career
Forsyth County Fire Department
Cumming, GA · Forsyth County
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Department careers page ↗Forsyth County Fire Department protects one of Georgia's fast-growing counties in the north-Atlanta metro area, serving a population well over a quarter-million across roughly 225 square miles from a network of stations organized into two battalions covering the northern and southern halves of the county.
The department runs a combined fire and EMS operation: firefighters are cross-trained and licensed at the Advanced EMT or Paramedic level, and the agency emphasizes modern apparatus and equipment, competitive pay, and specialty-team opportunities.
Forsyth County hires in two lanes. Recruits with no prior fire/EMS background go through a paid, roughly 38-week academy that splits EMT-A and firefighter training, while certified firefighters from similarly sized departments can enter laterally and earn credit toward promotion for prior service.
Forsyth County recruits both entry-level candidates and experienced laterals. Entry-level applicants apply as Firefighter Recruits, are paid a full salary during the ~38-week academy, and graduate as Firefighter/AEMT or Firefighter/Paramedic. Experienced firefighters holding Georgia EMT-Intermediate (or National Registry Advanced) plus IFSAC/NPQ Firefighter I & II and at least two years in a similarly sized department can apply for the lateral track, which skips the written exam and grants promotion credit for prior service.
Applications and required documents are submitted through the county's GovernmentJobs portal, and questions go to the Employment Services office. Reach recruitment at recruitment@forsythco.com or (770) 781-3088.
Requirements
- Minimum 18 years old
- High school diploma or G.E.D.
- Valid driver's license (Georgia, or obtainable within 30 days)
- U.S. work authorization (no sponsorship provided)
- Birth certificate or U.S. Passport
- Lateral track: Georgia EMT-Intermediate certification (or National Registry EMT-Advanced if out-of-state)
- Lateral track: IFSAC/NPQ Firefighter I and II certification
- Lateral track: active firefighter with a minimum of 2 years in a similarly-sized department
Hiring process
- Online application with required documents
- Cognitive exam (recruit track; no written exam for laterals)
- Physical agility test
- Oral interview
- Personal history questionnaire
- Background and reference check
- Conditional job offer
- Deception detection exam
- Psychological evaluation
- Medical exam and drug screen
- Final job offer
Benefits
Competitive salary with available overtime and holiday pay at 1.5x hourly rate; 15% 401(k) match and 457 plans for vested employees; comprehensive health and financial benefits; advancement and educational opportunities; modern equipment and apparatus.
Recruits without prior experience complete a paid academy of roughly 38 weeks split between EMT-A and firefighter training, attending Monday-Friday 7:00am-3:30pm, and graduate as Firefighter/AEMT or Firefighter/Paramedic.
Do I need firefighter or EMS experience to apply?
No. Forsyth County hires Firefighter Recruits with no prior fire/EMS experience and trains them in a paid academy. Experienced firefighters can instead apply through the lateral track.
What are the minimum requirements to become a Forsyth County firefighter?
You must be at least 18, have a high school diploma or GED, hold a valid driver's license (or obtain a Georgia one within 30 days), be authorized to work in the U.S., and provide a birth certificate or U.S. passport.
How long is the fire academy and is it paid?
Recruits complete a roughly 38-week academy split between EMT-A and firefighter training, attending Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 3:30pm, and are paid a full recruit salary ($47,856/yr per the 2024 bulletin) during training.
Does Forsyth County accept lateral firefighters?
Yes. Firefighters with Georgia EMT-Intermediate (or National Registry Advanced) certification, IFSAC/NPQ Firefighter I & II, and at least two years in a similarly sized department can apply laterally. The lateral process skips the written exam, and every 2 months of prior service earns 1 month of credit toward promotion, up to 36 months.
What is the work schedule?
After training, firefighters work a 24-hour on / 48-hour off shift rotation, roughly 10 shifts per month.
How do I apply?
Apply online through the county's GovernmentJobs portal and submit the required documents. Questions can go to recruitment@forsythco.com or (770) 781-3088, or in person at the Employment Services Office at 110 East Main Street, Suite 230, Cumming, GA 30040.
Past postings, kept for reference. These are no longer accepting applications.