Fire Department · Combination
Ketchum Fire District
Ketchum, ID · Blaine County
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗Ketchum Fire District protects the resort community of Ketchum in central Idaho's Wood River Valley, providing fire protection, emergency medical services, rescue, all-hazard response, and public education. It operates as a combination department, blending full-time career firefighters with a paid-on-call volunteer force.
Because of the district's mountain-resort setting, firefighters are cross-trained across a wide range of disciplines, including structure fire, wildland fire, backcountry rescue, HazMat, and emergency medical response.
The district emphasizes open governance and transparency, publishing its agendas and documents publicly, and it grows much of its career staff from within its volunteer ranks.
MissionPreserve and enhance the quality of life for its citizens and visitors.
Full-time firefighters work a 48/96-hour shift rotation on a three-platoon system and must be cross-trained in EMS, structure fire, wildland fire, backcountry rescue, HazMat, and all-hazard response. Current openings are posted on the district's CivicEngage jobs page, and candidates can subscribe to job-posting notifications to be alerted when positions open.
The district also recruits paid-on-call volunteer firefighters on an ongoing basis. Prospective volunteers visit Station 1 to speak with on-duty crews and complete an application, then enroll in the Idaho State Certified Essentials of Firefighting class before serving a one-year probationary period. Career firefighters are often selected from the volunteer staff, so the paid-on-call path is a common route into a full-time role.
Requirements
- Cross-trained (or willing to train) in EMS, structure fire, wildland fire, backcountry rescue, HazMat, and all-hazard response
- Paid-on-call applicants must complete the Idaho State Certified Essentials of Firefighting class (110 hours)
Hiring process
- Check current openings on the district's jobs page and apply, or subscribe to job-posting notifications
- For paid-on-call: visit Station 1 (107 Saddle Road) to speak with on-duty firefighters and complete an application on-site
- Enroll in and complete the Idaho State Certified Essentials of Firefighting class (110 hours, held in the Wood River Valley)
- Receive a pager and probationary firefighter designation
- Complete a one-year probationary period with additional training
Paid-on-call members complete the Idaho State Certified Essentials of Firefighting class (110 hours), held locally in the Wood River Valley.
What schedule do full-time firefighters work?
Full-time firefighters work a 48/96-hour shift rotation on a three-platoon system.
How do I apply for a career firefighter position?
Current openings are posted on the district's jobs page. When no positions are listed, you can subscribe to job-posting notifications to be alerted when openings become available. For questions, call 208-726-7805 (ext. 4) or email admin@ketchumfiredistrict.org.
How do I become a paid-on-call volunteer firefighter?
Visit Station 1 at 107 Saddle Road to speak with on-duty firefighters and complete an application, then enroll in the Idaho State Certified Essentials of Firefighting class (110 hours). After completing it you receive a pager and probationary firefighter status, followed by a one-year probationary period.
What training is required to join?
Paid-on-call members must complete the Idaho State Certified Essentials of Firefighting class, a 110-hour course held in the Wood River Valley. Members can later pursue EMT, Fire Engineer, or specialty-team credentials such as the Backcountry Rescue Team.
Can volunteers become full-time firefighters?
Yes. The district states that career firefighters are often selected from its volunteer staff, making the paid-on-call role a common path to a full-time position.
What skills do firefighters need here?
Firefighters are cross-trained across EMS, structure fire, wildland fire, backcountry rescue, HazMat, and all-hazard response to match the demands of the mountain-resort environment.