Fire Department · Combination
Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service
Gaithersburg, MD · Montgomery County
“Igniting Excellence: Advancing the Fire Service Through Continuous Learning”
one of the largest combination fire-rescue agencies in the nation
Apply for a Firefighter/Rescuer I position with Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service by July 11, 2026. Salary: $68,469–$103,472 annually. EMT certification preferred.
Earn $67,672–$102,385 annually as a High School Cadet Instructor at MCFRS. Continuous hiring with excellent benefits including parental leave and tuition assistance.
Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service (MCFRS) protects the Maryland suburbs north and west of Washington, D.C., covering roughly 500 square miles and a population of more than one million. It operates as a combination system, blending career and volunteer personnel into one of the largest such agencies in the country.
The department fields nearly 2,700 certified career and volunteer responders and handles more than 120,000 emergency calls a year on an annual budget of roughly $267 million. MCFRS is nationally recognized for its fire-based EMS delivery, including a coordinated STEMI cardiac-care program and the MCNIC3 initiative that targets frequent 911 users with community-based care coordination.
MCFRS holds accredited status from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International and has received the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 'Seal of Excellence,' having been the first organization to institute all 16 NFFF Life-Safety Initiatives.
Missiondedicated to exceptional service, community safety, and transparency
MCFRS hires career firefighters through numbered recruit classes and also welcomes volunteer members (via joinfirerescue.com) and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) participants. Career recruiting runs on defined application windows tied to upcoming academy classes.
As of this profile, MCFRS is accepting applications for Recruit Class 61, tentatively beginning June 2027, with an application deadline of July 10, 2026. Prospective candidates can review the department's Hiring Process, Salary & Benefits, Training Academy, and FAQ sections and subscribe to recruitment email updates through the Career Recruiting page.
Career firefighters are hired into numbered recruit classes; recruitment is currently open for Recruit Class 61, tentatively beginning June 2027.
Is Montgomery County Fire & Rescue currently hiring firefighters?
Yes. MCFRS is accepting applications for Recruit Class 61, which is tentatively scheduled to begin in June 2027. The application deadline is July 10, 2026.
How do I apply to become a career firefighter?
Applications are handled through the Career Recruiting page on the MCFRS website, where you can review the hiring process, salary and benefits, and training academy details, and subscribe to recruitment email updates.
Does MCFRS use volunteers as well as career staff?
Yes. MCFRS is a combination agency of nearly 2,700 certified career and volunteer responders and is one of the largest combination fire-rescue agencies in the nation. Volunteer opportunities are available through joinfirerescue.com.
Are there other ways to get involved besides career and volunteer firefighting?
Yes. In addition to career recruiting and volunteer service, MCFRS offers a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program for residents who want to serve.
How can I stay updated on recruitment openings?
You can subscribe to MCFRS recruitment emails through the Career Recruiting page and follow the dedicated recruiting social media accounts (Instagram, Facebook, and X as @MCFRSRecruiting).