Fire Department · Combination
Columbia River Fire and Rescue
Saint Helens, OR · Columbia County
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Department careers page ↗Columbia River Fire & Rescue (CRFR) is the fire and emergency medical services provider for St. Helens, Columbia City, Warren, Prescott, and Rainier, Oregon, covering about 185 square miles of Columbia County along the lower Columbia River. The department operates seven fire stations plus the Lee Broadbent Training Center, and its primary stations carry an ISO Public Protection Classification of 4.
CRFR is governed by an elected Board of Directors and led by a Fire Chief, blending career staff with a longstanding volunteer firefighter program. The department provides fire suppression, EMS, and community risk-reduction services (including its FireMed subscription program, fire prevention/marshal functions, and public programs like rural address assistance and sharps/medication disposal) to a growing suburban and rural population base outside Portland.
The department states its mission as protecting and improving residents' quality of life through life-safety and emergency services, with a vision of being recognized as a model of excellence in fire, medical, and community services.
MissionProtects and improves the quality of our citizens' lives by providing life safety and emergency services in their time of need.
CRFR hires career Firefighter/Paramedics, Firefighter/EMTs, and EMS-only positions through the Civil Service System and the National Testing Network (NTN), and separately maintains an always-open volunteer firefighter program with its own application and physical ability testing.
Requirements
- Pass the Firefighter Physical Ability Test (CPAT) — five timed tasks performed in full gear (turnout coat, SCBA, helmet, gloves, safety glasses) totaling about 60 lbs
- Complete required academy training
- Career applicants apply through the National Testing Network (nationaltestingnetwork.com) under the Civil Service System
Hiring process
- Volunteers: download and submit the volunteer application, then pass the CPAT physical ability test
- Career positions: apply through the National Testing Network portal for the specific position (Firefighter/Paramedic, Firefighter/EMT, or EMS-only)
Benefits
Volunteer firefighters receive personal protective equipment, workers' compensation coverage, retirement and liability coverage, a Volunteer Incentive Program (VIP), access to the department's firefighter fitness center, DPSST and National Fire Academy training opportunities, and recognition events.
What area does Columbia River Fire & Rescue serve?
CRFR serves about 185 square miles of Columbia County, Oregon, including St. Helens, Columbia City, Warren, Prescott, and Rainier, protecting over 27,000 residents.
How many fire stations does CRFR operate?
The department operates seven fire stations plus the Lee Broadbent Training Center.
How do I apply to become a volunteer firefighter?
Download the volunteer application from the CRFR website, contact the department at smythee@crfr.com or (503) 397-2990, and pass the Firefighter Physical Ability Test (CPAT). CRFR is always accepting volunteer applications.
How do I apply for a career firefighter position?
Career Firefighter/Paramedic, Firefighter/EMT, and EMS-only positions are hired through the Civil Service System, with applications submitted via the National Testing Network (nationaltestingnetwork.com).
What is CRFR's ISO rating?
The department's primary stations maintain an ISO Public Protection Classification rating of 4, considered an excellent rating.