Norfolk Fire-Rescue

Norfolk Fire-Rescue provides fire suppression and emergency medical services to the City of Norfolk, drawing on more than 100 years of fire service and over 30 years of pre-hospital emergency medical care. Its firefighters are cross-trained to serve as both fire and EMS providers.

Operationally the department fields 14 engine companies, 7 ladder companies, and 2 heavy rescue companies, backed by 14 advanced life support medic units (ambulances), all organized into three battalions. Crews respond to structure fires, medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, technical rescue, and water rescue.

Company staffing is consistent: engine companies run with a captain, an apparatus operator, and two firefighters; ladder companies with a lieutenant, an apparatus operator, and a firefighter; heavy rescue companies with a captain or lieutenant, an apparatus operator, and one or two firefighters. Personnel work an average of ten 24-hour shifts each month.

Norfolk Fire-Rescue recruits highly motivated candidates dedicated to public safety, hiring firefighters who will be cross-trained in both fire suppression and EMS. Prospective applicants can review the department's hiring process, automatic disqualifiers, physical ability test preparation, and career progression details, and submit an Employment Interest Form to start the process.

Recruiting is handled by the department's Recruitment and Retention office, led by Lieutenant Zachariah Hogge, reachable at FIRE-RECRUITERS@norfolk.gov or 757-738-4260. Training is conducted at the department's training center at 7120 Granby Street.