Fire Department · Combination
Prince William County Department Of Fire & Rescue
Woodbridge, VA · Prince William County
The Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue is the career arm of a combination system that pairs paid personnel with eight volunteer fire and rescue departments to protect the county in Northern Virginia. It fields roughly 722 civilian and uniformed members.
The department operates on a paramedic-engine deployment model, delivering both fire suppression and emergency medical services across a fast-growing suburban county in the greater Washington, D.C. region.
New firefighters are trained in-house through the department's Basic Recruit Program, a 24-week academy that produces credentialed, EMS-capable firefighters ready for the county's mix of suburban and developing communities.
Missionhigh quality and efficient firefighting and emergency medical services to Prince William County
Prince William County hires Fire and Rescue Technicians (Firefighter/EMT) through an online application on governmentjobs.com. No EMS certification is required to apply, though paramedic and firefighter credentials earn hiring bonuses. Candidates must be at least 18 by their hire date and hold a high school diploma or GED.
Selected applicants move through a multi-stage process (written exam, physical ability test, background and psychological screening, medical exam, and a panel interview) before entering the department's 24-week recruit academy. Recruitment questions go to the Department of Fire and Rescue Personnel office at firerescuejobs@pwcgov.org.
Requirements
- At least 18 years of age by hire date
- High school diploma or GED equivalent by hire date
- Valid driver's license at time of application
- Pass criminal background check (Central Criminal Records Exchange) and DMV driving record review
- Must be a non-smoker / non-user of smokeless tobacco products, on and off duty, for the duration of employment
- No EMS certification required to apply (paramedic/EMT credentials earn bonuses)
Hiring process
- Submit online application at governmentjobs.com
- Written exam
- Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)
- Polygraph exam
- Psychological screening
- Medical exam
- Panel interview
Benefits
Medical, dental, pharmacy, and vision coverage; leave accrual, holiday pay, and fringe benefits for full-time employees. Hiring incentives include a $10,000 signing bonus (paid in two installments), a $3,000 one-time paramedic bonus after probation, education bonuses of 1.5%-6% by degree level, and military service bonuses of 1.5%-3%.
24-week Basic Recruit Program covering classroom studies, fireground practice, and physical fitness; recruits earn Virginia Firefighter Level I & II (NFPA 1001), EMT-Basic, CPR, hazardous materials, rope operations, emergency vehicle operations, firefighter survival, and child safety seat technician certifications.
What are the minimum requirements to apply?
You must be at least 18 years old by your hire date and have a high school diploma or GED. A valid driver's license is required at the time of application.
Do I need an EMS certification to apply?
No EMS certification is required to apply. However, National Registry or Virginia paramedic/EMT credentials are preferred and can earn hiring bonuses.
What does the job pay?
The Fire and Rescue Technician I (Firefighter/EMT) salary range is $62,187.36 to $106,836.44 annually. New hires can also receive a $10,000 signing bonus, plus paramedic, education, and military bonuses.
What is the work schedule?
The department works 24-hour shifts on a 56-hour work week, using a paramedic-engine deployment model.
What is the hiring process?
After applying online, candidates go through a written exam, the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), a polygraph exam, psychological screening, a medical exam, and a panel interview.
How long is the academy and what does it cover?
The Basic Recruit Program runs 24 weeks and covers classroom study, fireground practice, and fitness. Recruits earn Virginia Firefighter I & II, EMT-Basic, CPR, hazardous materials, and rope operations certifications, among others.
How do I apply?
Applications are accepted only online at governmentjobs.com. For recruitment questions, contact the Department of Fire and Rescue Personnel office at firerescuejobs@pwcgov.org.