Fire Department · Career
Roanoke Fire- Ems
Roanoke, VA · Roanoke (city) County
5,897 fire calls in 2024 (72 upgraded to working fires on arrival); EMS call volume tracked separately.
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗Roanoke Fire-EMS provides fire suppression, advanced pre-hospital life support, fire prevention, and community risk reduction services to roughly 100,000 residents across the city's 43 square miles. The department is one of only five agencies in Virginia to hold an ISO Class 1 rating and is recognized as an internationally accredited agency, reflecting sustained investment in training, apparatus readiness, and response performance.
Beyond structural firefighting and EMS transport, the department fields specialized regional capabilities: a Heavy Technical Rescue team for building collapse, trench, confined-space, and vehicle-extrication incidents; a Swift Water Rescue team for water emergencies; and participation in the VDEM Region 6 Hazardous Materials Team, which deploys statewide for hazmat incidents. These specialty units respond to roughly 50 high-risk, low-frequency calls a year in addition to routine fire and EMS response, which totaled nearly 5,900 fire calls in 2024 alone.
New firefighter/EMTs and firefighter/paramedics go through a roughly 23-week recruit academy at the department's own Fire & EMS Training Center, covering Firefighter I & II, EMT-Basic, HAZMAT operations, EVOC, rope rescue, and pump operations before being assigned to a station.
MissionFoster a diverse, inclusive and innovative workforce that proudly serves the residents, citizens and visitors of Roanoke.
Roanoke Fire-EMS hires firefighter/EMTs and firefighter/paramedics through a multi-stage testing process, with recruits going through the department's own ~23-week academy before station assignment. As of this review, applications are closed, with future hiring announcements posted on the department's social media.
Requirements
- Must be 18 years old before the academy start date
- Valid driver's license, Social Security card, and birth certificate
- Clean driving record and high school transcripts
- Pass a written examination
- Pass the Physical Agility Test (PAT)
- Pass a psychological evaluation
- Clear a background check
Hiring process
- Submit application online
- Receive written test scheduling instructions by email
- Complete the Physical Agility Test (multiple attempts permitted)
- First-round panel interview (bring 5 copies of resume)
- Psychological testing (same day as second round)
- Second-round interview with department Chiefs
- Background documentation review
- Phone notification of acceptance into Recruit School
Benefits
Choice of three Aetna PPO health plans with over 90% of premiums paid by the City, Delta Dental coverage, employer-paid life insurance (Minnesota Life), accrued leave starting at 19.75 hours/month plus 9 hours of sick leave monthly, 12 paid holidays per fiscal year (bankable), a pension with 5% employee contribution (traditional or hybrid, vesting at 5 years), an HSA with 1% city match, and an optional 457 deferred compensation plan.
Recruit academy runs approximately 23 weeks, Monday-Friday roughly 7 a.m.-5 p.m., at the City of Roanoke Fire & EMS Training Center (802 River Avenue SE). Curriculum includes Firefighter I & II, EMT-Basic, HAZMAT Operations, EVOC, rope operations, pump operations, and rescue techniques.
Is Roanoke Fire-EMS currently hiring?
Applications are currently closed; the department announces future hiring windows on its social media accounts.
What are the minimum requirements to apply?
Applicants must be 18 by the academy start date, hold a valid driver's license with a clean driving record, and pass a written exam, a Physical Agility Test, a psychological evaluation, and a background check.
How long is the recruit academy?
The academy runs about 23 weeks at the department's Fire & EMS Training Center, covering Firefighter I & II, EMT-Basic, HAZMAT operations, EVOC, rope and pump operations, and rescue techniques.
What benefits do firefighters receive?
Employees get City-subsidized Aetna health coverage (over 90% of premiums paid), dental, employer-paid life insurance, accrued leave and sick time, 12 paid holidays, and a choice of pension programs plus optional 457 deferred compensation.