Fire Department · Combination
Winchester Fire & Rescue Department
Winchester, VA · Winchester (city) County
combination career and volunteer department
Winchester Fire & Rescue Department protects the City of Winchester, an independent city in Virginia's northern Shenandoah Valley. The department describes itself as a combination organization, blending career and volunteer members who cross-staff engines and rescue units across four stations.
The department's history reaches back to 1788, giving it one of the longer institutional lineages in the region. Today its roughly 80-member force of firefighter/EMTs and paramedics runs an all-hazards operation that pairs structural firefighting with a busy emergency-medical mission coordinated within the regional EMS system.
The department organizes its culture around the acronym FIRST — Fairness, Integrity, Respect, Service, and Trust — and aligns operations with the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives under the 'Everyone Goes Home' banner. Strategic priorities center on staffing, infrastructure, and growing both career and volunteer recruitment and retention.
MissionTo professionally provide and enhance life safety and fire protection services in a safe, resolute and respectful manner.
Winchester Fire & Rescue is actively recruiting for both fully certified and non-certified Firefighter/EMT positions, hiring through the City of Winchester's online application portal (governmentjobs.com/careers/winchesterva). Fully certified applicants who join receive a $2,500 hiring bonus, and testing fees are waived for candidates living within 20 miles of Winchester City Hall.
Certified candidates apply with Firefighter I, Hazardous Materials Operations, EVOC, Mayday Firefighter Down, and EMT certifications in hand (paramedic preferred). Non-certified candidates can be hired and are then required to earn those certifications as a condition of continued employment.
Requirements
- At least 18 years of age
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- Valid driver's license
- Certified applicants: Firefighter Level I (Pro-Board, IFSAC, or VDFP recognized)
- Certified applicants: Hazardous Materials Operations certification
- Certified applicants: Emergency Vehicle Operations Course
- Certified applicants: Mayday Firefighter Down certification
- Certified applicants: EMT certification (VA or National Registry; EMT-Paramedic preferred)
- Non-certified applicants must obtain the above certifications for continued employment
Benefits
Fully certified Firefighter/EMTs receive a $2,500 hiring bonus. Testing fees are waived for candidates who live within 20 miles of Winchester City Hall. The department states new hires can expect opportunities for growth within their first five years.
Non-certified hires are brought on and must earn Firefighter I, HazMat Operations, EVOC, Mayday, and EMT certifications as a condition of continued employment.
What are the basic requirements to become a Winchester firefighter?
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, and hold a valid driver's license.
Do I need to be certified before applying?
No. The department hires both fully certified and non-certified Firefighter/EMTs. Non-certified hires must earn Firefighter I, Hazardous Materials Operations, EVOC, Mayday Firefighter Down, and EMT certifications for continued employment.
Is there a hiring bonus?
Yes. Fully certified Firefighter/EMTs receive a $2,500 hiring bonus.
Are laterals or already-certified firefighters accepted?
Yes. The city recruits fully certified Firefighter/EMTs, who need Firefighter I, HazMat Operations, EVOC, Mayday, and EMT certification (paramedic preferred) at the time of application.
How do I apply?
Applications are submitted through the City of Winchester's careers portal at governmentjobs.com/careers/winchesterva; certified applicants must attach all required certificates with their application.
Are there any cost breaks for local candidates?
Yes. All testing fees are waived for candidates who live within 20 miles of Winchester City Hall.