Fire Department · Combination
Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue
Ridgefield, WA · Clark County
Pay scale
| Entry Level Firefighter/EMT | $90,744–$121,008/yr |
| Lateral Firefighter/EMT | $90,744–$121,008/yr |
| Entry Level Firefighter/Paramedic | $8,318–$11,092 monthly |
| Lateral Firefighter/Paramedic | $8,318–$11,092 monthly |
Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue is hiring Entry Level Firefighter/EMTs with salaries ranging from $90,744 to $121,008 annually. Applicants must possess a valid CPAT and Washington State or National EMT certification by May 31st.
Earn $99,818 to $133,109 annually as an Entry Level Firefighter/Paramedic with comprehensive medical and dental benefits, up to a 4% deferred compensation match, and education incentives. Must possess a valid CPAT and Paramedic certification.
Lateral Firefighter/EMT positions offer a monthly base salary range of $7,562 to $10,084, backed by comprehensive medical, dental, and deferred compensation benefits. Applicants must have 36 months of full-time experience and valid CPAT credentials.
Lateral Firefighter/Paramedics earn $99,818 to $133,109 annually and must possess 36 months of full-time experience and a valid CPAT at time of job offer. Applications are accepted continuously to establish an eligibility list in June 2026.
Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue (CCFR) covers more than 125 square miles of north Clark County and south Cowlitz County in Southwest Washington, serving the cities of Ridgefield, La Center, and Woodland along with the Cowlitz Indian Reservation. The district responds to nearly 5,300 emergencies a year — fires, medical calls, rescues, and more — with a team of over 100 career firefighters, CARES staff, support volunteers, and administrative personnel operating out of stations spread across the district.
Beyond structural fire response, CCFR runs a critical care ambulance transport service and its CARES program (Community Assistance, Referrals and Education Services), which pairs community resource nurses and paramedics with a behavioral health crisis response effort aimed at connecting residents with services beyond a 911 dispatch. The district is governed by a five-member elected Board of Fire Commissioners and partners with Portland Community College on a fire science internship program, giving CCFR a pipeline into both traditional suppression roles and its growing community-paramedicine work.
MissionProudly protecting life and property through preparation, prevention, education and response.
Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue hires entry-level and lateral Firefighter/Paramedics and Firefighter/EMTs through the Public Safety Testing platform, alongside separate postings for Community Resource Nurses/Paramedics tied to its CARES behavioral-health crisis response program. The district also runs a support volunteer program and a fire-science internship partnership with Portland Community College.
Requirements
- Complete testing and application through Public Safety Testing
- Entry-level and lateral Firefighter/Paramedic and Firefighter/EMT tracks available
How do I apply to become a firefighter with Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue?
Entry-level and lateral Firefighter/Paramedic and Firefighter/EMT candidates apply and test through the Public Safety Testing platform, which CCFR uses to screen applicants for open career firefighter positions.
Does Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue accept lateral transfers?
Yes. CCFR posts a dedicated lateral Firefighter/Paramedic testing track through Public Safety Testing in addition to its entry-level track.
What area does Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue cover?
CCFR serves more than 125 square miles of north Clark County and south Cowlitz County, Washington, including Ridgefield, La Center, Woodland, and the Cowlitz Indian Reservation, protecting about 52,000 residents.
Does Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue have volunteer or internship opportunities?
Yes. The district runs a support volunteer program and partners with Portland Community College on a fire-science intern program that fulfills degree electives.