Fire Department · Combination
Jefferson County Fire Protection District No. 1 (Aka East Jefferson Fire Rescue)
Port Townsend, WA · Jefferson County
As of an August 2023 department update: 72 paid staff, 41 volunteers, and 8 resident volunteers, operating 9 engines, 1 ladder truck, 3 water tenders, 12 ambulances, 3 brush trucks, 3 marine units, 1 technical rescue trailer, and 8 staff vehicles.
No active openings right now
Watch this department to be notified when Jefferson County Fire Protection District No. 1 (Aka East Jefferson Fire Rescue) is hiring, or check their careers page.
Department careers page ↗East Jefferson Fire Rescue (EJFR) traces its lineage to Key City Hose Company No. 1, organized in Port Townsend in the 1870s, with official department records dating to 1872. Jefferson County Fire Protection District No. 1 was formally established by resolution in March 1948, and District No. 6 followed in 1975. In January 2006, Port Townsend's city fire department consolidated with both districts to form East Jefferson Fire Rescue, and in January 2023 the neighboring Port Ludlow Fire & Rescue merged into EJFR after voter approval.
Today EJFR is an all-hazards, combination department covering the incorporated city of Port Townsend plus fourteen unincorporated Jefferson County communities, an area of roughly 123 square miles with about 28,000 residents. The district runs nine stations (five fully staffed, four staffed by volunteers) and an administrative office, fielding engines, ladder, water tender, ambulance, brush truck, marine, and technical rescue apparatus.
Emergency medical calls make up the large majority of EJFR's workload, alongside fire suppression, motor vehicle collision response, hazardous materials handling, water rescue, and fire prevention and public education delivered through its Community Risk Reduction office. The department is governed by a five-member elected Board of Commissioners.
MissionProtecting our Community for 150 Years and Counting — serving through trust, honor and respect.
EJFR is a combination department that hires both career staff and volunteers, with volunteer roles serving as a common entry path into the fire service locally. Career openings (e.g., command staff) are posted individually as they arise, sometimes handled through an outside recruiting firm; volunteer positions recruit continuously.
Requirements
- Successful physical and background check per department policy
- Compliance with a drug-free workplace policy
- Volunteer Firefighter-in-Training: must obtain EMT certification within the first 12 months and attend scheduled shift training
- EMS Volunteer: minimum Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certification
Hiring process
- Submit a digital application packet for the specific posted position (career or volunteer)
- Undergo background check and physical screening
- For Volunteer Firefighter-in-Training: complete initial classes before responding to emergency calls, then work toward EMT certification within 12 months
Benefits
Volunteer roles are eligible for the Volunteer Firefighters' and Reserve Officers' pension, with quarterly point-based expense compensation for EMS, support, and administrative volunteers. A posted career Volunteer Coordinator role listed sick leave accrual, a flexible schedule, and term life/AD&D insurance.
What area does East Jefferson Fire Rescue cover?
EJFR serves the city of Port Townsend and fourteen unincorporated communities in eastern Jefferson County, Washington, covering about 123 square miles and roughly 28,000 residents.
How many calls does EJFR respond to each year?
The department typically responds to more than 6,000 calls for service a year, with medical calls making up roughly 70% of the total.
Does EJFR use volunteers as well as career staff?
Yes. EJFR is a combination department with volunteer roles including Firefighter-in-Training, EMS Volunteer, Support Volunteer, and Administrative Volunteer, alongside career staff.
How can someone become a volunteer firefighter with EJFR?
Volunteer Firefighter-in-Training applicants must pass a background check and physical, complete initial classes before responding to calls, and obtain EMT certification within their first 12 months, with a 2-year commitment.