Fire Department · Combination
Mountain View Fire & Rescue
Auburn, WA · King County
Mountain View Fire & Rescue, formerly King County Fire District 44, was established in 1953 and covers about 70 square miles of southeast King County from its base in Auburn, Washington. The district serves more than 32,000 residents, including portions of the City of Black Diamond and the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe.
The department runs a team of roughly 35 career personnel — captains, lieutenants, and firefighters — supported by a small volunteer complement. Crews operate around the clock out of fully staffed stations and respond to approximately 2,800 alarms a year, the majority of them medical calls.
Governed by a five-member elected Board of Fire Commissioners, the district fields structure engines, wildland brush trucks, pumper/tenders, and aid units, and delivers advanced life support in partnership with King County Medic One.
Missionprotect the community from the threat of fire and other dangers, and to provide emergency medical services
Mountain View hires its career firefighters through Public Safety Testing (publicsafetytesting.com), where prospective candidates create a profile and test to be placed on the district's eligibility list. From that pool, the department conducts oral board interviews (typically a three-person panel) and then chiefs' interviews for the top candidates before extending conditional and formal offers.
New recruits go through roughly four to six weeks of pre-academy preparation followed by an approximately four-month academy run through the South King County Fire Training Consortium.
Hiring process
- Apply and test through Public Safety Testing to get on the eligibility list
- Oral board interview (typically a 3-person panel)
- Chiefs' interview for top candidates
- Conditional offer of employment
- Formal offer for qualified candidates
Recruits complete roughly 4-6 weeks of pre-academy training followed by an approximately 4-month academy with the South King County Fire Training Consortium.
How do I apply to become a firefighter with Mountain View Fire & Rescue?
The department sources career firefighters through Public Safety Testing. Interested candidates create a profile and test at publicsafetytesting.com to be placed on the district's eligibility list.
What does the hiring process look like?
Candidates are drawn from the Public Safety Testing list, then complete an oral board interview (typically a 3-person panel) and a chiefs' interview for top candidates, followed by conditional and formal offers.
What training do new recruits receive?
New hires go through about 4-6 weeks of pre-academy training and then an approximately 4-month academy program with the South King County Fire Training Consortium.
How large is the department and what does it cover?
Mountain View runs with about 35 career personnel serving 32,000+ residents across roughly 70 square miles, responding to around 2,800 alarms a year.
Is the department unionized?
Yes. Mountain View Fire & Rescue firefighters are represented by IAFF Local 3186.