Fire Department · Combination
North Whatcom Fire and Rescue
Bellingham, WA · Whatcom County
“Committed to a safer community through partnerships with our community members”
No active openings right now
Watch this department to be notified when North Whatcom Fire and Rescue is hiring, or check their careers page.
Department careers page ↗North Whatcom Fire & Rescue (Whatcom County Fire Protection District #21) protects communities in the northwest corner of Washington, including Lynden, Blaine, Birch Bay, Semiahmoo, Laurel, and surrounding rural areas near the U.S.-Canada border. The district was formed in 2006 from the merger of Fire Protection Districts #3 and #13, and grew again in 2011 by consolidating with District #4, expanding coverage to roughly 182 square miles.
The department operates on an all-hazards model, providing fire suppression, emergency medical services (including BLS transport), rescue, and hazardous-materials response at the operations level. All career firefighters are certified at least to the EMT-Basic level.
NWFR runs eight stations: four full-time paid fire/EMS stations (two of which are cross-staffed with ladder trucks) plus four volunteer tender-support stations that supply water in the district's more rural reaches. The agency is governed by an elected Board of Fire Commissioners.
MissionTo protect the lives and property of our community through innovation and compassionate care.
North Whatcom Fire & Rescue recruits volunteer support members through an interest form on its Join Our Team page. Candidates who move forward go through a multi-step screening process before being brought on.
Volunteer roles at NWFR (such as Tender Support and Rehab Support) require applicants to be at least 21 years old, hold a valid Washington State driver's license, and have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. As of the most recent posting, the department's tender pool was at full capacity and not accepting new applications, so prospective members should check the recruitment page for current openings.
Requirements
- At least 21 years old
- Valid Washington State driver's license
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
- Current First Aid / CPR / AED (for Rehab Support role)
Hiring process
- Application
- Background check
- Medical physical exam
- Interview
- Driver's abstract
- Drug screening
What are the basic requirements to join North Whatcom Fire & Rescue?
For its volunteer support roles, NWFR requires applicants to be at least 21 years old, hold a valid Washington State driver's license, and have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. The Rehab Support role also requires a current First Aid / CPR / AED certification.
Is North Whatcom Fire & Rescue currently accepting applications?
As of the most recent posting, the department's tender pool was at full capacity and it was not accepting new applications. Check the Join Our Team page for current openings before applying.
What does the hiring/screening process look like?
Candidates go through an application, background check, medical physical exam, interview, driver's abstract, and drug screening.
How do I apply?
Complete the interest form on the department's Join Our Team page, which asks for your name, contact information, address, qualifications, and how you heard about the opportunity.
What kind of emergency work does NWFR do?
The department operates on an all-hazards model, including fire suppression, emergency medical services with BLS transport, rescue, and hazardous-materials response at the operations level. All career firefighters are certified to at least the EMT-Basic level.
Past postings, kept for reference. These are no longer accepting applications.