Fire Department · Combination
Poulsbo Fire Department (Kitsap Fire District 18)
Poulsbo, WA · Kitsap County
No active openings right now
Watch this department to be notified when Poulsbo Fire Department (Kitsap Fire District 18) is hiring, or check their careers page.
Department careers page ↗Poulsbo Fire Department, operating as Kitsap County Fire District #18, traces its roots to 1936 when volunteers led by Fire Chief Rudie M. Iverson organized around a 1918 American LaFrance fire engine. The department transitioned to a professional, full-time model in 1979 under its first paid chief, added paramedic-level EMS in 1980, and became a countywide fire district in 2000 when the City of Poulsbo annexed into Kitsap County Fire District #18.
Today the department is a career all-hazards agency with roughly 65 employees, including 55 uniformed responders, supplemented by trained volunteers. It operates five stations spanning Poulsbo, Keyport, and Port Gamble, running a combined fleet of about 17 apparatus that includes engines, medic units, water tenders, and two marine rescue boats.
Beyond structural fire suppression and EMS transport, every PFD firefighter cross-trains in marine rescue and vehicle/machinery disentanglement, and the department contributes technician-level personnel to the regional Kitsap County Technical Rescue Team (KSORT), a Type III US&R task force formed with the county's other municipal departments and Navy Region Northwest Fire Services.
Poulsbo Fire Department is not currently recruiting firefighters or volunteers; the department posts openings directly to its website and social media channels when hiring cycles open. Interested candidates can email AdminSupportServices@poulsbofire.org to be considered for future volunteer recruitment.
Requirements
- Current Washington State EMT-Basic certification (for volunteer applicants)
- Age 18 or older with a high school diploma or GED
- Valid U.S. work authorization and a valid driver's license
- Pass background check, psychological evaluation, and medical evaluation
- Preference given to residents of Kitsap County Fire District #18
Benefits
Volunteers receive on-duty life and health insurance, participate in the Washington State Volunteer Firefighter Board retirement plan, and get professional development in emergency medicine, wildland firefighting, and emergency preparedness. Wildland-certified volunteers are also compensated for state/federal deployments.
Volunteer EMT-Basic training is a 120+ hour course over 6-8 weeks with evening/weekend classroom instruction, simulation training, hospital rotations, and EMS internships; new EMTs work under paramedic supervision until independently certified. A separate two-weekend wildland course plus the arduous 'Pack Test' (3 miles in 45 minutes with a 45-lb pack) qualifies volunteers for wildland deployments.
Is Poulsbo Fire Department currently hiring firefighters?
As of this writing, Poulsbo Fire Department (Kitsap Fire District 18) reports no open positions. The department announces new recruitment cycles on its website and via Facebook and Instagram, so following those channels is the best way to be notified.
How do I become a volunteer with Poulsbo Fire Department?
The department is not currently recruiting volunteers, but interested applicants can email AdminSupportServices@poulsbofire.org to join an interest list for future cycles. Volunteers must hold a Washington EMT-Basic certification, be 18 or older, pass background, psychological, and medical screening, and commit to at least 24 duty hours a month plus Tuesday night training.
How many stations does Poulsbo Fire Department operate?
Poulsbo Fire Department operates 5 stations serving Poulsbo, Keyport, and Port Gamble, running a combined fleet of about 17 apparatus including engines, medic units, water tenders, and marine rescue boats.
Does Poulsbo Fire Department do marine rescue or technical rescue?
Yes. Every PFD firefighter cross-trains in marine rescue and vehicle/machinery disentanglement, and the department contributes technician-level personnel to the regional Kitsap County Technical Rescue Team (KSORT), a joint task force with the county's other fire departments and Navy Region Northwest Fire Services.