Fire Department · Career
South King Fire & Rescue
Federal Way, WA · King County
Serves the cities of Federal Way and Des Moines with seven responding fire stations plus one training and maintenance station. Emergency call volume grew from 16,279 in 2012 to over 25,000 annually by 2023.
No active openings right now
Watch this department to be notified when South King Fire & Rescue is hiring, or check their careers page.
Department careers page ↗South King Fire & Rescue traces its roots to April 18, 1949, when King County Fire District 39 (originally the Lakeland Fire Department) was formed with a single engine housed in a barn and staffed by volunteers. Over the following decades the district grew through consolidation with neighboring King County fire protection districts, eventually becoming known as the Federal Way Fire Department.
The City of Federal Way annexed into District 39 in 1991, allowing the district to continue operating as an independent fire district while serving the incorporated city. In 2006, Des Moines residents voted to merge their Fire District 26 into the Federal Way Fire Department, creating the combined district known today as South King Fire & Rescue.
Today the district covers roughly 41 square miles and serves a population of more than 150,000 across Federal Way and Des Moines, responding to a growing volume of emergency calls each year from seven responding fire stations and a training and maintenance station.
MissionWe provide professional fire department services to safeguard the community and enhance quality of life.
South King Fire & Rescue posts current job openings through its online careers portal and directs applicants to contact its HR/Recruiting office by email or phone with questions.
What is the Fire Benefit Charge?
The Fire Benefit Charge (FBC) is a fee included in property tax bills that distributes the cost of fire protection based on a structure's fire risk; smaller structures such as single-family homes generally pay less than larger buildings.
Why does South King Fire & Rescue rely on the Fire Benefit Charge?
The FBC provides stable funding to help the district keep pace with rising call demand and maintain response times and resource availability; annual emergency calls grew from 16,279 in 2012 to more than 25,000 by 2023.
Is anyone exempt from the Fire Benefit Charge, and are discounts available?
Certain nonprofits, public schools, religious organizations, and structures under 400 square feet are exempt. Low-income seniors and disabled residents can qualify for property tax discounts, and buildings with fire alarm or sprinkler systems receive rate reductions.