Fire Department · Combination
South Thurston Fire - EMS
Tenino, WA · Thurston County
Pay scale
| Entry-Level Firefighter/EMT | $81,318–$99,339/yr |
South Thurston Fire & EMS is hiring a full-time Entry Level/Lateral Lieutenant/EMT with an annual salary of $104,305 to $110,658.26. Requirements include EMT, Firefighter 1 & 2 certifications, prior experience, CPAT, and a valid Washington State Driver's License. Applications are due by January 30, 2026.
Earn $81,318 to $99,339 annually with employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and LEOFF 2 retirement. Requires EMT certification, prior experience, and CPAT by the January 30, 2026 testing deadline.
South Thurston Fire & EMS was created by the merger of Thurston County Fire District #12 (Tenino) and Fire District #16 (Gibson Valley). It now covers about 76 square miles and serves roughly 9,000 residents in the communities of Tenino, Gibson Valley, Skookumchuck, and Violet Prairie in southern Thurston County, Washington.
A combination department governed by a board of fire commissioners, it provides fire suppression and emergency medical services and is growing — voters recently approved a bond measure to support that growth. Annual call volume has run in the 1,100-1,400 range in recent years.
South Thurston Fire & EMS hires entry-level and lateral Firefighter/EMTs and Lieutenant/EMTs; candidates test through Public Safety Testing.
Hiring process
- Apply and test through Public Safety Testing for Firefighter/EMT or Lieutenant/EMT (entry-level or lateral)
- Volunteer applicants may apply directly to the department
What area does South Thurston Fire & EMS cover?
About 76 square miles and 9,000 residents across Tenino, Gibson Valley, Skookumchuck, and Violet Prairie in southern Thurston County, formed by merging Fire Districts 12 and 16.
Does the district hire lateral firefighters?
Yes — it recruits both entry-level and lateral Firefighter/EMTs and Lieutenant/EMTs. Testing is handled through Public Safety Testing.
How busy is the department?
Recent annual call volume has ranged from about 1,100 to 1,430 calls per year.