LATERAL FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC

POSITION INFORMATION

OPEN COMPETITIVE RECRUITMENT

Lateral Firefighter/Paramedic

Bring Your Experience. Build Your Future.

Take the next step in your fire service career with Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District. Bring your firefighting and advanced life support experience to a professional team providing all-risk emergency response across Northern Nevada.

Who Qualifies as a Lateral Applicant?

Applicants must have completed their Firefighter probationary period with their current employer, and must have at least one year of current, full-time, continuous employment as a Firefighter/Paramedic. This one year of experience may include probationary time. The experience must be with a public fire district, agency, authority, or department that provides all-risk Fire/EMS services.

More Than a Job. A Career Worth Building.

Continue your career with a combination of retirement value, comprehensive benefits, specialized assignments, and the quality of life Northern Nevada offers.

Nevada PERS Retirement

Defined-benefit retirement through Nevada PERS, with District-paid retirement contributions in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement.IAFF Local 2487 Representation

Bargaining-unit representation with negotiated wages, hours, benefits, and other employment provisions under the applicable collective bargaining agreement.Comprehensive Health Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage, including District-paid employee premiums and contributions toward eligible dependent coverage.Employee Support & Paid Leave

Negotiated leave benefits, professional development opportunities, employee assistance resources, and peer support.

Financial Advantages of Nevada

No State Income Tax

Nevada does not impose state individual income tax on salaries or wages.No OASDI Withholding

Qualifying Nevada PERS-covered TMFPD wages are not subject to Social Security withholding. Medicare tax still applies.Property Tax Cap

Qualifying owner-occupied primary residences generally receive a 3% annual cap on property-tax bill increases.

Life Outside the Shift

Northern Nevada offers access to alpine lakes, hiking, fishing, skiing, water recreation, live entertainment, and year-round outdoor activities.

Lake Tahoe & the Sierra Nevada

Alpine lakes, mountain trails, beaches, and outdoor adventures are all within reach of Reno.

Pyramid Lake

High-desert scenery and renowned fishing opportunities north of Reno.Sierra Ski Country

Skiing, snowboarding, and winter recreation at regional mountain resorts.Hiking & TrailsWater RecreationArts & Entertainment

Grow Your Career

TMFPD members may have opportunities to pursue specialized assignments, advanced operational qualifications, and professional development.

Advanced Life Support & Ambulance

Provide advanced patient assessment, treatment, and emergency medical response.Hazardous Materials & Rescue

Develop specialized operational capabilities and support regional response.Incident Command Development

Build qualifications and experience in incident management.Wildland Overhead Deployments

Qualified personnel may support complex wildland incidents.

Lateral Entry Requirements

Education & Experience

Graduation from high school or equivalent education.

Applicants must have completed their Firefighter probationary period with their current employer, and must have at least one year of current, full-time, continuous employment as a Firefighter/Paramedic. This one year of experience may include probationary time. The experience must be with a public fire district, agency, authority, or department that provides all-risk Fire/EMS services.

Required at Time of Application

• Valid driver's license.
• Current state-issued Paramedic certification.
• Current Firefighter I and II certifications meeting NFPA, IFSAC, Pro Board, or equivalent standards.

Required Documentation

Attach documentation supporting required licenses, certifications, and qualifying lateral experience. All required materials must be current, legible, and submitted with the application.

Required by the End of the Lateral Academy

• Successfully complete the District's Lateral Academy.
• Possess a valid State of Nevada or National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Paramedic certification.
• Obtain NWCG S-130 and S-190 certifications.
• CPR certification with hands-on skills assessment.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
• International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) or Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) certification.
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.

Required Within Six Months of Appointment

Obtain a Nevada Class C driver's license with an F endorsement, or equivalent, meeting Nevada DMV requirements.

Recruitment Details

Applications OpenOctober 21, 2026Application DeadlineNovember 11, 2026Skills AssessmentsAnticipated week of December 7, 2026Anticipated Lateral AcademyFirst Quarter 2027; exact dates to be determined

Dates are tentative and subject to change. Qualified applicants will receive further scheduling information.

Position Overview

Under general supervision, the Firefighter/Paramedic performs firefighting activities in combating, extinguishing, and preventing fires; provides advanced emergency medical care; responds to emergency and other incidents; and performs related work.

• Respond to structure fires, wildland fires, rescue incidents, medical emergencies, and public-assistance calls.
• Perform Paramedic-level patient assessment, advanced life support, and emergency medical treatment.
• Participate in hose operations, ladder operations, ventilation, extinguishment, extrication, and salvage.
• Operate and maintain firefighting, rescue, EMS, and wildland equipment as assigned.
• Participate in training, fire prevention, public education, and station operations.
• Prepare records and reports, and perform assigned duties safely and professionally.

Probationary Period: Twelve months beginning upon successful completion of the academy.

Positions require varied shifts, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and mandatory shifts, as applicable.

Anticipated Hiring Process

Lateral applicants must successfully complete firefighter and Paramedic skills assessments before appointment. CPAT and NTN written testing are not required for this lateral recruitment.

Application ReviewReview of minimum qualifications, lateral experience, required licenses, and certifications.Firefighter Skills AssessmentRequired firefighter skills assessment prior to appointment.Paramedic Skills AssessmentRequired Paramedic skills assessment prior to appointment.InterviewInterview component, as scheduled by the District.Background InvestigationRequired pre-employment background investigation.Psychological EvaluationRequired pre-employment psychological evaluation.Polygraph ExaminationRequired pre-employment polygraph examination.Medical ExaminationRequired medical examination and applicable fitness-for-duty requirements.

All required selection and pre-employment components must be successfully completed before appointment. The District may adjust the order, format, or scheduling of the process.

Application Instructions

Submit a complete application by November 11, 2026 . Attach all required licenses, certifications, and documentation demonstrating qualifying lateral Firefighter/Paramedic experience.

Applicants selected to advance will receive information regarding the required firefighter and Paramedic skills assessments and subsequent pre-employment evaluations.

Photo credits: Emerald Bay — Blake Everett, CC0; Pyramid Lake — Rhalden, public domain; Tahoe skiing — Tahoe Signature Properties, CC BY-SA 4.0; Tahoe Rim Trail — AT2663, CC BY-SA 3.0; Zephyr Cove — Don Graham, CC BY-SA 2.0; Pioneer Center — Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0. Images via Wikimedia Commons.

Protect the Community. Build Your Career. Live the Lifestyle.

Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District

Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District Does Not Discriminate on the Basis Of Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression, Age, Disability or National Origin in the Activities and/or Services Which it Provides. EOE.