top of page

JOIN

Firefighter / Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

​

Firefighter I/II is a national certification course that teaches the basics of firefighting and exceeds the standards for the National Fire Prevention Association’s Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications. Students learn skills such as ropes and knots, ladders, search and rescue, fire behavior, fire suppression, vehicle extrication, high-rise firefighting, and hazardous material operations. Students will also learn to identify and mitigate a wide variety of hazards, conduct lifesaving operations, maintain and operate technical equipment, and perform all the functions of an emergency medical technician.

​

Firefighter/EMTs may advance to higher levels of responsibility including ambulance driver, fire engine driver/operator, unit officer, command officer, and paramedic.

​

All Fairfax County firefighters must complete both Firefighter I/II and EMT-B training.

 

  • Duration: Approximately 9 months (5-6 months for fire school, 3-4 months for EMT-B. 300+ hours of instruction.)

  • Location: The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Academy (4600 West Ox Road, Fairfax, VA 22030)

  • Class dates: Typically Tuesday and Thursday evenings and weekends

​

​

All training is provided; no experience is required.

 

​

Once trained, firefighters must be on operational duty a minimum of 20 hours per month, attend monthly membership meetings and training drills, and work their assigned bingo or kitchen shifts.

ELIGIBILITY

​​

  • 18 years of age or older

  • U.S. citizen or current legal resident with at least 24 months of U.S. residency

  • Possess a valid driver's license

  • Possess a high school diploma or GED certificate

  • Successfully pass a background investigation

  • Successfully pass a physical examination

 

Note: Illegal drug usage and/or two or more moving traffic violations during the previous twelve months disqualifies candidates.

PROCESS

​

  1. ​Click "Apply Now" below and submit your contact information. A member of our recruiting team will reach out to discuss your interests and the opportunities for volunteering.

  2. Attend a prospective member meeting to tour the fire station and learn more about our activities

  3. Submit an application for membership

  4. Participate in an interview

  5. Undergo a County background check. Once complete, the DLVFRD Board of Trustees will review your full application and decide whether to extend membership.

For questions about the volunteering commitment, eligibility, or application process, email hr@dlvfrd.org.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE 

BENEFITS

​

  • The satisfaction of knowing that you have donated your time and efforts to helping your community

  • Diverse experience that will help you excel in any life endeavor

  • Critical thinking and leadership skills

  • Personal property tax exemption for one vehicle within Fairfax County​​

​

​

Operational volunteers are entitled to the following:

​

  • Official uniforms

  • Duty boots allowance

  • County recreation center access

  • Comprehensive County physical examinations

COMMITMENT

​

  • Attend monthly membership meetings (second Monday of the month)

  • Participate in the annual October Open House event

  • Attend assigned bingo shifts on Wednesday or Saturday nights (16 shifts per year)

​​​

​

Operational Volunteers are expected to achieve the following in addition to the above:

​

  • Volunteer at least 20 hours per month/240 hours per year, including completion of mandatory refresher/re-certification training. (This does not include the intensive training for EMT-B and fire fighter certification.)

  • Attend training and drills as needed on nights and weekends at the station or at the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Academy

ARE YOU READY?

bottom of page