Fire Recruit

Work. Serve. Thrive. With the City of Durham.

Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.

The Durham Fire Department is nationally accredited and known for aggressive firefighting tactics proactive fire and life safety education programming and one of the highest cardiac resuscitation rates in the country. We protect and serve residents and visitors through fire prevention activities and emergency responses to fire EMS technical rescue and hazardous materials incidents. If you are interested in helping people and want an exciting career in public service become a Durham firefighter!

Work Hours: 24 Hour Rotating Shifts 7:00 am7:00 am (After Academy)

Applicants considered for positions will participate in a one-day written and physical agility testing process. The written test and physical agility test will both assess abilities and personal characteristics important to effective job performance as a firefighter. Applicants must be able to test and interview in person.We cannot accommodate requests to test or interview on dates other than those specified at . For testing dates details and other essential information all applicants MUST visit.


Fire Recruits selected for hire will receive training and instruction in firefighting rescue hazardous materials response and emergency medical services. This is accomplished by attending classes and emergency events; completing physical training; becoming knowledgeable about professional firefighting and other related duties equipment rescue materials and supplies.

Applicants hired must successfully complete a 9-month academy while participating in rigorous physical training. All applicants selected for hire who do not currently have NC EMT certification or higher must attain NC EMT certification within three testing attempts. All classes are scheduled and funded by DFD while employed.

• Until graduation from the Fire Academy entry level fire recruits will learn to perform all tasks below through attending classes and participating in rigorous physical training.
• Provides emergency medical services as a first responder by responding to emergency medical incidents; evaluating and administering drugs for incidents such as cardiac respiratory allergic conditions and trauma; and maintaining EMS equipment and supplies.
• Performs fire control and rescue operations by entering burning structures searching for victims and fire sources extinguishing fires operating equipment and apparatus forcing entry into structures examining fire damage locating hydrants and other sources of water operating hose lines extricating victims and cleaning fire scenes.
• Provides highly specialized rescue services such as swift water rescue hazardous materials response and technical rescue.
  Participates in drills and demonstrates consistent and thorough knowledge of specialized areas; attains and/or maintains required certifications and maintains records logs and reports.
• Maintains equipment and fire facilities by performing daily preventive maintenance testing fire equipment checking hydrants and performing other duties as assigned.
• This position is critical to emergency operations and fire recruits will report to work in spite of or because of an emergency or disaster event.
• To continue employment with the City of Durham as a Firefighter you must maintain your EMT credential in good standing. An EMT class will be funded by the Durham Fire Department and delivered during the academy. Students who fail the state test will have up to two additional attempts to pass the test scheduled by the department. Employees who are not successful in attaining EMT credentialing within the three testing attempts will be terminated.
• Employees who are not successful in attaining all certifications within the specified time frame will be terminated.
• Work will require knowledge attained through successful completion of the Durham Fire Department Academy (scheduled and funded by the Durham Fire Department while employed).

• High school diploma/equivalency (GED HiSET TASC) by the hire date/Academy start date.
• Must be at least 18 years of age by the hire date/Academy start date.
• Valid unrestricted Class C drivers license (by DFD written/agility test date).
• No DWI/DUI convictions in the last four years.
• No felony convictions.
• Must pass entry level written and agility testing medical examination and extensive background investigation.
• Must earn and maintain NC EMT certification within three testing attempts (scheduled and funded by Durham Fire Department while employed).