Fire Department · Career
Key West Fire Department
Key West, FL · Monroe County
Three staffed stations (Station 1 at HQ, Station 2 on Simonton Street, Station 3 on Kennedy Drive) plus one unmanned auxiliary station on Sunset Key.
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗Key West Fire Department (KWFD) protects the southernmost city in the continental United States, running a combined fire-suppression and emergency medical services operation out of stations spread across the island, plus an unmanned auxiliary station on Sunset Key. The department traces its roots to the Lafayette Fire Company, a volunteer outfit organized in 1834, before Key West formally stood up its own fire department in 1875 - a lineage that includes surviving the Great Fire of 1886, which destroyed 18 cigar factories and over 600 buildings across Old Town.
Today KWFD firefighters work 24-hour shifts on a 24/48 rotation split across three color-coded watches, responding not just to structure fires but to medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, and water rescues through the department's dive team. In 2016 the department earned an ISO Class 1 rating, a distinction held by fewer than 1% of U.S. fire departments and one that helps lower homeowners' insurance costs across the city.
MissionWe strive daily to provide the best medical service, fire suppression response, and fire prevention enforcement we can, both on land and on the water, to enhance the quality of life and safety here in Key West.
Firefighter and EMS openings with the City of Key West, including Key West Fire Department positions, are posted and applied for through the city's centralized Career Opportunities portal. Pay and benefits for bargaining-unit firefighter positions are governed by the current IAFF collective bargaining agreement.
Benefits
Firefighter positions are covered by a public-safety pension plan and by the terms of the department's current IAFF collective bargaining agreement (2024-2025).
How do I apply for a job with Key West Fire Department?
Openings with Key West Fire Department are posted through the City of Key West's Career Opportunities portal, where applicants can search and apply for firefighter and EMS positions online.
What is Key West Fire Department's ISO rating?
Key West Fire Department holds an ISO Class 1 rating, earned in 2016, placing it among the top 1% of U.S. fire departments and helping lower homeowner insurance premiums in the city.
Does Key West Fire Department provide EMS transport?
Yes. The department's EMS Division provides emergency medical services and ambulance transport, with its own transport billing system for patients.
What shift schedule do Key West firefighters work?
Firefighters work a 24/48 schedule - 24 hours on duty followed by 48 hours off - rotating across three shifts known as Red, Blue, and Green watch.
How many fire stations does Key West Fire Department operate?
The department operates three staffed fire stations across the island plus an additional unmanned station on Sunset Key.