Fire Department · Career
Fort Riley Army Fire & Emergency Services
Fort Riley, KS · Geary County
58 operations personnel across 5 fire stations and 2 battalions, plus a separate 5-person Fire Prevention Branch that includes 6 fire investigators.
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗Fort Riley Fire & Emergency Services (FRFES) protects the U.S. Army's Fort Riley installation, a Kansas Flint Hills post that is home to the storied 1st Infantry Division, the "Big Red One." Organized under the Directorate of Emergency Services, the department covers more than 100,000 acres of urban post and rural training land across Geary and Riley Counties, serving a population of more than 50,000 soldiers, families and civilians.
FRFES operates from five fire stations under two battalions with roughly 58 operations personnel, backed by a five-person Fire Prevention Branch (including six fire investigators), a dedicated Training Branch, and a Health & Safety Branch. Crews handle structural firefighting, wildland fire response (Fort Riley runs an active prescribed-fire program), pre-hospital EMS, aircraft rescue and firefighting for Marshall Army Airfield, and HAZMAT response through a specialized team based at Station 5. The department also fields Rescue 1 for confined-space, rope, vehicle-extrication, swift-water and trench rescue, and its personnel are part of Kansas Task Force 2.
In 2023 alone, FRFES answered more than 3,200 calls for service, including 50 fires, 112 wildland fires, nearly 1,500 fire-alarm activations, and more than 500 medical responses. The department has partnered with Columbia Southern University to offer tuition discounts for employees and their families, part of a broader professional-development network that includes the Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute, area community colleges, and the DoD's Goodfellow Fire Academy.
MissionStrives to deliver exceptional risk-related services to meet the ever-evolving needs of our Soldiers, Families, and Civilians of Fort Riley.
FRFES hires career federal firefighters in the GS-0081 series through USAJOBS.gov, normally at Firefighter GS-03 or GS-04, with a defined career ladder up through GS-07 tied to IFSAC/ProBoard certifications and experience. Both non-veteran applicants and veterans (via the Veterans Recruitment Appointment) are supported, and the department partners with Fort Riley's Transition Assistance Program and Education Services to help transitioning service members qualify.
Requirements
- Must be 18 years of age and less than 37 years of age on official date of employment
- U.S. citizenship
- Must obtain and maintain a valid driver's license
- Heavy physical effort required; must be able to lift 45 pounds or more
- Firefighter, driver, and hazmat certifications must be IFSAC or ProBoard to meet Certificate of Eligibility (COE) requirements for career progression
Hiring process
- Job announcement published on USAJOBS.gov (search keyword series "0081" and location "Fort Riley")
- Create a USAJOBS.gov account and apply online with a resume (5 pages max) and any required documents
- Human Resources produces a list of eligible candidate names
- Hiring Official (Assistant Chief of Operations) makes a selection from the list
- Human Resources extends a tentative job offer
- Complete pre-employment checks: medical physical, drug screening, background check
- Official job offer and acceptance, with an estimated start date provided
- FRFES Welcome Letter and on-boarding packet emailed
- First day: sworn in to begin the new career
Benefits
Federal benefits package: health, dental, and vision insurance; paid vacation and sick leave; Federal Employee Retirement; Thrift Savings Plan (401k-type); professional certification training provided in most cases; and a tuition discount with Columbia Southern University for employees, spouses, and children. Starting salary is over $52K.
Training is supported by Fort Riley's own Fire Training Center (three-story tower, confined-space trainer, classroom, mobile training units) plus outside partners including the Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute, Hutchinson Community College, Manhattan Area Technical College, Barton County Community College, the Kansas State Fire Marshal's Office, and Goodfellow Air Force Base's DoD Fire Academy.
How do I become a firefighter with Fort Riley Fire & Emergency Services?
Job announcements are posted on USAJOBS.gov. Search the keyword series "0081" (Fire Protection and Prevention) with location "Fort Riley," apply online with a resume (5 pages max), then complete HR's selection, pre-employment checks (medical physical, drug screening, background check), and swearing-in. The full process can take up to 180 days.
What are the requirements to become a firefighter at Fort Riley?
Applicants must be 18 to under 37 years old at the date of employment, a U.S. citizen, hold a valid driver's license, and be able to perform heavy physical effort including lifting 45 pounds or more.
What is the work schedule for Fort Riley firefighters?
Operations personnel work 48-hour shifts followed by 48 hours off, with a rotating "Kelly Day" every two weeks that provides roughly 104 scheduled days off per year.
Does Fort Riley Fire & Emergency Services have a special hiring process for veterans?
Yes. Eligible veterans (including disabled veterans and those separated from active duty within the past 3 years) can apply through the non-competitive Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) by submitting a DD-214, resume, and VA disability letter (if applicable) to FRFESrecruitment@gmail.com. FRFES also partners with Fort Riley's Transition Assistance Program and Education Services to help transitioning service members qualify.
What benefits do Fort Riley firefighters receive?
Federal benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, Federal Employee Retirement, a Thrift Savings Plan (401k-type), professional certification training in most cases, and a tuition discount with Columbia Southern University for employees, spouses, and children, with starting salary over $52K.