Fire Department · Combination
Ocean City Fire Department
Ocean City, MD · Worcester County
“One Team! One Vision! One Mission!”
Second most populated town in Maryland during summer
Ocean City Fire Department seeks an Administrative Assistant II with strong organizational skills and MS Office proficiency. Salary $48,069–$61,287 annually; apply continuously.
Ocean City Fire Department hiring full or part-time Firefighter/EMS with pay ranging from $21.88 to $27.65 hourly. Apply by June 26, 2026 for a chance at bonuses and comprehensive benefits.
The Ocean City Fire Department is a combination department made up of more than 200 members in its Volunteer Division and over 100 in its Career Division, which includes the Office of the Fire Marshal and support staff. The two divisions work together to protect residents and visitors along the 10.5-mile barrier-island town on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
The department operates out of five fire stations organized into five response "box areas" covering Ocean City, West Ocean City, and areas extending to Holly Grove Road. It responds to nearly 7,000 emergency calls a year, many concentrated in the busy summer season, and provides mutual aid to neighboring Worcester County, Maryland, and Sussex County, Delaware.
Ocean City's population is seasonal: roughly 8,000 year-round residents, swelling to anywhere from 50,000 to 350,000 visitors depending on the time of year and making it the second most populated town in Maryland during summer.
Specialized capabilities include a Dive Team, Water Rescue Team, Confined Space Rescue Team, Bomb Squad, and a Marine Unit that operates two fully equipped fire boats.
MissionProtecting the quality of life for Maryland's premier beach community.
Career, paid positions are posted through the Town of Ocean City's job portal on GovernmentJobs.com; the department's website advertises a "Now Hiring" banner linking to current openings, though listings vary with the hiring cycle.
The department also runs a Live-In Program that offers free housing at the beach in exchange for service as a volunteer firefighter. Prospective live-ins must be members of the Volunteer Fire Department, hold Firefighter I, be 18 or older, and pass a background check and physical. It is a common on-ramp into the department, especially for students at nearby Eastern Shore colleges.
Requirements
- Firefighter I certification (for the Live-In Program)
- Must be 18 years or older
- Ability to pass a thorough background check
- Ability to pass a physical examination performed by the Ocean City Fire Department
- Live-in members must be enrolled in school or employed full time
- Live-in members must be members of the Volunteer Fire Department
Hiring process
- Submit a complete application and background check
- Submit a letter to the Fire Chief (Live-In Program), who approves or denies the request and assigns the member to a station
- Complete required training and a physical examination
Benefits
For Live-In Program participants: free housing at the beach (at three fire stations), free training and experience, free uniforms, internet/computer and fitness equipment access, and a $3,500 Maryland state tax break after three years of service.
Is Ocean City Fire Department a career or volunteer department?
It is a combination department, with more than 200 members in the Volunteer Division and over 100 in the Career Division (including the Fire Marshal's Office and support staff).
How do I apply for a paid firefighter position?
Career openings for the Town of Ocean City are posted through the GovernmentJobs.com portal, linked from the department's "Now Hiring" page. Available positions change with the hiring cycle.
What is the Live-In Program?
It offers free, rent-free housing at three fire stations near the beach in exchange for serving as a volunteer firefighter, giving members hands-on experience in a fast-paced emergency-services environment during Ocean City's busy season.
What do I need to qualify for the Live-In Program?
You must be a member of the Volunteer Fire Department, hold Firefighter I, be at least 18, pass a background check and physical, and be enrolled in school or employed full time. Live-ins also work two extra shifts per week beyond their regular weekly shift.
Are there benefits to the Live-In Program besides housing?
Yes—free training, free uniforms, internet and fitness equipment access, and a $3,500 Maryland state tax break after three years of service.
What specialized teams does the department run?
The department fields a Dive Team, Water Rescue Team, Confined Space Rescue Team, Bomb Squad, and a Marine Unit operating two fully equipped fire boats.