Fire Department · Combination
Golden Valley Fire Department
Golden Valley, MN · Hennepin County
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Department careers page ↗Golden Valley Fire Department traces its roots to 1943, when it was organized in the closing days of World War II as a 39-member volunteer fire department. As the city grew in the postwar decades, the department expanded into the combination, paid-on-call model it operates today, building out its three current stations between 1979 and 1995.
Today GVFD operates from three stations, with Station 1 on Golden Valley Road serving as the administrative headquarters for the department's full-time support staff. The department's apparatus fleet includes pumping engines, a 105-foot aerial ladder truck, rescue trucks, a light rescue vehicle, and a rescue boat, allowing it to handle structure fires, vehicle accidents, medical emergencies, and mutual aid calls across the city.
The department responds to more than 2,200 calls for service each year with fire suppression, code enforcement, fire prevention and inspection, community safety education, and emergency preparedness programs, in addition to its emergency response duties.
GVFD hires paid, on-call firefighters through a structured annual recruitment cycle that runs from information meetings and a recruitment expo through a competitive application, testing, and background process.
Requirements
- At least 18 years old
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid Minnesota Class D driver's license with a clean driving record
- Strong communication skills
- Live or work within 12 minutes of a Golden Valley fire station
- Reliable transportation
Hiring process
- Attend a recruitment information meeting
- Attend the firefighter recruitment expo
- Submit application by the deadline
- Interview
- Background check
- Physical ability exam
- Medical evaluation
- Psychological exam
- Conditional offer of employment
Benefits
Firefighters participate in the Golden Valley Fire Relief Association pension fund, becoming partially vested after 5 years of service and fully vested after 10 years; disability benefits are also available.
New hires complete two years of initial training through the West Suburban Fire Academy, including EMT certification, Firefighter I & II certification, hazardous materials operations training, and fire apparatus operator certification.
Is Golden Valley Fire Department a career or volunteer department?
It is a combination department staffed by paid, on-call firefighters along with administrative and support staff.
What are the minimum requirements to become a Golden Valley firefighter?
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, hold a valid Minnesota Class D driver's license with a clean record, have strong communication skills, live or work within 12 minutes of a fire station, and have reliable transportation.
What training do new firefighters receive?
New hires complete two years of initial training through the West Suburban Fire Academy, covering EMT certification, Firefighter I & II certification, hazardous materials operations, and fire apparatus operator certification.
How many stations does GVFD operate?
The department operates three fire stations: Station 1 (headquarters, built 1995), Station 2 (built 1979), and Station 3 (built 1980).
How many calls does the department respond to each year?
GVFD responds to more than 2,200 calls for service annually, including fires, medical emergencies, accidents, and mutual aid.