Fire Department · Career
Albemarle Fire Department
Albemarle, NC · Stanly County
42 full-time and 2 part-time personnel across three divisions: Fire Suppression, Fire Prevention, and Administration.
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗The Albemarle Fire Department (AFD) is the career fire department serving the City of Albemarle, North Carolina, running emergency response out of three firehouses positioned on the east, west, and north sides of the city. The department is organized into three divisions: Fire Suppression, which staffs apparatus around the clock; Fire Prevention, led by the Fire Marshal and responsible for code enforcement, public fire-safety education, and emergency management; and Administration, headed by the Fire Chief, who oversees daily operations, budget, and long-range planning for the department.
AFD's fire suppression personnel work a traditional 24-hours-on, 48-hours-off schedule across three shifts, each led by a battalion chief with a captain assigned to every station. Beyond emergency response, the department runs community outreach programs — fire truck tours, station visits, and safety presentations for schools, churches, and civic groups — plus a free home smoke-alarm check and replacement service for city residents. AFD is also known regionally for standing up its own Firefighter Cadet Academy, an in-house training pathway that has drawn recognition from the Centralina Regional Council of Governments for cross-community collaboration.
The City of Albemarle recruits entry-level firefighters jointly with the cities of Concord and Salisbury and the Town of Harrisburg through the Carolina Fire Recruitment Alliance, a shared testing process that lets candidates take a single CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) and written exam to be considered by multiple North Carolina departments at once. Passing candidates are placed on a regional eligibility list used to fill vacancies as they arise; applicants must still apply separately to each department they want to work for. New hires who aren't already state-certified can enter AFD's own Firefighter Cadet Academy, an 18-week course of classroom and hands-on field instruction taught by AFD members and outside skill specialists, leading to North Carolina State Firefighter Certification and formal sworn appointment to the department.
Hiring process
- Apply through the joint Carolina Fire Recruitment Alliance process shared with Concord, Harrisburg, and Salisbury
- Complete the CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test)
- Complete a written examination
- Placement on a regional eligibility list used to fill vacancies as they occur
- New hires without certification attend the City of Albemarle Firefighter Cadet Academy (18 weeks) to earn NC State Firefighter Certification and be sworn in
The City of Albemarle Firefighter Cadet Academy is an 18-week in-house course combining classroom instruction and hands-on field training, taught by Albemarle Fire Department members and outside skill specialists. Graduates earn their North Carolina State Firefighters Certification and are sworn into the fire service. In 2023 the Academy was recognized by the Centralina Regional Council of Governments as an example of outstanding cross-community collaboration.
How do I become a firefighter with the Albemarle Fire Department?
Albemarle recruits jointly with Concord, Harrisburg, and Salisbury through the Carolina Fire Recruitment Alliance. Candidates complete a single CPAT and written exam to be considered by all four departments and are then placed on a regional eligibility list used to fill vacancies. Applicants who aren't yet certified can enter Albemarle's own 18-week Firefighter Cadet Academy to earn North Carolina State Firefighter Certification and be sworn in.
What is the City of Albemarle Firefighter Cadet Academy?
It's AFD's in-house 18-week training course combining classroom instruction with hands-on field training, taught by department members and outside skill specialists. Cadets who complete it earn NC State Firefighter Certification and are sworn into the department. The Academy was recognized in 2023 by the Centralina Regional Council of Governments for cross-community collaboration.
How many fire stations does the Albemarle Fire Department have?
Three: Fire Station 1 at 1610 East Main Street, Fire Station 2 at 607 Concord Road, and Fire Station 3 at 209 Northeast Connector, covering the east, west, and north sides of the city.
How many firefighters work for the Albemarle Fire Department?
AFD has 42 full-time and 2 part-time personnel. The 39-person Fire Suppression Division works three shifts of 24 hours on, 48 hours off, with 10-13 firefighters per shift supervised by a battalion chief.
Who is the Fire Chief of the Albemarle Fire Department?
Kenny Kendall (Kenneth C. Kendall, Jr.) has served as Fire Chief since 2024. He joined AFD in December 1994, made Captain in 2005, Battalion Chief in 2011, and Assistant Fire Chief in 2022, and helped found the department's Firefighter Cadet Academy.