Fire Department · Career
Charlotte Fire Department
Charlotte, NC · Mecklenburg County
Largest fire department in North Carolina
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗The Charlotte Fire Department is a full-service urban fire and rescue agency serving North Carolina's largest city. It operates from 43 fire stations, two of which are dedicated to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, and covers roughly 320 square miles of a fast-growing metro area with more than 892,000 residents.
Beyond structural fire suppression, the department delivers emergency medical first response, technical and urban search and rescue, hazardous materials mitigation, aircraft rescue firefighting, fire prevention, and fire investigation. It holds an ISO Class 1 rating along with international accreditation, placing it among the most highly rated departments in the country.
Founded in 1875, Charlotte Fire has grown into one of the larger municipal departments in the Southeast, with a workforce well over a thousand personnel and a broad range of specialty teams.
Charlotte hires firefighters through periodic recruit cycles posted on the City of Charlotte's JobAps online employment center. Recruits are hired as paid, full-time students in a roughly 26-week Recruit School (Monday through Friday, about 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) that combines classroom instruction, hands-on training, and daily physical training.
The competitive selection process moves through application review, structured oral interviews, a written exam, a physical ability test, background and drug screening, and an NFPA 1582 medical examination. Candidates must be at least 18 with a high school diploma or GED and hold a valid driver's license, and must meet the department's tattoo and conduct standards.
Requirements
- At least 18 years old
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
- Valid driver's license (required before a conditional offer)
- Meet medical requirements of NFPA 1582 Chapter 6
- Pass a pre-employment drug screen
- No felony convictions or misdemeanors involving moral turpitude
- Comply with the department's body art / tattoo policy (no tattoos on the neck, face, head, or hands)
Hiring process
- Submit application through the JobAps online employment center during the open period
- Application review and eligibility determination
- Structured oral interviews
- Written examination
- Physical ability test (FPAT)
- Background check and drug screening
- NFPA 1582 medical examination
Benefits
Comprehensive City of Charlotte benefits package. Recruits earn a 5% pay incentive for an Associate's degree or 10% for a Bachelor's degree, plus a 5% incentive for qualifying military service (2+ years active duty or 6+ years Reserve/National Guard).
Approximately 26-week paid Recruit School, Monday-Friday about 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with classroom, hands-on training, and daily PT.
What are the basic requirements to become a Charlotte firefighter?
You must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or GED, have a valid driver's license before a conditional offer, and meet the medical requirements of NFPA 1582 Chapter 6.
How much do Charlotte Fire recruits earn?
The base starting salary for incoming Fire Fighter Recruits was $54,508 annually (2024-B cycle). Recruits can add a 5% incentive for an Associate's degree, 10% for a Bachelor's degree, and 5% for qualifying military service.
How long is the Charlotte Fire academy?
Recruit School runs approximately 26 weeks. Recruits are paid, full-time students attending Monday through Friday from roughly 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with classroom instruction, hands-on training, and daily physical training.
What is the hiring process?
After applying through the JobAps online employment center, candidates go through application review, structured oral interviews, a written exam, a physical ability test, a background check and drug screen, and an NFPA 1582 medical examination.
What shift schedule do Charlotte firefighters work?
Firefighters work 24-hour shifts on a three-platoon (A/B/C) rotation, averaging about 10 days per month including weekends and holidays.
Is there a tattoo policy?
Yes. Candidates must comply with the department's body art policy: no tattoos above the shirt collar (neck, face, or head) or below the wrist (hands), and no tattoos that are hateful, vulgar, drug-related, or otherwise offensive.