Fire Department · Career
Concord Fire Department
Concord, NC · Cabarrus County
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Department careers page ↗Concord Fire traces its roots to December 21, 1900, when the City of Concord established fire protection as a municipal function, formalizing earlier volunteer bucket brigades and horse-drawn hose and hook-and-ladder companies -- including the Concord Hook and Ladder Company, whose membership was entirely African-American. The department grew alongside the city's textile and industrial boom, moving from hand-drawn equipment and fire horses to the modern, fully career organization it is today.
Today Concord Fire operates 12 fire stations and carries an ISO Class 1 rating, placing it among the top-rated fire protection systems in the country. The department covers a growing service area of more than 64 square miles and over 107,000 residents with roughly 288 total personnel under Fire Chief Jacob Williams and two deputy chiefs overseeing administration and operations.
Beyond structural firefighting, the department provides emergency medical first response (handing off transport to Cabarrus County EMS), fire and life-safety education, fire inspections and code enforcement, fire investigations, hazardous materials response, and specialized technical rescue. It also hosts its own regional recruit training academy for new hires.
MissionThe Concord Fire Department exists to reduce the loss of life and property, and to prevent injury to all shareholders and customers of the City of Concord. The Department partners with each City department and the community to provide effective and efficient fire suppression, emergency medical care, life safety education, fire inspections, code enforcement, fire investigations, hazardous materials response, and specialized rescue while maintaining a high level of training and personnel development.
Concord Fire hires firefighters through a six-step process run by the department and City of Concord HR: application, CPAT physical ability test, written examination, panel interview, and a chief's interview, followed by a conditional offer contingent on background check, medical physical, psychological evaluation, and drug screening. New hires attend the department's own 27-week regional recruit academy -- no prior fire service experience or certification is required.
Hiring process
- Complete application
- Complete and pass the CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test)
- Written examination
- Panel interview
- Chief's interview
- Conditional offer contingent on background check, medical physical, psychological evaluation, and drug screening
Benefits
Paid vacation, holiday, and sick leave; free access to an employee wellness center and onsite station fitness facilities; tuition reimbursement; life, health, dental, vision, and disability insurance with optional additional coverage; NC state retirement pension plus a 5% city-paid 401(k) contribution; an Employee Assistance Program with up to 10 free counseling sessions a year; annual merit and career-development raises; and a 24-on/48-off schedule that allows for secondary employment.
Concord Fire hosts its own NC Office of State Fire Marshal (NCOSFM)-qualified regional recruit academy bi-annually. The 27-week program covers all North Carolina firefighter certification requirements plus NC EMT certification; recruits are paid city employees and all training, equipment, and uniforms are provided.
Why do fire trucks respond to medical calls?
Fire stations are positioned throughout the community to get trained personnel to a fire or medical emergency within 5 minutes 90 percent of the time. Firefighters provide medical care ahead of Cabarrus County EMS and then assist paramedics until the patient is transported.
Does the City of Concord have volunteer firefighters?
No, the City of Concord does not have any volunteer firefighters. Residents interested in volunteering are directed to the nearest volunteer department to their residence.
Does Concord Fire allow ride-alongs?
Yes. Contact (704) 920-5516 for more information.
Is it OK to burn trash in a burn barrel?
No, burning trash is illegal in the City of Concord. Only outdoor fires for cooking purposes are allowed.
Where can I get phone numbers for individual fire stations?
For safety and security reasons individual station phone numbers aren't published. Non-emergency issues are handled through the department's main line, (704) 920-5516, Monday-Friday 8:00-5:00; all emergencies should go through 911.