Fire Department · Career
Durham Fire Department
Durham, NC · Durham County
Durham Fire Department seeks an EMT Coordinator with a minimum salary of $52,903 annually. Requires 4 years of EMT experience and ongoing training coordination.
The Durham Fire Department is hiring a Fire Equipment Mechanic with an annual salary range of $57,228–$88,775. Apply continuously as this position is open until filled.
The Durham Fire Department is a full-time career department protecting the City of Durham, North Carolina, describing itself as one of the most progressive fire departments in the state. It operates 19 fire stations staffed by more than 400 trained members.
The workload is heavily medical: over 65% of the department's calls are for Emergency Medical Services, and the ranks include more than 150 Basic EMTs and over 200 Advanced EMTs. Beyond emergency response, the department completes roughly 9,000 building inspections each year through its fire prevention work.
Training is a continuous commitment, with sworn employees completing 200 or more hours of drills and classes annually. Crews work a 24-hour shift schedule across three platoons (A, B, and C shifts).
Durham hires through two pathways: an entry-level Fire Recruit process for candidates with no firefighting experience, and a lateral / accelerated-lateral track for already-certified firefighters. Entry-level candidates move through a written cognitive test and physical agility assessment, interviews, medical physicals, and a background investigation before entering a paid academy; the 2026 cycle runs interviews in June, physicals in July, an academy starting in September, and graduation in April 2027.
Certified firefighters can apply as laterals if they have recent full-time paid experience and hold NC Firefighter I and II (or IFSAC/ProBoard equivalents), HazMat, EMT, and NIMS certifications. Applications and required documents are handled through the City of Durham careers portal; recruitment questions go to the department's recruitment email.
Requirements
- At least 18 years old by hire/academy start date
- High school diploma or equivalency (GED, HiSET, TASC) by hire date
- Valid, unrestricted Class C driver's license before testing (NC license within 60 days for NC residents)
- Legally authorized to work in the U.S. (I-9 documentation required)
- No felony convictions and no DWI/DUI within the past 4 years
- No firefighting experience or certifications required for entry-level recruits
Hiring process
- Assemble required documents and submit application via the City careers portal
- Written cognitive test and physical agility assessment (bring release of liability form and driver's license copy)
- Interviews
- Medical physical examination
- Extensive background investigation and drug testing
Benefits
Health, dental, and specialty insurance options with coverage beginning the first of the month following hire. Retirement includes a 401(k) with 5% employer contribution and an optional 457 plan with 5% matching. Academy recruits receive full tuition and book funding. Pay includes annual performance-based increases, education incentives (2.5% for an Associate's, 5% for a Bachelor's), and a $1,000 annual bilingual bonus for fluency in Spanish or sign language.
Paid academy with full tuition and book funding; separate academy schedules for entry-level and lateral candidates. Academy vaccine requirements follow Duke University Health System standards.
What are the minimum requirements to become a Durham firefighter?
You must be at least 18 by the hire/academy start date, have a high school diploma or equivalent, hold a valid unrestricted Class C driver's license, be legally authorized to work in the U.S., and have no felony convictions and no DWI/DUI in the past 4 years. No prior firefighting experience or certifications are required for entry-level recruits.
Do I need firefighting experience or certifications to apply?
No. Entry-level Fire Recruit applicants need no firefighting experience or certifications. Durham also runs a separate lateral track for already-certified firefighters.
What does a Durham firefighter earn?
Starting pay is non-negotiable and paid biweekly, with annual performance-based increases. Lateral firefighters start at $53,353 and accelerated laterals at $58,822. Extra pay includes education incentives (2.5% for an Associate's, 5% for a Bachelor's) and a $1,000 bilingual bonus.
What is the work schedule?
Firefighters work ten 24-hour shifts per month (7 a.m. to 7 a.m.) on A, B, or C shift, following a pattern of 9 days on and 6 consecutive days off.
Does Durham hire lateral firefighters?
Yes. Certified firefighters who have worked full-time within the last 9 months can apply as laterals if they hold NC Firefighter I and II (or IFSAC/ProBoard equivalents), HazMat, EMT, and NIMS certifications. An accelerated lateral track exists for those with 4+ years of experience and additional qualifications.
How do I apply?
Assemble the required documents and apply through the City of Durham careers portal (durhamnc.gov/3774). Recruitment questions can be directed to the department's recruitment email listed on the recruit information page.