Fire Department · Career
Greensboro Fire Department
Greensboro, NC · Guilford County
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Department careers page ↗The Greensboro Fire Department is a full-career municipal department serving North Carolina's third-largest city. It operates 37 companies out of 27 fire stations and is staffed by more than 600 personnel who respond to nearly 40,000 emergency calls annually.
The department protects an area of roughly 144 square miles and a population of about 275,000, ranging from dense urban core to suburban neighborhoods. Beyond structural firefighting, it serves as a regional resource for hazardous materials and urban search and rescue under state contracts.
Greensboro is one of only a small number of departments nationwide to hold both a Class 1 ISO rating and international accreditation, reflecting a strong emphasis on training, professional standards, and measured performance.
The department traces its roots to an all-volunteer company formed in 1884 and transitioned to a career force in 1926.
MissionTo educate and serve people, protecting life, property, and the environment within every community entrusted to our care.
Greensboro hires firefighters through periodic recruit academies, with all applications submitted online through the iApplyGreensboro portal (a candidate account is required). Selection includes the Firefighters Abilities Test (FFAT), a suitability test, a panel interview, and a rigorous medical exam, drug screen, and background check.
Applicants who already hold NC Firefighter I & II, Haz-Mat Operations, and EMT-Basic certifications qualify for a signing bonus, and additional incentives are offered for college degrees, military service, and bilingual ability. New hires complete a roughly 24-week academy that combines fire and EMT training, followed by a six-month probationary period. New recruits train at the City's shared public safety training facility.
Requirements
- Minimum age 18 at time of application
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid driver's license with a reasonable driving record and no DWI convictions within 3 years of applying
- U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S.
- Pass the Firefighters Abilities Test (FFAT), Suitability Test, and panel interview
- Pass a medical examination, drug screen, and background check
- Corrected vision of 20/20 (uncorrected no worse than 20/100)
- Three references
Hiring process
- Submit an online application through the iApplyGreensboro portal
- Physical and written testing (Firefighters Abilities Test and Suitability Test)
- Panel interview
- Medical examination, drug screen, and background check
- Final selection
- Complete the recruit fire academy and a six-month probationary period
Benefits
Benefits include health, dental, and vision coverage; participation in the NC Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System (LGERS) plus a 401(k); 13 paid holidays, 11 vacation days, and 96 sick hours; maternity/paternity leave; and six weeks of paid caregiver leave after one year of service. Signing and incentive bonuses are available for relevant certifications ($2,500), an associate degree ($2,500), a bachelor's degree ($5,000), military service ($2,500), and bilingual ability (up to $2,500/year).
New recruits complete an approximately 24-week academy combining fire and EMT training with physical conditioning, followed by a six-month probationary period. Recruits train at the City's shared public safety training facility.
How do I apply to become a Greensboro firefighter?
Applications are accepted online only through the iApplyGreensboro portal, where you must create an account. The department hires in recruit-academy classes, so watch the Fire Department employment page for open testing periods.
What are the basic requirements to apply?
You must be at least 18 at the time of application, have a high school diploma or GED, hold a valid driver's license with no DWI convictions in the past 3 years, and be a U.S. citizen or authorized to work. You'll also need to pass the Firefighters Abilities Test, a suitability test, a panel interview, a medical exam, drug screen, and background check.
What does the job pay?
Starting base salary is about $49,724 and rises to roughly $58,170. Extra pay is available through signing bonuses for existing certifications and incentives for college degrees, military service, and bilingual ability.
What is the work schedule?
Firefighters work a 24-hours-on, 48-hours-off rotation.
Do I need to be certified before applying?
No, but candidates who already hold NC Firefighter I & II, Haz-Mat Operations, and EMT-Basic certifications qualify for a $2,500 signing bonus. All new hires complete the department's roughly 24-week academy with fire and EMT training.
Is there a probationary period?
Yes. After completing the recruit academy, new firefighters serve a six-month probationary period.