Fire Department · Career
Eugene Springfield Fire
Eugene, OR · Lane County
Over 180 firefighters plus roughly 30 non-sworn staff serve a combined Eugene/Springfield population of more than 150,000 across 16 stations.
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Department careers page ↗Eugene Springfield Fire traces its roots to April 3, 1872, when seven volunteers formed the Eugene Hook and Ladder Company No. 1. The department grew steadily through the 20th century, adding stations, taking over ambulance service in 1981 after a private provider withdrew, and earning a NAEMT 'Paramedic Service of the Year' award in 1985. In 2005 it achieved accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI).
Starting with an automatic-aid agreement and a joint 3-Battalion System formalized in 2007, Eugene and Springfield moved toward full consolidation, entering an intergovernmental agreement on July 1, 2010 to merge administrative leadership. Operational integration followed over the next several years -- fire prevention and investigation merged in 2011, ambulance billing consolidated in 2013 -- culminating in a full operational merger by August 2014, with crews from both cities now working side by side in all 16 stations across the metro area.
Today the department operates 11 stations in Eugene and 5 in Springfield, including a dedicated airport fire station and a station on the University of Oregon campus, dispatching the closest available unit regardless of city jurisdiction under unified Metro standard operating procedures.
MissionServe our communities by protecting life, preserving property and the environment through prevention, education, rescue, fire suppression, and emergency medical services.
Eugene Springfield Fire hires firefighter/paramedics, apprentices, single-role medical technicians, and BLS techs through the City of Eugene's recruitment system, with a distinct process from general city and police hiring. Entry-level firefighter/paramedic candidates need Oregon paramedic certification plus either two years of fire/EMS-related experience or an associate's degree in fire science or EMS; the department also runs a firefighter apprenticeship pathway and accepts lateral firefighter/paramedic transfers.
Requirements
- At least 18 years old with an acceptable driving record and valid Oregon driver's license
- High school diploma or equivalent
- No felony convictions
- No Class A misdemeanor convictions within 24 months of applying
- No tobacco use
- Oregon Paramedic certification
- Two years of experience in firefighting, EMS, or a related field, or an Associate's Degree in Fire Sciences/EMS
- Must pass the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)
Hiring process
- Submit online application during an open recruitment window
- Multiple-choice written exam
- Interview
- Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)
- Thorough background investigation
- Psychological evaluation
- Medical exam and drug screen
Benefits
Compensation, time off, and benefits are set through the City of Eugene and City of Springfield, with firefighters represented by IAFF Local 851.
New hires attend an 11-week, 440-hour recruit academy combining classroom instruction, drill-field exercises, EMS protocols, and fitness training. Graduates earn NFPA Firefighter I certification and receive additional training in rope rescue, water rescue, hazmat, aircraft firefighting, and wildland firefighting.
When was Eugene Springfield Fire founded?
The department traces its origin to April 3, 1872, when seven volunteers formed the Eugene Hook and Ladder Company No. 1.
How many fire stations does the department operate?
16 stations total: 11 in Eugene and 5 in Springfield, including a dedicated airport station and one on the University of Oregon campus.
Are the Eugene and Springfield fire departments the same organization?
They are functionally consolidated. The two departments began merging administration in 2010 under an intergovernmental agreement and completed full operational integration by August 2014, dispatching the closest unit regardless of city lines.
What does the recruit academy involve?
An 11-week, 440-hour academy covering classroom lectures, drill-field exercises, EMS protocols, and fitness training, leading to NFPA Firefighter I certification plus rope rescue, water rescue, hazmat, aircraft firefighting, and wildland training.
What shift schedule do firefighters work?
Shifts run 24 hours on/72 hours off or 48 hours on/72 hours off across A, B, and C platoons, with Kelly days.