Fire Department · Combination
Western Lane Fire & EMS Authority
Florence, OR · Lane County
Staffed by 24 full-time employees, 20 part-time employees, and about 30 volunteer reserves (over 70 responders total). The fire response district covers roughly 110 square miles and about 14,000 residents; the larger EMS district covers roughly 700 square
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Department careers page ↗Western Lane Fire & EMS Authority (WLFEA) protects the central Oregon coast around Florence and Dunes City from a network of eight stations along Highway 101. The authority was formed on October 1, 2019, when the administrative offices of Siuslaw Valley Fire & Rescue — an all-hazards district dating to 1949 — and the Western Lane Ambulance District, which had provided EMS since 1976, combined into a single agency. That merger unified fire suppression, wildland response, and advanced life support ambulance transport under one command structure while preserving each legacy district's coverage area.
Today WLFEA answers roughly 6,500 calls a year with a mixed staff of career and part-time personnel backed by a large volunteer reserve corps, reflecting the rural-coastal reality of covering a fire district of about 110 square miles and an EMS district stretching to roughly 700 square miles. The agency runs its own recruit academy for volunteer firefighters and has expanded into community paramedicine through a Mobile Integrated Health program that follows up with high-risk patients after hospital discharge, aiming to keep frequent EMS users healthier at home and reduce unnecessary 911 calls.
MissionServing our community and visitors with quick, safe, efficient, and effective delivery of emergency services and community education, with the highest standards of excellence and compassion.
WLFEA's primary path into the department is its volunteer firefighter program, which trains new recruits through an in-house academy and leads to regular shift assignments at district stations. The authority also periodically hires paid positions such as Firefighter/EMT, Firefighter/Paramedic, Paramedic, and Mobile Integrated Health Technician when openings arise.
Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Willingness to undergo strenuous physical training and activity
- Commitment to complete cost-free, in-depth training
- Pass a criminal background and reference check
- Successful completion of a medical and physical screening
- Pass pre-employment drug screening
Hiring process
- Submit a complete application package: cover letter, WLFEA application form, and copies of required licenses/certifications
- First review of applications
- Physical agility test
- Assessment center, oral board, and written exams
- Chief's interview
- Civil Service Commission approval of the hiring list
- Conditional offer of employment
- Medical evaluation, background check, and psychological evaluation
- Start date and onboarding
Benefits
Full-time positions include health, dental, and vision insurance, a retirement plan, paid time off, parental leave, a health savings account, and an employee assistance program.
Volunteer recruit academy runs 120-150 hours, combining web-based coursework during the week with hands-on practical sessions on Fridays and Saturdays; additional training includes wildland S-130/190 (24 hrs), awareness/operations (32 hrs), regular drills (96 hrs), specialized training (about 48 hrs), and Emergency Medical Responder coursework (48 hrs). WLFEA describes the first-year time commitment as similar to a part-time job.
How do I become a firefighter with Western Lane Fire & EMS Authority?
WLFEA's main path in is its volunteer firefighter program: applicants must be at least 18, willing to complete strenuous physical training, and commit to an in-house recruit academy (120-150 hours) before signing up for shifts at a district station.
What are the requirements to join WLFEA?
Candidates must be 18 or older, able to pass physical/medical screening, a background check and drug screening, and willing to complete WLFEA's cost-free training academy.
Does WLFEA hire paramedics or laterals?
Yes. WLFEA posts paid Firefighter/EMT, Firefighter/Paramedic, and Paramedic openings as they arise, and has also hired for a Mobile Integrated Health Technician role for experienced EMS providers.
What does the WLFEA hiring process look like?
A typical hiring cycle includes an application package review, a physical agility test, an assessment center with oral board and written exams, a chief's interview, Civil Service Commission approval, a conditional offer, and medical/background/psychological clearance before a start date.
How many fire stations does WLFEA operate?
WLFEA operates eight stations throughout its Florence, Oregon-area district, including Central Station #1 on Highway 101 and stations at 9th Street, Old Town, Sutton, Canary, North Fork, Oak Street, and Clear Lake.