Fire Department · Combination
Bradley County Fire - Rescue
Cleveland, TN · Bradley County
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗Bradley County Fire Rescue traces its origins to 1958, when a drowning at Parksville Lake led local funeral directors, doctors, and business owners to form the Bradley County Rescue Squad using donated equipment and their own vehicles. A separate volunteer fire department was organized in 1993 with five new stations, and the department began professionalizing in 2000 with its first full-time Fire Chief and Fire Inspector, followed by the hiring of 12 full-time firefighters at headquarters in 2005. The rescue squad and fire department merged into a single, unified organization in 2007.
Today BCFR operates out of 13 fire stations plus a dedicated training center, split between 8 career and 5 volunteer houses, covering the city of Cleveland and the surrounding rural areas of Bradley County. The original rescue boat used in the 1958 Parksville Lake search still hangs at department headquarters as a reminder of the agency's volunteer roots.
The department is led by Fire Chief Jeff Stewart, who was appointed in December 2023 after rising through the ranks from volunteer firefighter, and organizes its response coverage into battalions under a command staff that includes a Deputy Chief, Fire Inspector, and Training Chief.
MissionProtecting Lives Protecting Property
Career firefighter openings are posted on the department's website, social media, the Bradley County government site, and local newspapers when open; applications were closed at time of review. The hiring process runs a minimum 30-day open application period followed by a written exam, physical agility test, command staff interview, conditional job offer, and drug screening before new hires attend the fire academy.
Requirements
- At least 18 years old
- High school diploma or GED
- Good physical condition, verified by a doctor's report
- Valid Tennessee driver's license with no suspensions in the past 24 months
- No felony convictions within the past 10 years
- No DUI within the past 24 months
- 6-month probationary period upon hire, with possible extension
Hiring process
- Submit application during a minimum 30-day open period (late submissions not accepted)
- Written exam (must score 70 or higher to advance)
- Physical agility test: seven obstacles in full PPE within 5 minutes
- Interview with command staff
- Conditional job offer from the Fire Chief or Deputy Chief
- Drug screening
- Fire academy attendance
Benefits
All training and education provided, including an incentive program for maintaining training and specialized team training in hazmat, technical rescue, and other disciplines. Health, dental, and life insurance, plus paid time off.
New hires attend the department's fire academy after a conditional job offer and drug screening.
How many fire stations does Bradley County Fire Rescue operate?
The department operates 13 fire stations (8 career and 5 volunteer) plus a dedicated training center, covering more than 300 square miles around Cleveland, Tennessee.
When was Bradley County Fire Rescue founded?
The department traces its roots to 1958, when a drowning at Parksville Lake led community members to form the Bradley County Rescue Squad. The fire and rescue operations merged into a single department in 2007.
What are the minimum requirements to become a career firefighter?
Applicants must be at least 18 with a high school diploma or GED, be in good physical condition, hold a valid Tennessee driver's license with no suspensions in the past 24 months, and have no felony convictions within 10 years or DUI within 24 months.
What does the hiring process involve?
After a minimum 30-day application period, candidates take a written exam (70+ to pass) and a timed physical agility test in full PPE, then interview with command staff before receiving a conditional offer, passing a drug screen, and attending the fire academy.
Does Bradley County Fire Rescue use volunteer firefighters?
Yes. Alongside career staff at 8 stations, the department maintains 5 volunteer stations, continuing a tradition that dates back to its founding as an all-volunteer rescue squad.