Fire Department · Career
Brentwood Fire & Rescue Department
Brentwood, TN · Williamson County
80+ member team across five stations
Brentwood Fire & Rescue serves the City of Brentwood, an affluent suburban community of roughly 46,000 residents just south of Nashville in Williamson County, Tennessee. Established in 1986 under its first chief, Dean Filer, the department has grown from a single station into a modern, multi-station career organization.
Today the department fields a team of more than 80 members and provides fire suppression, emergency medical, rescue, and public fire-education services across the city. It carries an ISO Class 2 rating and, in 2014, became only the 201st agency worldwide to earn Accredited Agency status from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International.
The department is led by Chief Brian Collins, who became the city's fifth fire chief in May 2025 after more than two decades of service in Brentwood, rising through the ranks from firefighter/paramedic to deputy chief.
Brentwood recruits both entry-level firefighter recruits and certified firefighters (FFII) through the City of Brentwood's employment portal, testing periodically as vacancies arise rather than continuously. Candidates must first clear a preliminary screening (a supplemental questionnaire covering age, education, citizenship, driver's license, and any firefighting experience) before being invited to a written exam and physical agility test.
Because the department hires certified firefighters with two or more years of paid structural experience at a higher pay step, experienced candidates from other departments are welcomed alongside new recruits. Watch the City of Brentwood careers page for the next posted testing date.
Requirements
- Minimum age 21
- Valid driver's license
- 60 or more college credit hours from a regionally accredited college/university, OR 30 or more credit hours plus 2 years of paid structural firefighting experience
- U.S. citizenship
- Medical certification: EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic
Hiring process
- Preliminary screening via supplemental questionnaire (education, experience, citizenship, age, driver's license)
- Written examination
- Physical agility test
- Further steps communicated to qualified applicants
Benefits
Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave; attendance and longevity bonuses; group health, dental, vision, and life insurance; short- and long-term disability; pension program; deferred compensation; tuition reimbursement; YMCA membership; and an employee assistance program. A 5% raise follows completion of the 12-month probationary period, plus a $500/year transportation supplement.
What are the minimum requirements to become a Brentwood firefighter?
You must be at least 21 years old, hold a valid driver's license, be a U.S. citizen, and hold a medical certification (EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic). Education-wise you need 60+ college credit hours, or 30+ credit hours combined with 2 years of paid structural firefighting experience.
How much do Brentwood firefighters earn?
Per the 2025 posting, recruit pay ranged from $55,526 (EMT) to $62,026 (Paramedic). Certified firefighters with 2+ years of experience earned $59,993 (EMT) up to $66,493 (Paramedic), plus a $500/year transportation supplement and a 5% raise after a 12-month probation.
What is the work schedule?
The department works a 48/96 schedule: 48 hours on duty followed by 96 hours off.
Does Brentwood hire experienced (lateral) firefighters?
Yes. The department posts certified Firefighter II positions for candidates with two or more years of paid structural firefighting experience at a higher starting pay step than entry-level recruits.
What does the hiring process involve?
Applicants first complete a supplemental questionnaire for preliminary screening, then qualified candidates are invited to a written exam and a physical agility test, with additional steps communicated by email.
How do I apply?
Applications are submitted through the City of Brentwood's employment portal. The department tests periodically as openings arise, so check the Fire and Rescue employment page for the next announced testing date.