Fire Department · Combination
Gatlinburg Fire Department
Gatlinburg, TN · Sevier County
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗Gatlinburg Fire Department traces back to a volunteer department organized September 16, 1946, under Dr. Ralph "Doc" Shilling; a paid department followed in 1969 with two stations and eight firefighters. Today the department runs three stations covering a roughly 238-square-mile response area that takes in a large portion of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, answering thousands of fire, EMS, and rescue calls a year in a city whose population swells with millions of tourists annually.
GFD is a Class A Advanced Life Support transport service, running ALS-staffed ambulances out of all three stations alongside engines, an aerial ladder, rescue and technical-rescue apparatus, a wildland unit, and a hazmat trailer. The department has been recognized nationally through the IAFC's Ready, Set, Go! program for its wildfire risk-reduction work, ranking among the top departments in the country for home-hardening assessments and fuel-reduction hours — a reflection of Gatlinburg's history with wildfire, including the catastrophic 2016 Chimney Tops 2 fire.
The Gatlinburg Fire Department hires through the City of Gatlinburg's centralized Human Resources office rather than a separate department application. Openings are posted on the city's job listings page as they come open, and firefighter/EMT and paramedic positions are among the roles the city regularly recruits for given the department's ALS-transport model.
Requirements
- Complete the City of Gatlinburg employment application (download/print or apply online)
- Submit application to City Hall Human Resources by the posted deadline (postmark accepted; faxed applications not accepted)
- EMT or Paramedic certification required or preferred for firefighter positions given the department's ALS ambulance service
Benefits
The City of Gatlinburg offers a competitive pay plan and benefits package to full-time classified employees, including 100% employer-paid medical, dental, long-term disability, and life insurance.
How do I become a firefighter with Gatlinburg Fire Department?
Firefighter positions are hired through the City of Gatlinburg's Human Resources office. Applicants complete the city employment application online or on paper and submit it to City Hall by the deadline listed on the posting; resumes may supplement but not replace the application.
Does Gatlinburg Fire Department hire EMTs and paramedics?
Yes. Gatlinburg Fire Department operates its own Class A Advanced Life Support ambulance service with ALS-staffed units at all three stations, so firefighters are commonly cross-trained as EMTs or paramedics.
How many fire stations does Gatlinburg Fire Department have?
Three: Station 1/Headquarters on East Parkway, Station 2 on Reagan Drive, and Station 3 on Ski Mountain Road.
What area does Gatlinburg Fire Department cover?
The department's response area is about 238 square miles, including much of the city of Gatlinburg and a large portion of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.