Fire Department · Career
West Valley City Fire Department
West Valley City, UT · Salt Lake County
More than 114 firefighters staff the department's six fire stations (Stations 71-76).
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗West Valley City Fire Department has grown alongside its Utah community since the city's incorporation, evolving from a small municipal outfit into a full-service combination department. Today more than 114 firefighters work out of six stations (71 through 76), handling structural fire suppression, hazardous materials response, and paramedic-level ambulance transport, a service the department added in September 2005 to bring advanced life support directly to residents.
Beyond emergency response, the department's Fire Prevention and Inspections Division conducts business inspections, enforces fire code, investigates fires and incidents, and issues hazardous-materials and recreational-burning permits. Its community education arm runs a Youth Fire Setter intervention program alongside CERT, CPR, and Stop the Bleed training, sending firefighters into local schools to teach fire safety directly to residents.
For recruits, the department offers a defined path from application to career firefighter: a 10-week in-house fire academy awards Fire I & II and Hazmat Operations/Awareness certifications, and firefighters build careers under the Utah State Public Safety Retirement System with structured pay increases through the ranks.
West Valley City Fire Department hires firefighter/EMTs through an annual cycle that combines a written aptitude test, an eight-component physical ability test, and two rounds of interviews before a conditional job offer. New hires complete a 10-week in-house fire academy that awards Fire I & II and Hazmat Operations/Awareness certifications, with academy sessions run tentatively in late August and early March each year.
Requirements
- At least 18 years old by the application deadline
- Valid state driver's license
- High school diploma or G.E.D.
- Certified or currently enrolled in an EMT training/certification program, with NREMT certification required prior to August 15
Hiring process
- Application review
- Written aptitude test
- Physical ability test (8 components, including agility ladder, rope pull, sled, and hose drag)
- Preliminary interview
- Chief's panel interview
- Conditional job offer
- Medical exam, background check, and drug screening
- Final offer
Benefits
Utah State Public Safety Retirement System membership, 11 hours of PTO per pay period, 156 hours of paid holiday time annually, exemption from Social Security tax, health/dental/vision plan options, and access to peer support plus an on-staff mental health counselor.
New hires attend a 10-week in-house Fire Academy earning Fire I & II and Hazmat Operations/Awareness certifications; sessions run tentatively in late August and early March each year.
How do I become a firefighter with West Valley City Fire Department?
Apply during the department's annual recruitment window through its Paylocity recruiting portal, then complete a written aptitude test, an eight-component physical ability test, a preliminary interview, and a chief's panel interview before receiving a conditional offer and completing a medical exam, background check, and drug screening.
What are the minimum requirements to apply to West Valley City Fire Department?
Applicants must be at least 18 years old by the application deadline, hold a valid state driver's license and a high school diploma or G.E.D., and be certified in or currently enrolled in an EMT program, with NREMT certification required prior to August 15.
Does West Valley City Fire Department require EMT or paramedic certification?
Yes. Candidates must be EMT-certified or currently attending an EMT training program, with NREMT certification required before August 15; the department has provided paramedic-level ambulance transport since September 2005.
How many fire stations does West Valley City Fire Department operate?
The department operates six fire stations, numbered Stations 71 through 76, staffed by more than 114 firefighters.
What benefits does West Valley City Fire Department offer new firefighters?
Benefits include membership in the Utah State Public Safety Retirement System, PTO and paid holiday time, health/dental/vision plan options, Social Security tax exemption, and peer support with an on-staff mental health counselor.