Fire Department · Combination
Arlington County Fire Department
Arlington, VA · Arlington County
No active openings right now
Watch this department to be notified when Arlington County Fire Department is hiring, or check their careers page.
Department careers page ↗The Arlington County Fire Department (ACFD) protects one of the most densely populated jurisdictions in Virginia, covering about 26 square miles directly across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. It is an all-hazards, career department providing fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazardous materials response, and technical rescue.
The department operates nine fire stations with a workforce of roughly 375 employees and about 350 uniformed personnel serving a resident population of around 230,000, plus the large daytime workforce drawn to Arlington's office and transit corridors.
Given its high-rise districts, major highways, transit infrastructure, and Potomac riverfront, ACFD maintains specialized capabilities in technical rescue, hazardous materials, and water/marine operations alongside its core fire and EMS mission.
Arlington's professional firefighters are represented by IAFF Local 2800.
Arlington County hires entry-level Firefighter/EMT recruits on scheduled recruitment cycles rather than continuously; the Fire Department's employment page posts updates when a recruit process opens. Candidates apply through the county's careers portal and move through a multi-step selection process before entering the department's fire training academy.
The department also runs a separate lateral hiring process for already-certified firefighters. Lateral candidates must hold prior firefighter/EMT certification and have at least two years of full-time experience as a firefighter/EMT at the time of application.
Requirements
- Firefighter/EMT recruit positions require entry through the county's scheduled recruit hiring process
- Lateral applicants must hold prior certification as a firefighter/EMT
- Lateral applicants must have at least two years of full-time experience as a firefighter/EMT at time of application
Hiring process
- Apply through the Arlington County careers portal during an open recruitment
- Complete the multi-step Firefighter/EMT recruit selection process (subject to posted disqualifiers)
- Attend and graduate from the Arlington County Fire Training Academy
Benefits
As Arlington County employees, firefighters receive county benefits, and pay and working conditions are governed by the collective bargaining agreement between the county and the fire bargaining unit (IAFF Local 2800).
New hires complete training at the Arlington County Fire Training Academy through graduation before entering field service.
How do I become a firefighter with Arlington County?
Apply for a Firefighter/EMT recruit position through Arlington County's careers portal when a recruitment is open. The Fire Department's employment page posts updates on scheduled recruitment cycles.
Does Arlington accept lateral firefighters?
Yes. Arlington runs a separate lateral hiring process for experienced firefighters. You must hold prior firefighter/EMT certification and have at least two years of full-time experience as a firefighter/EMT at the time of application.
Is hiring continuous or on a schedule?
Entry-level Firefighter/EMT recruit hiring runs on scheduled recruitment cycles rather than year-round, so check the Fire Department employment page for the current status.
Is there a training academy?
Yes. New hires attend the Arlington County Fire Training Academy and must complete training through graduation before entering field operations.
What kind of calls will I run?
ACFD is an all-hazards department providing fire, EMS, hazardous materials, and technical rescue response, with additional water, marine, and dive rescue capabilities across a dense 26-square-mile urban area.
How is pay determined?
Firefighter pay follows the fire bargaining unit salary schedule established under the collective bargaining agreement between Arlington County and IAFF Local 2800.