Fire Department · Career
Chesapeake Fire Department
Chesapeake, VA · Chesapeake (city) County
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Department careers page ↗The Chesapeake Fire Department serves more than 240,000 residents across 353 square miles in southeastern Virginia, a mix of dense urban neighborhoods, suburbs, and rural countryside. Its more than 500 members respond to over 34,000 calls a year, roughly three-quarters of them emergency medical.
Organized into three battalions and 15 fire stations, the department runs an integrated operation spanning fire suppression, rescue, EMS, hazardous materials, technical rescue, and marine incident response. It describes itself as a "unique and diverse" organization with a strong prevention and community-engagement focus.
Beyond emergency response, the department invests in community risk reduction, fire and life safety education, arson investigation, mobile integrated healthcare, and emergency management, alongside programs like CERT and child safety seat installations.
MissionTo Protect and Improve your Quality of Life By Providing Responsive and Caring Service.
Chesapeake hires firefighters through a competitive civil-service process: a written entrance examination, the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), and a panel interview, after which qualified candidates are placed on an eligibility list. New hires attend an approximately seven-month recruit academy and must earn state EMT certification during training.
Applications are handled through the City of Chesapeake employment portal and Human Resources. Prospective candidates can also submit a Candidate Interest Card to be notified when the department is hiring.
Requirements
- At least 18 years old at time of application
- U.S. citizen
- High school graduate or GED equivalent
- Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record
- No felony convictions or convictions involving dishonesty, deceit, or immorality
- Must become a state-certified emergency medical technician (EMT) during training
Hiring process
- Pass the written entrance examination
- Complete the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)
- Participate in a panel interview
- Placement on the eligibility list
- Complete the approximately seven-month recruit academy (including EMT certification)
Benefits
Benefits include health insurance, paid retirement, life insurance, educational incentive pay, college tuition reimbursement for select majors, and continual training. Career advancement paths include command ranks (firefighter to lieutenant, captain, battalion chief) and a firefighter-to-master-firefighter track, with options in the Fire Prevention or Training divisions.
Approximately seven-month recruit school covering fire engine operation, search and rescue, ladders, structural firefighting, hazardous materials, and fire/arson investigation, plus emergency medical training; state EMT certification is mandatory.
What are the basic requirements to become a Chesapeake firefighter?
You must be at least 18 at application, a U.S. citizen, a high school graduate or GED holder, and hold a valid driver's license with an acceptable record. You cannot have felony convictions or convictions involving dishonesty or deceit, and you must become a state-certified EMT during training.
What is the hiring process?
Candidates pass a written entrance examination, complete the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), and participate in a panel interview. Those who succeed are placed on an eligibility list from which the department hires.
How long is the fire academy?
Recruit school runs approximately seven months and covers structural firefighting, search and rescue, ladders, hazardous materials, and fire investigation, along with emergency medical training. State EMT certification is required.
What schedule do firefighters work?
Firefighters work 24-hour shifts (7 a.m. to 7 a.m.), averaging about ten shifts per month within a 21-day cycle, with one to five days off between assignments.
How do I apply?
Apply through the City of Chesapeake employment portal at jobs.cityofchesapeake.net or contact Human Resources at 757-382-6492. You can also submit a Candidate Interest Card to be notified when hiring opens.
What pay and benefits are offered?
Starting salary is described as competitive with other area departments. Benefits include health insurance, paid retirement, life insurance, educational incentive pay, and college tuition reimbursement for select majors.