Fire Department · Combination
Frederick County Fire And Rescue
Winchester, VA · Frederick County
101 uniformed career staff and 8 office staff support the department's 11 volunteer fire and rescue companies; each station keeps a minimum of 2 to 5 career personnel on duty 24 hours a day, supplemented by volunteer members when available.
No active openings right now
Watch this department to be notified when Frederick County Fire And Rescue is hiring, or check their careers page.
Department careers page ↗Frederick County Fire and Rescue Department delivers fire suppression and emergency medical services across Frederick County, Virginia, coordinating operations out of eleven volunteer fire and rescue companies at Stations 11 through 21, from Stephens City and Middletown in the south to Gainesboro, Star Tannery, and Cross Junction in the county's rural west. Each station is staffed 24 hours a day by a mix of career and volunteer personnel, with career crews sized to each station's call volume.
The department's uniformed career force works alongside its volunteer companies under a single Fire and Rescue Chief, with the organization split into Operations, Administrative Services, Life Safety/Fire Marshal's Office, Support, and Emergency Management divisions. Beyond emergency response, the department runs its own in-house Basic Fire and Basic EMS Academies and a Regional Training Center, maintains a Fire Marshal's Office with a canine unit and code-enforcement staff, and coordinates the county's emergency management and Alert FREDCOVA notification program.
Community-facing programs include a Fire and Life Safety education unit, a free smoke-alarm installation program run with the Virginia Department of Health, an Honor Guard, and Explorer Post 154 for young people interested in the fire service.
MissionThe Frederick County Fire and Rescue Department is dedicated to providing quality and cost effective services that protect our citizens, their property, and our environment from the effects of fire, medical emergencies, technological hazards, and man-made or natural disasters which pose a threat to our community. The volunteer and career members of our Department shall uphold high personal and professional standards and always act with a sense of cooperation, respect and compassion for every member of the public and each member of the organization. Above all else, our department shall hold as sacred the obligation to be responsible custodians of the public trust and in every circumstance shall always act in the public's best interest.
Frederick County Fire and Rescue hires firefighter/EMTs through periodic testing cycles that the department announces on its own social media and other outlets rather than continuously; new hires then complete a 26-week Recruit School earning Virginia/National Registry EMT and Virginia ProBoard Firefighter certification.
Requirements
- Must be eligible to become certified as a Virginia EMS Provider (no disqualifying items in background)
- Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record per Frederick County Human Resources driving policy
- Must pass a written examination with a score of 60% or higher
- Must complete the physical agility test (7 stages) within 12:30
- Must pass a panel interview, polygraph examination, background/criminal/credit check, and medical clearance physical
Hiring process
- Submit application through Frederick County Human Resources during an announced hiring process
- Application review by Human Resources for disqualifying items
- Written examination (general aptitude; 60% minimum to advance)
- Physical agility test (7 stages, 12:30 time limit)
- Panel interview with Fire and Rescue Department officers
- Contingent offer and authorization packet
- Background check and driving record screening
- Polygraph examination
- Medical clearance physical examination (including cardiovascular evaluation)
- 26-week Recruit School (Virginia/National Registry EMT and Virginia/ProBoard Firefighter certification)
New hires attend a 26-week Recruit School and earn Virginia/National Registry EMT and Virginia/ProBoard Firefighter certification; candidates with prior certifications also attend but receive continuing-education credit and remedial training instead of full certification coursework.
How do I become a firefighter with Frederick County?
The department periodically opens a hiring process and announces it on its own social media pages and other outlets; interested applicants can view current openings and the full hiring process on the Employment Opportunities page.
What stations have career staff?
Frederick County has eleven (11) volunteer stations throughout the county, all staffed with a minimum of 2 to 5 career personnel (depending on the station) 24 hours a day; volunteer personnel also assist with staffing stations when available.
Do the stations install smoke detectors?
Yes. Residents can request a smoke alarm assessment, and the Virginia Department of Health has partnered with Frederick County Fire and Rescue to install free smoke detectors in the homes of qualifying families.
How can I obtain a copy of a fire or EMS report?
Incident reports fall under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Requests must be submitted in writing (by mail or fax to 1080 Coverstone Drive, Winchester, VA 22602) specifying incident details; EMS report requests must include a signed patient authorization form.