Fire Department · Combination
Rockingham County Department Of Fire & Rescue
Harrisonburg, VA · Rockingham County
Combination system: ~530 volunteers plus a career staff of roughly 100-150 full-time personnel
No active openings right now
Watch this department to be notified when Rockingham County Department Of Fire & Rescue is hiring, or check their careers page.
Department careers page ↗Rockingham County Department of Fire & Rescue protects life and property across this Shenandoah Valley county in western Virginia, surrounding (but separate from) the city of Harrisonburg. It runs as a combination system, blending a large volunteer base of fire departments and rescue squads with a full-time career workforce.
The department reports approximately 530 volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel alongside a career staff of roughly 100 to 150 full-time employees plus part-time staff. Career crews staff nine fire and rescue stations, with some houses on 12-hour daytime coverage (Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and others on round-the-clock 24-hour shifts.
The county is actively expanding toward continuous coverage: new combination stations at Fulks Run and Dayton were built to add 24/7 staffing. Beyond suppression and EMS, the department fields a deep bench of specialized teams, and runs community risk-reduction programs including free smoke alarms, home safety visits, school fire education, and youth firesetter intervention.
Missionprotection of life and property from fire and other emergencies within the confines of Rockingham County
Rockingham County hires career Fire & Rescue Recruits through the county's central Employment Opportunities / Human Resources job portal, where postings are typically listed "open until filled." Candidates can subscribe to job-posting notifications on the county website to be alerted when new firefighter openings go live.
Applications are submitted through the county's online jobs system rather than directly to the fire department. Prospective volunteers can also join through the county's volunteer fire departments and rescue squads.
How do I apply to become a career firefighter with Rockingham County?
Career Fire & Rescue Recruit positions are posted on the county's Employment Opportunities / Human Resources jobs portal and applied for online through the county, not directly through the fire department. You can subscribe to job-posting notifications on the county website to be alerted when firefighter openings are available.
Is the department currently hiring?
The county has posted career Fire & Rescue Recruit openings that are listed "open until filled," so recruitment runs on a continuous basis. Check the county Employment Opportunities page for the current status.
What schedule do career firefighters work?
Staffing varies by station. Some career crews provide 12-hour daytime coverage (Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.), while other stations operate on 24-hour shifts with round-the-clock coverage. New stations have been added to expand 24/7 staffing.
Is this a career department or a volunteer department?
It is a combination system. Roughly 530 volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel work alongside a full-time career staff. Both career employment and volunteer opportunities are available.
What kinds of specialized response does the department do?
Beyond fire suppression and EMS, the department supports specialized teams including swift-water rescue, dive/water rescue, a regional hazardous materials team, technical rescue, search and rescue, and wildland firefighting.
Can I volunteer instead of being hired as career staff?
Yes. The department is built around a large volunteer base of fire departments and rescue squads across the county, and it actively recruits volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel in addition to career staff.