Fire Department · Combination
Anacortes Fire Department
Anacortes, WA · Skagit County
“Integrity - Accountability - Empathy - Communication”
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗The Anacortes Fire Department serves the City of Anacortes on Fidalgo Island in Washington's Skagit County, along with nearby Guemes Island and unincorporated county and Swinomish Nation lands under contract. About 36% of its calls fall outside the city limits, reflecting a broad island-and-mainland service area.
The department operates three fire stations, all staffed around the clock, delivering both basic (BLS) and advanced life support (ALS). Its roughly 35 emergency responders are heavily paramedic-credentialed, with 20 firefighter/paramedics, 14 firefighter/EMTs, and a dedicated community paramedic.
EMS dominates the workload: of 4,767 total calls in 2024, 77% were EMS-related and the department completed more than 2,000 patient transports. Fire and rescue work rounds out the mission, including structure and vehicle fires, vegetation fires, hazmat incidents, and water and elevator rescues.
The department frames its work around service values of Honor, Courage, and Compassion, and emphasizes integrity, accountability, empathy, and communication in how it operates.
MissionTo serve our citizens in their times of need with Honor, Courage, and Compassion.
Anacortes hires career firefighters through Public Safety Testing. Prospective candidates complete their application and initial testing for full-time positions online at publicsafetytesting.com, which feeds the department's eligibility list.
Most line personnel are certified paramedics, though some EMT-level positions exist. For questions about the hiring process, candidates can contact the department at 360-293-1925.
Requirements
- Most positions require paramedic certification (some EMT-level positions available)
- Apply and complete initial testing through Public Safety Testing (publicsafetytesting.com)
Hiring process
- Complete an application through Public Safety Testing at publicsafetytesting.com
- Complete initial testing for full-time firefighter positions via Public Safety Testing
- Contact the department at 360-293-1925 with hiring questions
How do I apply to become a firefighter in Anacortes?
The department hires through Public Safety Testing. Complete your application and initial testing for full-time positions at publicsafetytesting.com, or call 360-293-1925 with questions.
What certifications do I need?
Most career firefighters in Anacortes are certified paramedics, though some EMT-level positions are available. The department's ranks include Firefighter, Lieutenant, and Chief Officer.
How big is the department and how is it staffed?
Anacortes operates three fire stations, all staffed 24 hours a day, with roughly 35 emergency responders including 20 firefighter/paramedics, 14 firefighter/EMTs, and a community paramedic. All stations provide both BLS and ALS.
What kind of calls would I respond to?
The workload is EMS-heavy: of 4,767 calls in 2024, 77% were EMS-related, with over 2,000 patient transports. Crews also handle structure and vehicle fires, vegetation fires, hazmat incidents, and water and elevator rescues across Anacortes, Fidalgo and Guemes Islands, and parts of Skagit County.
Past postings, kept for reference. These are no longer accepting applications.
Apply by July 7, 2026 for a Firefighter/EMT position with Anacortes Fire Department. Salary $103,434–$113,663 annually. EMT certification required.
Apply by July 7, 2026 for a $113,778–$127,303/year Firefighter/Paramedic position requiring at least 1 year of career experience and current WA State paramedic certification.