Fire Department · Career
Kirkland Fire Department
Kirkland, WA · King County
The Kirkland Fire Department (KFD) protects the City of Kirkland, a lakeside community in King County on the eastern shore of Lake Washington in the Seattle metropolitan area. It is a mostly career department that responds to fire, medical, rescue, and hazardous-materials emergencies across roughly 18 square miles.
KFD is an "all hazards" response organization. Beyond fire suppression, its responsibilities include hazardous materials, technical rescue, water rescue, emergency medical services, and emergency management. Emergency medical calls make up about 75% of the department's total call volume.
The department operates six fire stations with a staff of roughly 122, including career firefighters alongside a smaller number of volunteer and civilian personnel. Kirkland is actively investing in its facilities, including a new Fire Station 24, planned construction of Station 27, and renovations at existing stations to improve firefighter health, safety, and energy efficiency.
MissionTo save lives while serving our community.
Kirkland hires entry-level firefighters through Public Safety Testing (PST) rather than a direct city application. Candidates complete a PST written exam and a valid CPAT, then choose to release their scores to KFD; only scores submitted through PST are considered. The department accepts scores on a continuous basis but reviews them once a year in February, with the next round of interviews anticipated to begin February 2027.
The department also periodically recruits lateral firefighters (with several years of career or volunteer experience and current IFSAC/EMT certifications) and command staff such as Deputy Fire Chief, posted through the City of Kirkland's GovernmentJobs portal.
Requirements
- At least 19 years old
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid driver's license
- U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or otherwise authorized to work
- Able to read, speak, and write English
- Valid CPAT dated Feb 1, 2026 - Jan 31, 2027
- Public Safety Testing written exam score dated Feb 1, 2026 - Jan 31, 2027
- Meet LEOFF II vision standards
- No adult felony convictions and no juvenile felony convictions
- Lateral applicants: 3 years career (or 5 years volunteer/paid on-call) firefighting experience, Fire Academy within the last 7 years, IFSAC Firefighter I & II, Hazmat Awareness & Operations, and EMT certification
Hiring process
- Take the Public Safety Testing (PST) written examination
- Complete a CPAT physical ability assessment
- Release your PST and CPAT scores to Kirkland Fire Department
- Scores reviewed annually in February
- Chief's interview for advancing candidates
- Complete a Personal History Statement
- Conditional offer and pre-employment screening
Benefits
Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for the employee and dependents, life insurance, LEOFF 2 retirement, deferred compensation plans, and sick, vacation, and holiday leave.
How do I apply to become a Kirkland firefighter?
Kirkland hires entry-level firefighters through Public Safety Testing (PST). You take the PST written exam and obtain a valid CPAT, then release your scores to Kirkland Fire Department. An application directly with the City is not required for entry-level firefighter; only scores submitted through PST are considered.
What are the minimum requirements to apply?
You must be at least 19, have a high school diploma or GED, hold a valid driver's license, be legally authorized to work in the U.S., meet LEOFF II vision standards, and have no adult or juvenile felony convictions. A current CPAT and PST written score dated within the qualifying window are required.
How much do Kirkland firefighters earn?
Recruitment postings list an entry-level firefighter range of roughly $93,092 to $125,800 per year. Lateral firefighters have listed at about $77,763 to $105,088 annually ($37.39-$50.52/hour). Confirm current rates with the department.
Does Kirkland hire lateral firefighters?
Yes. Lateral candidates generally need 3 years of career (or 5 years volunteer/paid on-call) firefighting experience, Fire Academy completion within the last 7 years, IFSAC Firefighter I & II and Hazmat Awareness & Operations certifications, and EMT certification.
When are firefighter applications reviewed?
Kirkland accepts PST scores on a continuous basis, but reviews them once per year in February. The department has anticipated its next round of firefighter interviews beginning February 2027.
What kind of work does the department do?
Kirkland is an all-hazards department handling fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazardous materials, technical rescue, water rescue, and emergency management. EMS makes up about 75% of the department's calls, so firefighters work heavily in emergency medicine.