Fire Department · Combination
South Pend Oreille Fire & Rescue
Newport, WA · Pend Oreille County
No active openings right now
Watch this department to be notified when South Pend Oreille Fire & Rescue is hiring, or check their careers page.
Department careers page ↗South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue (SPOFR) is a combination department serving southern Pend Oreille County, Washington, from a headquarters on U.S. Highway 2 in Newport. It grew out of a series of voter-approved consolidations that began in 2010, when Fire Districts 3, 1, and 7 merged, followed by District 6 in 2019 and District 8 in 2022, with the city of Newport joining in 2024.
The department covers a 255-square-mile area spanning several rural communities and operates nine fire stations. Its workload is heavily EMS-driven: SPOFR ran 1,163 calls in 2024, roughly 72% of them EMS-related, and its volume has continued to climb into 2025.
Staffing blends career and volunteer members, with roughly 85 volunteers backing a core of 14 career personnel that includes a fire chief, an operations chief, and a mix of firefighter/EMTs and firefighter/paramedics. Volunteers remain central to how the department gets the job done.
Mission"To proudly serve our community by executing the duties charged to us by our profession."
SPOFR posts career openings on its employment page as they become available; at the time of writing no paid positions were listed, with the note that openings will appear there when they open. The department is a combination agency, so career firefighter, EMT, and paramedic roles supplement a large volunteer roster.
The department actively and continuously recruits volunteer firefighters. Prospective volunteers are directed to the Volunteer Application and Forms page to begin the process; for either paid or volunteer inquiries, candidates can reach administration at (509) 447-5305, Monday through Thursday, 8 AM to 4 PM.
Requirements
- Courage, dedication, assertiveness, and a willingness to learn new skills (stated qualities sought in volunteer firefighters)
Hiring process
- Go to the Volunteer Application and Forms page and follow the steps listed there
- Contact administration at (509) 447-5305 (Mon-Thu, 8 AM-4 PM) with questions
Is South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue hiring career firefighters?
Career openings are posted on the department's employment page as they become available. At the time of writing no paid positions were listed, with a note that openings will appear there when they open.
How do I become a volunteer firefighter?
The department is actively recruiting volunteers. Start by visiting the Volunteer Application and Forms page and following the steps there, or call administration at (509) 447-5305.
What qualities is the department looking for in volunteers?
SPOFR seeks courage, dedication, assertiveness, and a willingness to learn new skills. Specific age, certification, and physical requirements are not listed on the site.
Is this a career or volunteer department?
It is a combination department: roughly 85 volunteers work alongside about 14 career staff, including firefighter/EMTs and firefighter/paramedics.
What kind of calls does the department run?
The workload is EMS-heavy. SPOFR ran 1,163 calls in 2024, about 72% of them EMS-related, across a 255-square-mile rural service area.
Who do I contact about employment?
Reach administration at (509) 447-5305, Monday through Thursday, 8 AM to 4 PM, or mail 325272 U.S. Hwy 2, Newport, WA 99156.