Fire Department · Combination
South Whidbey Fire/EMS
Langley, WA · Island County
Fleet described as 35+ emergency apparatus vehicles with combined pumping capacity of 14,000 gallons per minute.
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗South Whidbey Fire/EMS traces its roots to December 4, 1950, when it was formed as Island County Fire Protection District #3 under Title 52 of the Revised Code of Washington. Today the district is governed by an elected three-member Board of Fire Commissioners and protects roughly 66 square miles of South Whidbey Island south of Mutiny Bay Road, including 57 miles of shoreline, serving a permanent population of about 15,000 that swells to an estimated 25,000 on a given day.
The department runs a combination model, staffing six stations - Freeland, Clinton, Maxwelton, Langley, Saratoga, and Bayview - with 18 paid firefighter/EMTs alongside 46 volunteer members, supported by a fleet of more than 35 emergency apparatus with a combined pumping capacity of 14,000 gallons per minute. In July 2016 the district began hiring its first part-time firefighters, and in May 2019 those members organized as IAFF Local 5212, believed to be the first part-time IAFF local in the United States or Canada.
Beyond structural fire and EMS response, members can join specialized Marine Rescue and Rope Rescue teams. The district also runs public-facing programs in CPR/first aid, car seat safety, wildfire prevention, and smoke detector installation, and operates a fire training center built around a shipping-container burn/prop structure.
MissionPROTECT LIVES, SERVE WITH COMPASSION, RESPOND WITH EXCELLENCE
South Whidbey Fire/EMS recruits both volunteer and part-time paid firefighter/EMTs, running its own yearly Firefighter I & II and EMT training academies for new members rather than requiring prior certification. Candidates apply with a paper/PDF volunteer application submitted by email, fax, or in person, then commit to weekly training alongside emergency call response once accepted.
Requirements
- Minimum age 18 at time of application
- Valid Washington State driver's license
- Good physical condition; must pass a physical agility test
- Pass a background check and drug screening
- Commit to weekly training and emergency call response
Hiring process
- Download the volunteer application (PDF)
- Submit the application by email, fax, or in person at Bayview Fire Station
- Pass background check, drug screening, and physical agility test
- Attend the department's Firefighter I & II and/or EMT academy
The district runs its own in-house academies: a Firefighter I & II Academy (IFSAC FF I & II certification, HazMat Awareness/Operations, and Emergency Vehicle Driver Training) and a separate EMT Academy leading to National and Washington State EMT certification. Candidates can pursue firefighter and EMT tracks separately or sequentially.
What area does South Whidbey Fire/EMS serve?
The district covers about 66 square miles of South Whidbey Island south of Mutiny Bay Road, including 57 miles of shoreline, serving a permanent population of roughly 15,000 that reaches an estimated 25,000 daily.
How is the department staffed?
It's a combination department with 18 paid firefighter/EMTs and 46 volunteer members operating out of six stations: Freeland, Clinton, Maxwelton, Langley, Saratoga, and Bayview.
What is the department's fire insurance (WSRB) rating?
WSRB rates the district Class 7, with Class 6 within the City of Langley.
Do I need prior certification to join?
No. The department runs its own yearly Firefighter I & II and EMT academies so new members can train and certify after joining.
Are there specialty response teams?
Yes, qualified members can join the Marine Rescue and Rope Rescue teams.