Fire Department · Combination
Whatcom County Fire District #7
Ferndale, WA · Whatcom County
62 career firefighter/EMTs and 50 volunteers, with 24-hour staffing at five of the district's eight stations.
No active openings right now
Watch this department to be notified when Whatcom County Fire District #7 is hiring, or check their careers page.
Department careers page ↗Whatcom County Fire District 7 (WCFD7) is a combination department protecting roughly 72 square miles in and around Ferndale, Washington, including the Cherry Point industrial area. Fire protection in the area traces back to 1909, with the district formally organized in 1957; it has grown into an eight-station operation staffing five stations around the clock with a mix of career firefighters and volunteers.
WCFD7 runs a fleet of 32 fire and EMS apparatus, including a dedicated paramedic unit that supports countywide advanced life support response through Whatcom Medic One. Call volume has climbed steadily since the early 1990s, with the district answering nearly 6,000 calls in 2025 alone, and its members logged over 1,800 volunteer hours supporting fire prevention and community safety programs in the prior year.
MissionWhatcom County Fire District No. 7 pledges to provide trained personnel, apparatus, equipment, and facilities to meet the publics' request for fire, emergency medical services, hazardous materials and disaster response
WCFD7 hires career firefighters on a lateral basis year-round, alongside entry-level, cadet, intern, and volunteer pathways that run on their own cycles. All career applicants go through a multi-step testing process before joining one of the district's shift crews.
Requirements
- 18 years of age at appointment and eligible to work in the United States
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid Washington State driver's license with an insurable driving record (no more than two traffic violations)
- Physical fitness capability for firefighting and emergency medical duties
- For lateral candidates: Firefighter 1 certification, EMT certification, and a minimum of one year of fire department experience
Hiring process
- Written examination
- Physical agility test
- Oral board interview
- Background and driving record check
- Occupational medicine/firefighter physical exam
- Drug screening
How do I become a firefighter with Whatcom County Fire District 7?
Career candidates go through a written exam, physical agility test, oral board interview, background and driving check, occupational medical exam, and drug screening. Entry-level career hiring runs on its own cycle, while lateral positions are accepted year-round.
What are the requirements to apply to WCFD7?
Applicants must be at least 18 at appointment, eligible to work in the U.S., hold a high school diploma or GED, have a valid Washington driver's license with an insurable driving record, and be physically capable of firefighting and EMS duties.
Does WCFD7 hire lateral firefighters and paramedics?
Yes. WCFD7 accepts Lateral Career Firefighter/EMT and Lateral Career Firefighter/Paramedic applications year-round for candidates with Firefighter 1 and EMT certification and at least one year of fire department experience.
Does WCFD7 offer volunteer or intern firefighter positions?
Yes. WCFD7 runs Volunteer Firefighter/EMT, Fire Cadet, and lateral Intern Firefighter/EMT programs. Entry-level volunteer applications are accepted January 1 through March 31 each year, while other programs accept applications year-round on an as-needed basis.