Fire Department · Combination
Yakima County Fire Protection District No.5
Zillah, WA · Yakima County
“Protecting the Lower Yakima Valley Since 1947”
No active openings right now
Watch this department to be notified when Yakima County Fire Protection District No.5 is hiring, or check their careers page.
Department careers page ↗Yakima County Fire Protection District No. 5 is a predominantly volunteer department that has protected the Lower Yakima Valley since 1947. It provides fire protection, basic life support medical response, and fire prevention across a large rural service area of roughly 750 to 800 square miles.
The district serves an estimated 45,000 residents in and around communities including Zillah, Wapato, Toppenish, Granger, Sunnyside, Grandview, Mabton, Harrah, and White Swan. It handles roughly 2,700 emergency responses per year.
The department is built around its volunteers, backed by a small career staff. Chief Ken Shipman notes it operates from about 15 to 16 strategically located stations and maintains a fleet of more than 100 pieces of apparatus. A district dozer team reflects its rural, wildland-oriented mission.
The district recruits community members as volunteer firefighters on an ongoing basis. As Chief Shipman puts it, "without having willing individuals to answer the alarm, the alarm may go unanswered." Interested candidates start by completing the interest form on the district's Join page or by calling the district office at 509-829-5111.
The website does not publish detailed qualifications, an application timeline, or pay and benefit figures online, so prospective volunteers are directed to contact the district office directly to learn about requirements and next steps.
Hiring process
- Complete the interest form on the district's Join page (or call the district office)
- A district representative follows up to discuss the volunteer process
How do I join the fire district?
The district recruits volunteer firefighters. Fill out the interest form on the Join page at ycfd5.org/join, or call the district office at 509-829-5111, and someone will follow up with you about the volunteer process.
Is the department currently accepting applicants?
Yes. The district actively and continuously recruits volunteers, encouraging community members to "become a volunteer firefighter today."
Is this a career or volunteer department?
It is predominantly volunteer. Chief Shipman describes a force of about 190 volunteer firefighters supported by roughly 19 career personnel.
What area would I serve?
The district covers the Lower Yakima Valley, an estimated 45,000 residents across roughly 750 to 800 square miles, running about 2,700 emergency calls a year from around 15 to 16 stations.
What are the pay, schedule, and specific requirements?
The district's website does not publish salary, schedule, or detailed qualification requirements. Contact the district office at 509-829-5111 for those details.