Fire Department · Career
Charleston Fire Department
Charleston, WV · Kanawha County
Largest fire department in the State of West Virginia
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗The Charleston Fire Department traces its origins to December 14, 1893, when the city established its first paid fire department with three personnel; its professional firefighters later chartered IAFF Local 317 on September 7, 1931. In 1996 the department merged with Charleston Emergency Medical Service, folding advanced life support ambulance operations into the fire department and creating the combined public-safety agency that exists today.
CFD is now the largest fire department in West Virginia, staffed by 169 uniformed personnel operating out of 8 stations across the city. Its apparatus fleet includes 8 engine companies, a ladder company, a rescue company, and 5 advanced life support ambulance units, and the department holds an ISO Class 2 rating. The department protects the City of Charleston directly and serves a much larger daytime commuter population as the hub of the metropolitan area.
Beyond structural firefighting and EMS, CFD maintains specialized capabilities including the West Virginia Regional Response Team Task Force One, a building collapse unit, a hazardous materials unit, and water/boat rescue assets stationed at several of its houses along the Kanawha River.
CFD hires for the entry-level position of Firefighter Recruit. As of the site's most recent posting, the department opened an application window from May 1 to July 14, 2025, with a written exam given at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center; recruits are brought on and paid at an hourly rate keyed to their EMS certification level, then move to an annual salary schedule after completing the academy.
Hiring process
- Submit application at CFD Administration Office (808 Virginia St. West) or the City Clerk's Office at City Hall (501 Virginia St. East) during the posted application window
- Sit for the written exam at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center
Benefits
Municipal Police Officer/Firefighter Retirement System pension, health insurance, Kelly Shift schedule, vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, Civil Service coverage, an annual $700 clothing allowance, promotional advancement, and a college incentive of $0.50 per month for each completed credit hour up to 128 hours.
How large is the Charleston Fire Department?
CFD is the largest fire department in West Virginia, with 169 uniformed personnel operating from 8 stations and holding an ISO Class 2 rating.
How do I apply to become a Charleston firefighter?
Applications for the Firefighter Recruit position are submitted at the CFD Administration Office or the City Clerk's Office at Charleston City Hall during the posted application window, followed by a written exam.
What is the starting pay for a Charleston firefighter recruit?
Starting hourly pay depends on EMS certification level: $20.92 for EMT-Basic, $21.49 for EMT-Advanced, and $22.07 for Paramedic, rising to an annual salary of $52,000-$57,000 after completing the academy.
What specialized units does the Charleston Fire Department operate?
CFD fields the West Virginia Regional Response Team Task Force One, a building collapse unit, a hazardous materials unit, and water/boat rescue apparatus.
When was the Charleston Fire Department founded?
The department was established as the city's first paid fire department on December 14, 1893, and merged with Charleston Emergency Medical Service in 1996.