Serving the cities of Yelm, Rainier, and surrounding unincorporated areas.
(360) 458-2799

Career Firefighter & EMT

Careers in the Fire Service

Welcome to SE Thurston Fire Authority, proudly serving the vibrant communities of Yelm and Rainier in beautiful SE Thurston County, Washington. If you’re considering a job in the fire service, you’re in the right place. 

SE Thurston Fire is nestled amidst picturesque views of majestic Mount Rainier, our region boasts a unique blend of small-town pride and history that makes it a standout in Thurston County.

As stewards of these thriving cities, we understand the importance of our role as a vital part of this community. With a growth rate of over 42% in the past decade and a projected doubling of our population by 2035, Yelm and Rainier are not just growing; they’re flourishing.

Our area acts as a welcoming bedroom community for those working in neighboring cities like Tacoma, Olympia, and Centralia, and we proudly host military families from nearby Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Additionally, Yelm is home to Ramtha’s School of Enlightenment, attracting students from around the globe for transformative events. Both Yelm and Rainier continue to be a thriving community that with business and infrastructure that is growing rapidly with no end in the foreseeable future.

Safety, affordability, excellent schools, abundant parks, and a tight-knit community spirit define life here. We’re the thriving hub of commerce for SE Thurston County, providing for the needs of over 30,000 residents daily.

A career in the fire service is a noble calling, where each day presents an opportunity to make someone’s worst day better. At SE Thurston Fire Authority, we offer comprehensive training to both career and volunteer firefighters. Our agency deals with wildland urban interface, participates in the Thurston County Special Operations Rescue Team (SORT), responding to emergency of all types, emergency medical calls, car wrecks, building fires over 84 square miles. Within this area it includes Yelm, Rainier, and the surrounding unincorporated areas of Thurston County. Annually we respond to over 4,000 emergencies, operating from two stations and proudly serving as the primary BLS transport agency.

With 31 dedicated career members and a thriving volunteer program, we are committed to excellence in serving our community. Your safety and well-being are our top priorities, and we are honored to be your trusted partner in times of need.

If you believe that answering the call to serve and being part of our dedicated team is your true calling, we invite you to take the first step towards an extraordinary journey. As our agency stands at the threshold of something even greater, in sync with our rapidly growing community, we are searching for individuals who share our passion for making a difference.

To explore the exciting career opportunities awaiting you at SE Thurston Fire Authority, we encourage you to visit www.publicsafetytesting.com. There, you’ll find comprehensive information about our current openings, the qualifications we seek, and the rewarding path that awaits those who choose to join our ranks.

Your dedication, your commitment, and your desire to contribute to the safety and well-being of our beloved community can be the driving force behind the next chapter of SE Thurston Fire Authority. Join us as we continue to write the story of service, courage, and community excellence.

Become a part of something bigger. Embrace the call. Apply today and become the hero our community needs.
 
 

Career Opportunities:

Vacancies: 2-3

Hiring Process: OPEN

 

Entry Level Firefighter/EMT

Minimum Qualifications:

1. High school diploma or equivalent.

2. Valid Washington State drivers license (by hire date).

3. At least 18 years of age.

4. Pass a driver and pre-employment screening.

5. Current Washington State EMOT or NREMT by time of appointment.

6. Pass Thurston County Medic Once BLS protocols within 45 days of hire.

7. Obtain IFSAC FF1 & HazMat Ops within 12 months of hire.

Desired Qualifications:

1. Previous firefighting experience as a volunteer/career firefighter.

2. IFSAC FF1 Certification

3. HazMat Ops Certification

4. Current EMT in Thurston County

5. EVIP 3.0 Certified D/O

 

Lateral Firefighter

Minimum Qualifications:

1.     High school diploma or equivalent.

2.     Valid Washington State drivers license (by hire date).

3.     At least 18 years of age. 

4.     Pass a driver and pre-employment screening

5.     Minimum of 2 (two) years of experience as a Washington State EMT or NREMT and in good standing.

6.     Pass Thurston County Medic One BLS protocols within 60 days of hire.

7.     IFSAC FF1 Certification

8.     Hazmat Ops Certification

9.     Current EVIP 3.0 Certification

10.  Minimum of three (3) year of service experience as a Full-Time Professional Firefighter and twelve (12) months of consecutive employment within the last twenty-four (24) months with a municipal fire department, or fire district of similar size.

11.  Has completed an academy (Full time career preferred) – All academies will be reviewed 

12.  Must be in good standing with their most recent department.

 

Public Safety Testing

 
 

Application Documents:

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Printable application: