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Fire Academy

Academy Overview

The PCFD 13 Combined Volunteer Fire Academy is a physically and mentally intense course requiring a minimum of 15.5 week course which includes comprehensive classroom instruction, firefighting techniques and equipment use, as well as some independent preparation. Recruits are evaluated daily and must successfully complete all training elements in order to graduate.

The academy offers students the opportunity to learn from a network of fire instructors from area fire departments and also utilizes various training facilities in the Pierce County region and the Washington State Fire Training Academy in North Bend.

Candidates able to meet the challenge of the PCFD 13 Academy will earn a certificate of graduation from the academy and will meet minimum requirements to test for IFSAC Firefighter I, Hazmat Awareness, and Hazmat Operations. Continued support studying for the exams are provided per assigned department.

Following academy, probationary firefighters will be required to complete a Washington State approved EMT course and receive state and national EMT certifications if they do not already have these. This course must be taken on your own time and is not paid for by the department.

Minimum Qualifications

The requirements listed below are not required at the time of application, but are required before a candidate can participate in duty shifts:

  • An active application with a fire department within Washington State.
  • At least 18 years of age.
  • Must have a high school diploma or have passed an equivalency test (GED).
  • Must possess a valid Driver's License.
  • Must possess a Motor Vehicle Record/Report (MVR) check.
  • Eligibility to work in the United States.
  • Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification is not required at the time of application. Candidates must possess or be eligible for a valid Washington State EMT certification in order to participate in duty shifts for "EMS only personnel."
  • Ability to communicate effectively in English.
  • Meet or exceed established standards throughout the testing process.
  • Meet or exceed established standards throughout the Pre-Employment Screening process.
  • Successfully complete public safety first aid and Healthcare Provider level CPR/AED course.

Applicants who have already passed a Washington State approved EMT course have the option to apply to our EMS program. Please review volunteer opportunities.

Pre-Screening Process

Once a pool of applicants has been established, testing and interviews will be initiated. Candidates will be contacted with the opportunity to take a written test and sit for an oral board with a panel of firefighters and officers. After this part of the process, applicants will be notified of board determination. Candidates will be notified of start date and next steps.

Questions

Questions about the testing process, including questions regarding the application process, and test dates should be directed to the Pierce County Fire District 13 fire chief via email to jwassall@piercefire13.org or by phone at (253) 952-4776.

01. Please download and fill out pre-application sheet to turn in when scheduling an interview:

Pre-Application sheet.pdf

02. Attend an initial interview.
Attend initial testing.

03. Begin process (physical, etc).

You're going to get the chance to make a difference every day that you work. There is no other job that you can do that gives you the satisfaction of knowing you can make a difference every single day.
Chief Cliff McCollum

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