This position is in the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department and is responsible for improving the lives of residents of the District of Columbia by providing the most effective and efficient protection of lives and property. DC Fire and EMS provide quality, compassionate and competent state of the art basic and advanced life support emergency medical care to the acutely ill or injured and provides expedient transportation to the appropriate hospital. Our services are offered 24 hours a day, every day.
Duties and Responsibilities
Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) are assigned to one of approximately thirty-four (34) fire houses throughout the District of Columbia. The incumbent will respond to known and unknown emergency calls with minimal response time. Upon arrival at fire location, relays fire conditions, life hazards and exposure to commanding officer. Examine fire structures for any signs of fire extension and determines the safest evacuation route for occupants. Observes and responds to changes in conditions at the fire scene. Removes persons from entrapments or hazardous situations. Incumbent makes forcible entries. Recognizes conditions that may lead to back-draft. Controls public utilities; positions aerial ladders or platforms; climbs or descends ladders, carrying hose lines and/or equipment; and makes openings for ventilation and performs overhaul operations. Incumbent is responsible for the operation of hose lines and the hydrant systems. Operates lines from heights, rooftops, ladders and/or confined space. Operates fire extinguishers and portable hydraulic pumps.
Utilizes detection instruments for gas, heat, radiation or smoke. Protects property from damage with salvage covers. Stops oil, steam, gas or water leaks and removes excess water. Removes debris and rubbish and, to the extent possible, restores the security of the property. Rescues and frees victims in tunnels, pipes, excavations, etc. Extricates victims from high places, elevators, electrical contacts, hazardous areas, machinery, etc. Examines victims and diagnoses symptoms. Operates first aid equipment; stops or controls bleeding; performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Treats victims of smoke inhalation, burns, heart trouble, shock, drowning and injuries.
Qualifications and Education
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Must be a U.S. citizen at the time of application. Please upload Birth Certificate or valid U.S. Passport upon application submission.
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Must have reached the age of 19 as of the date of application closing. Please upload Birth Certificate or valid U.S. Passport upon application submission.
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Must possess a valid non-expired driver's license. Please upload copy of Driver's License upon application submission. Provisional License or Learners’ permits are not acceptable – if converted, MUST upload to show proof of conversion to a full license.
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Must possess a minimum of High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) issued by a recognized Department of Education at time of application, College Degree, or transcript with proof of graduation. Please upload a copy of diploma upon application submission.
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Must pass a scheduled candidate physical ability test (C-PAT).
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Must pass a urinalysis test for absence of substance or drug use, this includes marijuana, even if you possess a medical card authorizing the use of medical marijuana.
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Must pass a thorough medical examination (including x-rays, hearing, vision, and other laboratory tests). Medical examination follows the standards of the National Fire Protection Association. Please reference www.NFPA.org for more information.
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Must pass a thorough background investigation of character and personal history (ex, prior employers, law enforcement agencies, etc.) to determine suitability for appointment as a Firefighter EMT.
License and Certifications
Must obtain and maintain the following certifications for the duration of employment:
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Firefighter I and II
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Emergency Medical Technician - Basic
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Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations
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Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) or Basic Life Support Card (BLS)
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Must possess and maintain a valid DC Health EMT card
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National Registry Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (NREMT-B),
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Any other certifications that may subsequently be required to maintain qualifications as a Firefighter EMT.
Candidates must possess and maintain a valid and current driver’s license as a condition of employment.
Working Conditions/Environment
Incumbents ride large emergency vehicles through crowded streets. The position involves exposure to all weather conditions and increased noise levels. The incumbent can be exposed to irritation or discomfort from heat, smoke, dust, gaseous fumes, water, confined spaces (tunnels), radiation, and chemicals and must strictly adhere to policies and procedures designed to reduce those dangers, such as utilizing personal protective equipment. The incumbent will live in proximity with others in a dormitory-style environment for 24-hour (or longer) work shifts.
Other Significant Facts
All required documents (birth certificate or valid U.S. passport, valid non-expired driver's license, and high school diploma) must be uploaded at the time of application submission to be considered for the position. If you claim Veterans preference, please upload the Veterans (DD214) letter, or Disability Determination. If you claim Foster Child preference, please upload Foster Care License or letter.
DC Residency Preference Claim - DC residency is not a requirement for the position, but if you claim residency preference for the DC Firefighter EMT job posting you are required to provide proof of residency by uploading a copy of your valid non-expired DC state-issued ID (driver’s license) at the time you submit your application, failure to upload proof of DC residency would result in your application being rejected from the application process if you claimed residency preference. Applicants who claim residency preference must certify that they are residents of the district and agree, in writing, to maintain residency for a period of seven (7) consecutive years from the date they are hired into the District government notwithstanding any subsequent details, reassignments, transfers, promotions, demotions, or any other internal movement.
If an applicant does not have a valid non-expired DC driver’s license, the applicant MUST provide at least four documents that satisfactorily establish to DCHR the applicants District residency.
Substitute documentation shall include a combination of four (4) or more proofs of residency (last 30 days), such as:
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Voter registration card.
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Motor vehicle registration.
Certified deed or current lease or current rental agreement for real property for the applicant’s principal place of residence in the district.
Cancelled checks or receipts for mortgage or rental payments for the applicant’s principal place of residence in the district.
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Utility bills and payment receipts for the applicant’s principal place of residence in the district.
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A copy of a bank account statement in the name of the applicant mailed to the applicant’s principal place of residence in the district.
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Copies of credit card or brokerage account statements mailed to the applicant’s principal place of residence in the district.
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Copies of automobile insurance statements for the applicant mailed to the applicant’s principal place of residence in the district
If applicable, how do I add the four (4) or more proofs of residency?
Once your application is completed, return to the "My Job Application" tab then scroll to the bottom, and click on "My Cover Letters and Attachments" and upload the required documents. Please note that attachments are not specific to a job application and will be visible for any DC job that you apply for. (Recommended file extension types- PDF or docx, doc)
INFO REGARDING TESTING:
All applicants that meet basic standards (U.S. citizen, 19 years of age at the time of application, high school diploma, and valid non-expired driver's license) will be referred for an entrance exam. Current residents of DC, as proven by DC driver's license, will have testing paid for by the District.
Non-DC residents are responsible for the cost of testing ($65 for entrance exam, plus $24.99 for optional practice test).
Applicants must be proficient in the use of and comprehension of the English language. Persons with foreign language skills are encouraged to apply.
Eligible applicants can only take the entrance exam once every 3 months.
This position is deemed as an "Essential " and “Safety Sensitive” position.
This position is covered under D.C. Law 15-353, the Child and Youth, Safety and Health Omnibus Amendment Act of 2004, effective April 13, 2005, as amended. For that reason, this position is subjected to annual criminal background checks, traffic record checks, or both; and will be subject to random drug and alcohol testing throughout employment.
Must pass a thorough background investigation of character and personal history (ex, prior employers, law enforcement agencies, etc.) to determine suitability for appointment as a Firefighter EMT.
Screening dates: July 31, 2026 - August 14, 2026
Tour of Duty: Rotating shifts. The Department has a 24-hour/7-day a week operation.
Pay plan, Series, Grade: FS-0081-01
Duration of Appointment: Career Service -Reg Appt - subject to the satisfactory completion of an eighteen-month (18-month) probationary period.
Position Designation: This position is designated as a Safety Sensitive position and is subject to mandatory pre-employment and periodic Criminal Background Checks and Traffic Records Checks (as applicable). This position is also subject to mandatory pre-employment and random Drug and Alcohol Testing. In this position, you may be disqualified from employment based on the presence of marijuana in test results, even if you possess a medical card authorizing the use of medical marijuana.
EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, family responsibilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, homeless status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, participation in a legally protected activity, parental status, matriculation, personal appearance, credit information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, military service, or other non-merit factor.
