The City of Bellingham has opened the Entry Firefighter NTN FireTeam Testing window for the January 2027 Academy. Test today through NTN to start the process of joining the Bellingham Fire Department and supporting our mission of helping people every day!
Firefighters provide emergency assistance and protective services to citizens. They are trained and equipped to protect life and property threatened by disaster, fire, explosion, hazardous materials, illness, accidents and other hazards. Activities include emergency prevention, emergency and non-emergency response, fire code enforcement, building inspections, training and drill and maintenance of apparatus, equipment, fire station and grounds. They perform a wide range of emergency work under adverse environmental and strenuous physical conditions. There is frequent potential for exposure to toxic chemicals, extreme heat, and infectious disease which require the use of protective equipment such as heat resistant clothing, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), and medical masks, gloves and gowns.
Firefighters may be required to drive fire apparatus or medical units and perform special firefighting, pre-hospital medical care, rescue work or other skills acquired by work experience and specialized training programs. Firefighters are subject to shift work and off-duty recall for major emergencies.
SALARY AND BENEFITS INFORMATION:
Starting 2026 wages for Firefighter:-
Entry Firefighter - $8,012
-
Entry Firefighter with National Registry Paramedic Certifications- $8,012/mo plus $1,016.40/mo Engine Medic Premium until placed as Paramedic. Paramedic Premium is $1,524.60/mo. Engine Medic Pay will be removed if they fail to pass the BFD evaluation process.
The 2026 full monthly salary for an Entry Firefighter is $8,012/mo - $10,164/mo. Additional monthly premiums may be applied per assignment. Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) 106 Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy.
Note: If you are a Experienced Firefighter/Firefighter Paramedic, please review the qualifications for Lateral Firefighter on our website. We will be opening the Experience Firefighter application window directly on our website. If it is not posted, please sign up for the job interest alerts to receive an email notification.
At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here’s a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can find more details on our employment benefits page and labor agreements page.
-
10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
-
6 shifts off incorporated into the work schedule in lieu of holidays
-
228 hours of sick leave upon hire + monthly accruals based on assigned schedule
-
Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
-
Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
-
Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
-
Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
-
Washington State Retirement plan (LEOFF) for retirement security
-
Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match
Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals and require employees to be paid status at least 96 hours/month.
For additional information regarding benefits and compensation Information please visit the following:
-
Labor Agreements, Pay Schedules and E-Team Employee Handbook - City of Bellingham (cob.org)
-
Employment Benefits - City of Bellingham (cob.org)
TESTING INFORMATION:
All applicants interested in this position must complete testing through National Testing Network. Please visit the National Testing Network website (www.NationalTestingNetwork.com) for information regarding the testing process. FireTEAM Testing and a valid CPAT are required for this position. Please see below for the FireTeam and CPAT Testing windows:-
FireTEAM Testing: Must be completed by 4:30pm, September 23, 2026.
-
Please note that if you have applied with the City of Bellingham in the previous testing window and would like to resubmit your current scores, you will need to contact NTN directly to transfer your valid scores to reapply for the current testing window.
-
CPAT Certification: A current, valid CPAT certification will be accepted from NTN or another agency licensed by the IAFF/AFC as a licensed CPAT provider. CPAT testing must be completed and certification issued between October 31, 2025 and October 30, 2026. Proof of CPAT must be attached to your City of Bellingham application. Candidates who pass the speed interview will be invited to complete the City of Bellingham application. Please do not send proof of CPAT Certification until instructed.
The City of Bellingham participates in the National Testing Network’s Fee Waiver Program. Please contact NTN Candidate Support for more information.
To learn more about the Bellingham Fire Department and the hiring process, please visit our website at Join Our Team - City of Bellingham (cob.org)
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:-
Responds to fires and other emergencies. Places equipment; lays and connects hose; operates high capacity pumps and directs water streams; raises and climbs ladders; uses chemical extinguishers, safety belts, lines and hooks; uses self-contained breathing apparatus; performs ventilation tasks above ground; and performs salvage and overhaul operations. Uses ropes, harnesses, carabiners, and anchors for special rescue situations. Identifies, isolates and mitigates hazardous material incidents.
-
Provides basic and/or advanced life support medical assistance to citizens in non-emergency and emergency situations where life may be endangered. Sets up and operates equipment such as resuscitator, inhalator, oxygen, and cardiac monitor, defibrillation equipment, intravenous solution and medications.
-
Maintains contact with communications center and Department to report initial observations, progress on handling incidents, and receive orders and instruction on handling event(s). Utilizes the incident command system.
-
As qualified and appropriate to the incident, drives fire apparatus, drives medical or aid vehicles or pilots fire boat. Determines appropriate response routes to the emergency. Transports patients to hospitals or other destinations.
-
Conducts inspection of residential, commercial and industrial buildings for possible hazards and violations of fire code requirements. May issue correction notices as directed by the Captain. Participates in the development of pre-incident plans on how to handle fire and medical emergencies at various businesses and facilities.
-
Participates in the development and delivery of emergency prevention programs.
-
Responds to various service calls providing assistance to citizens in situations that are not life threatening, such as requests for physical assistance, flooded basements, and complaints about unsafe or illegal burning.
-
Participates in company and battalion training program and drill exercises. Instructs job skills to others. Researches, compiles, organizes and presents information at training and drill sessions.
-
Periodically tests facility, equipment, apparatus and fire protection systems and maintains records of test information.
-
Performs general and preventative maintenance on apparatus, equipment and facilities to ensure proper function and reliability.
ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:
-
Performs administrative and technical support activities for Fire Administration on a regular or special project basis.
-
Prepares and maintains reports and records within assigned area of responsibility.
-
Performs other related duties as assigned.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment includes 24-hour shift work including weekends and holidays. Work is performed at fire stations, on various apparatus, on the drill ground and at different emergency scenes. Performance of hazardous tasks under emergency conditions may require strenuous exertion in environments with limited visibility, exposure to hazardous or toxic chemicals and gases, extremes in temperature, cramped surroundings, exposed heights and in and around water. Firefighters also work with citizens experiencing a wide range of emotions (rage, grief, confusion, etc.) as a result of an emergency. There is frequent potential for exposure to toxic chemicals, extreme heat, and infectious disease which require the use of protective equipment.
Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job, including:
-
Carry hose bundle of approximately 50 pounds and don personal protection and firefighting equipment weighing approximately 70 pounds to the scene of an emergency (sometimes to upper floors of businesses, apartments and hotels).
-
Lay and operate hose lines (160 pounds per 50 feet of hose with 100 pounds of nozzle pressure).
-
Stabilize and lift patients with backboard and cot.
-
Carry, place and extend ladders in training and in emergencies.
-
Operate power equipment such as a chain saw, portable generator, hydraulic jaws, smoke ejector, etc.
-
Set up and operate master streams and aerial ladder pipes.
-
While wearing protective clothing, performs heavy labor such as chopping, shoveling, moving furniture, equipment and merchandise.
** You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along.** Please review the Bellingham Fire Department's website for helpful tips about our process.
Step 1: Applicants interested in this position must complete the written exam (FireTEAM) testing through National Testing Network. Please visit the National Testing Network website (www.NationalTestingNetwork.com) for information regarding the testing process. In addition, a current and valid CPAT certification is required*. All written testing must be completed by September 23, 2026. Candidates will be notified of their results on or around October 1, 2026.
Step 2: All candidates with a combined score of 80.00% that also achieve the following City of Bellingham cutoff scores for each component of the NTN written test will be invited to participate in 8-minute speed interviews tentatively scheduled for October 12-16, 2026. Speed Interviews will be conducted virtually. The speed interviews are pass/fail.
NTN Test cutoff scores set by City of Bellingham are: Human Relations - 70%; Mechanical - 60%; Math - 70%; Reading -80%. Additionally, candidates must also achieve a combined average score of 80%.
Step 3: All passing candidates from speed interviews will be invited to participate in oral board interviews tentatively scheduled for
November 9-18, 2026. If the volume of candidates requires additional days, November 19-20 may be added. Oral Board Interviews will be conducted in person. At the time of invitation for oral boards, applicants will be required to complete a City of Bellingham application and submit proof of CPAT. Candidates with National Registry Paramedic Certifications must be attached, with no exceptions. Candidates must achieve a 60% on the oral board to pass.
Step 4: Candidates will be placed on a ranked eligibility register based on their scores achieved on NTN Written Exam (25%) and the Oral Board Interviews (75%), plus Veteran's preference. Final scores will be posted around November 23, 2026
.
Step 5: The most qualified candidates will be invited to a Chief's Interview scheduled for
the week of November 30, 2026. Candidates must appear in person to participate in the Chief's Interviews.
Step 6: Conditional offers of employment will be issued to the most qualified applicants and background and reference checks will begin shortly following Chief’s Interviews. Candidates will be required to participate in pre-employment screenings, including a medical exam and swim test, in Bellingham sometime between December 3 - December 31, 2026. Candidates will not be required to stay in Bellingham for the full duration of that time period but must be available to complete the medical exam and swim test in Bellingham during that period.
Step 7: January 19, 2027 - Successful candidates will begin Firefighter Recruit Academy.
The City of Bellingham anticipates hiring up to 12 Firefighters (Entry/Lateral) for the January 2027 Academy. This recruitment process will create a Civil Service eligibility register that will be used to fill current and future vacancies as they become available.
Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.
Equal Opportunity:
Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.
Fair Hiring Practices
-
The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
-
The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
-
The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
-
The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.
