Durham NC -- entry level

We do more than fight fire.
In addition to fighting fires, Durham firefighters provide emergency medical assistance to the citizens and visitors of Durham. We dutifully examine buildings for familiarization and to check for fire hazards. We invest hours in territorial studies — learning the best routes throughout the district. We regularly inspect and maintain the city’s fire hydrants to ensure that they are as ready for the next emergency as we are. We keep our stations clean and our apparatus ready to respond. Most importantly, we continuously train - drills, classes, independent study — whatever it takes.
We are committed to service excellence.
Learn more about our upcoming hiring process!

NO Applications will be accepted until September 1 through September 30, 2010. Please read all of the information below. NO phone inquiries are being accepted at this time.

Several orientation sessions will be offered during the month of August to provide information pertaining to the department's current hiring process. Orientations are not mandatory, but it is highly recommended that you attend one.
Orientation Dates:
August 21 at 9 a.m.
August 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27 at 6:30 p.m.
August 28 at 9 a.m.
Orientations will be held at Fire Administration, 2008 E. Club Blvd., Durham, NC 27704.



Hiring process

Eligibility requirements

Schedule/ salary/ benefits

Lateral transfer eligibility


Hiring Process

The hiring process consists of five components:
Complete Online City of Durham Application
Complete Firefighter Application Packet
Written Exam
Physical Agility Test
Oral Review Board (Interview)


Orientation Session
This is optional. Attendance is highly recommended as you will be provided with invaluable information and the opportunity to ask questions of a number of officers within the Training Division.
If you are unable to attend an orientation, please carefully review all information provided on this Web site.
You must be precisely on time for each of the following components of the hiring process. If you are one minute late you will be disqualified.
Written Exam
This is a general knowledge exam. It will test your reading and comprehension skills to ensure that they are at or above the 10th grade level. No firefighting related questions appear on this test. There is no study guide. You will need to score a 70 or above on the test or you will be disqualified from the remainder of the hiring process.
Physical Agility Test
You will be required to demonstrate flexibility.
You will be required to, while wearing a 50 pound weight vest, couple two 2.5 inch fire hoses to a master stream device, then climb four flights of stairs and hoist, through a window, a 50 foot section of 2.5 inch fire hose with a nozzle attached. You will need to complete this task in 70 seconds or less.
You will then complete a ladder lift as well as climb the ladder to demonstrate comfort with heights.
You will then be required to complete a confined space maze. This will be timed.
You will be required to drag a dummy weighing at least 160 lbs. for approximately 100 feet.
The agility test requires that you are able to run 1.5 miles in a limited period of time. (For exact times, see the chart available in the Durham Firefighter Application Guide).
If you are unable to complete any portion of the agility test you will be disqualified from the remainder of the hiring process.
Oral Review Board
Candidates who meet minimum eligibility requirements and successfully complete both the written exam and the physical agility test will be asked to report for an interview. Review panels generally consist of three individuals who will ask the candidates several questions and review their responses.
Background Investigation
A background investigation will be conducted for all candidates being considered for hire after the completion of the oral review board. A background investigation includes, but is not limited to, verification of job performance at previous places of employment, as well as a criminal background check, and a review of the applicant’s driving record.
Positions will be offered contingent on the successful completion of a physical exam/health screening, audio/visual test, and drug/alcohol test.

Eligibility Requirements
Must be at least 18 years old
Must have a high school diploma or GED
No felony convictions
No DWI convictions in the last four years
Valid Driver’s License. (Must acquire NC license upon hiring)
Must be a permanent US resident
Criminal history records check from the applicant’s local law enforcement agency of residence for the past seven years
Driver’s history printout from the N.C. Department of Motor Vehicles (N.C. residents) or from the location(s) where applicant has resided that covers the past seven years

Schedule, Salary, Benefits
The Durham Fire Department has a 24-hour day, rotating shift schedule. The report time is 7 a.m. and you will work one 24 hour period and rest one 24 hour period until you have worked a total of five days. Then you will rest for six consecutive days. So, for example, you might:
Report 7 a.m. Monday — Exit 7 a.m. Tuesday
Rest Tuesday
Report 7 a.m. Wednesday — Exit 7 a.m. Thursday
Rest Thursday
Report 7 a.m. Friday — Exit 7 a.m. Saturday
Rest Saturday
Report 7 a.m. Sunday — Exit 7 a.m. Monday
Rest Monday
Report 7 a.m. Tuesday — Exit 7 a.m. Wednesday
Rest Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday
Report 7 a.m. Tuesday — Exit 7 a.m. Wednesday …
Starting Salary: $33,000
Bilingual Incentive: $1,000 annual bonus paid to those fluent in Spanish or sign language. (Contingent on passing a fluency exam)
Benefits Include
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Affordable Family Add-on
Specialty Insurance Options (e.g. short term disability, etc.)
401 K/ 457 - 3 to 8 percent Employer Contribution
Local Government Retirement Pension

Lateral Transfer Eligibility
You may be eligible for a lateral transfer if you meet the following criteria:
Minimum of two years full-time employment as a paid firefighter with a municipal fire department. (Combination departments—career and volunteer—will not be considered to meet the eligibility requirement)
The municipal department must have a full-time training staff and sponsor a training academy comparable to that of the City of Durham — which you successfully completed.
You must have the following certifications: NC Firefighter Level II, EMT, and Hazardous Materials Operations Level.
If your certifications are from another state, you are responsible for acquiring reciprocity. For non-NC EMT certifications, contact the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Service
Contact Assistant Chief Ernest Jannetta by e-mail or call (919) 560-4242, ext.19224, with questions pertaining to lateral transfers. Eligibility must be confirmed prior to applying.

**You must complete BOTH packets below.**
Download Application:
City of Durham Application: Must be returned to the Human Resources Department of the City of Durham.

Durham Firefighter Application Guide and Required Paperwork: Must be submitted directly to Durham Fire Department


Guide To Hiring Process