How to Become a Volunteer Firefighter: 

The 2023-2024 volunteer recruit academy is full. Applications for the next volunteer academy will be opened in the summer of 2024 for the 2024-2025 volunteer recruit academy. Volunteers must complete the KVFR recruit academy to be a volunteer with KVFR. The recruit academy provides the initial firefighter safety training required to be qualified with KVFR. The volunteer recruit academy runs from mid-November to the spring of the following calendar year. We have limited recruit academy spots. Any interested candidate must submit an application, attend volunteer information night, participate in a written exam, and have a volunteer interview. KVFR always accepts volunteer applications from anyone with prior firefighting experience, holds a IFSAC or Proboard certification, or has other accredited firefighter training. Volunteers must complete the KVFR recruit academy with the initial firefighter safety training.

Volunteer applications can be submitted to our HR Manager. Please include copies of your driver's license and certifications. Applications may be mailed (400 E. Mountain View Ave Ellensburg WA 98926), hand-delivered to Station 29 (400 E. Mountain View Ave Ellensburg WA 98926), or emailed to HR Manager Sydney McBride at mcbridesy@kvfr.org. Complete volunteer job descriptions are available upon request. 

Volunteer Application

Volunteer Information Night: 

We accept applications throughout the entire year, however, if you do not have previous fire experience we will hold your application until the next volunteer information night, which is held on a night during the fall (typically late September/early October). Previous fire experience is not a requirement to become a volunteer. The volunteer information night will provide further information about our department and the role of volunteers within our organization. A general aptitude test will be given and you will be asked to sign up for an interview time. 

Written Test:
The written test is based on general aptitude and is not agency-specific nor does it require any previous fire experience. Picture ID is required to take the test. The test will be administered immediately following the orientation.

Interview:
Interviews will be scheduled for those interested in volunteer positions at the conclusion of the information night. 

Recruit Class:

Recruit class provides the initial training needed to become a volunteer firefighter with Kittitas Valley Fire & Rescue. After your interview, you will be notified if you have been selected as a volunteer firefighter and will be invited to participate in the recruit class. Recruit class is held from December until April two nights a week from 6 pm until 10 pm and during the day two Saturdays a month. The training will be based on IFSAC FFI curriculum and prepare you to safely perform volunteer firefighter duties.  

Required Qualifications: 

• Valid Washington Driver’s license in good standing by date of hire. (Some violations may be cause for disqualification according to the District’s criteria).
• Minimum of 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Legal U.S. resident. NOTE: PURSUANT TO THE IMMIGRATION REFORM AND CONTROL ACT, ALL NEW EMPLOYEES MUST PRESENT ACCEPTABLE DOCUMENTS VERIFYING IDENTITY AND AUTHORIZATION TO BE EMPLOYED IN THE UNITED STATES.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate the English language.
• Current EMT-B certification for resident candidates.
• Current CPAT* certification by date of position appointment for resident candidates. Certification must be less than 12 months at the time of position appointment.

*CPAT = Candidate Physical Ability Test
1. Go to www.nationaltestingnetwork.com or call 425-423-9922 or
2. Go to www.publicsafetytesting.com or call 1.866.HIRE-911

About:

Volunteer Firefighter:

Volunteer firefighters fulfill an important role at KVFR staffing seven of the nine stations. Volunteers have the opportunity to operate at a broad spectrum of levels base on every individual’s abilities, knowledge, certifications, training and experience level. Levels of qualifications include interior firefighting, wildland firefighting, apparatus driver, staging manager and Non-SCBA emergency operations, vehicle extrication, Basic First Aid to Emergency Medical Technician, traffic management at emergency scenes, and fire prevention and safety education. All volunteers are required to attend a minimum of 20 hours of training and a minimum of 10% of their stations call volume annually to remain in good standing with the District and to be eligible for retirement credit. Volunteers receive a stipend per call and per drill or training. Insurance coverage is also provided under the Washington State Volunteer Pension and Relief Act. Volunteers are also eligible for retirement through Washington State Volunteer Pension Fund after achieving the required years of service.

Resident Volunteer Firefighter:

The position of Volunteer Resident FF with KVFR is designed to be a training position for members to become career personnel inside KVFR or with other agencies. Resident FFs are all required to be an EMT-B and have a valid CPAT. Members are reimbursed with volunteer stipends for each shift and are provided with constant training opportunities. Residents have a minimum shift coverage requirement each month and are expected to make the fire station their primary residence.

KITTITAS VALLEY FIRE RESCUE
IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER