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Fire Department - Certified Applicant FAQs

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1. How do I know if I am considered "Certified/Lateral" in Durham?

If you can't answer "Yes" to ALL of the questions below, Durham does NOT consider you a Certified Firefighter.

• Do you have a valid/unexpired NC Basic EMT certification or can you get reciprocity for your current EMT certification?
• Do you have an IFSAC or Pro Board Firefighter II certification or can you get reciprocity for your current Firefighter II certification?
• Do you have an IFSAC or Pro Board Hazmat Operations Level I certification or can you get reciprocity for your current Hazmat Operations certification?
• Have you graduated from an approved Fire academy within the past two years OR have you worked as a government or municipality full-time, paid firefighter for the past two years without more than a 3 month lapse in employment? 

2. If I hired, when will go into Operations?

Durham conducts a mini-academy for lateral hires.  The information below is an estimated timeline:

• Week 1 = Orientation
• Weeks 2, 3, 4, 5 = Acclimation to Durham Fire & EMS
• Week 6 - You will either go into Operations OR
• You will begin a 7 week AEMT class. Since you are already at minimum, a Basic EMT, this class will give you an opportunity to refresh your current skills while adding to that skillset.  We will work hard to prepare you for NC AEMT certification, but you will also have to be committed to working hard to earn your AEMT.  If we conduct the AEMT class, you will go into Operations after approximately 12 weeks from your initial hire date.  

3. What can I expect on the written test for Certified/Lateral firefighters?

Our test for certified firefighters is based on Jones and Bartlett Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills and Hazardous Materials Response.  Don't assume that you're going to be able to pass this test just because you've got 6 years on the job.  Study the book!

4. Is the starting salary negotiable?

No.

5. I 'm already an AEMT. How long would I have to attend the academy?

If you are already a NC AEMT or higher, you may be able to move into Operations after week 5.  

If your EMT certification is from anywhere other than the state of North Carolina, you must be able to get reciprocity by completing a Reciprocity Application at NCOSFM.  

6. What about Reciprocity? Does my National Registry EMT certification meet Certified Firefighter requirements?

To qualify as a Certified Firefighter, in addition to having your Hazardous Materials certification and your Firefighter I and II certifications, you must have your NC EMT certification or you must be able to get reciprocity by completing a Reciprocity Application at NCOSFM.  

7. Do you allow any exemptions for the COVID vaccine?

In order to earn EMT certifications required for employment, you MUST participate in clinical rotations.  The COVID vaccine is required for entry into clinical sites for EMS rotations. 

8. What would my schedule look like when I go into Operations?

Our Firefighters work an average of ten 24-hour shifts per month on A, B, or C Shift. Shifts run from 7 am until 7 am the following day. Firefighters work every other day for 10 days. After that 10-day cycle is complete, each firefighter is off for 6 consecutive days. Check out our shift calendar.  

9. How often does the DFD hire Laterals?

We do not have a set schedule for lateral hiring. We normally conduct a certified/lateral hiring process immediately before the annual Entry Level process; however, if we have a large number of openings, we can conduct a Lateral hiring process at any time.

10. Do you have any tips for applying?

List at least three PROFESSIONAL references rather than personal references.  We want to know about your work characteristics.  Also, verify the phone numbers you list and make sure that the person listed is aware that you are listing them.   

Get your documents together NOW!  We will require copies of the documents listed below. Some of these are time consuming to get and obtaining them can be stressful (ask everyone who applied during COVID). All of these are documents that adults should have readily available, so get them together NOW.  

• Birth Certificate 
• Social Security Card
• Shot Records
• Transcript from your highest level of completed education
• DD-214 (if applicable)
• Valid Driver's License (must be unexpired)

11. Are there any residency requirements for City of Durham Firefighters?

No; however, even as a Certified Firefighter, there is a mini-academy that you would have to attend before going into Operations.  

12. Do you have any tips for applying?

List at least three PROFESSIONAL references rather than personal references.  We want to know about your work characteristics.  Also, verify the phone numbers you list and advise your references that they may receive a call from an unknown phone number.

Get your documents together NOW!  We will require copies of the documents listed below if you receive an interview/offer. Some of these documents are time consuming to get and obtaining them can be stressful (ask everyone who applied during COVID). All of these are documents that adults should have readily available, so get them together NOW.  

• Birth Certificate 
• Social Security Card
• Transcript from your highest level of completed education
• DD-214 (if applicable)
• Valid and Unexpired Driver's License (if you do not have a driver's license by July 1, you will be eliminated from the process)
• Shot Records
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) 
  • Varicella (Chickenpox) If no vaccine administered, show medical proof of Chickenpox
  • Tdap (Tetanus) If more than 10 years ago, you will have to get another one
  • HBV (Hep-B)
  • COVID - Full vaccine regimen including booster information
  • Influenza - (Flu Shot) If more than 1 year ago, you will have to get another one 

13. How long does the Certified mini-academy last?

Certified/Lateral firefighters typically spend one week in new employee training followed by approximately four weeks of Durham acclimation/training. If AEMT is scheduled, that could add seven weeks; however, AEMT is not being scheduled at this time. 

14. What time does the academy start each day?

Most days, our academy begins with physical training at 6 am.  If you're not accustomed to exercising daily, you should start now.

15. What shot records will I need?

Our new employees must participate in clinical rotations as part of their EMS training. These vaccines are required for entry into all clinical sites for EMS rotations:

• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) 
• Varicella (Chickenpox) If no vaccine administered, show medical proof of Chickenpox
• Td/Tdap (Tetanus & Diptheria/Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis) If more than 10 years ago, you will have to get another one.
• Hepatitis (Hep-B)
• COVID - Full vaccine regimen
• Influenza - (Flu Shot) If more than 1 year ago, you will have to get another one.

16. Does the City of Durham provide temporary housing or relocation expenses?

No, we do not offer temporary housing or relocation expenses for Firefighters.

17. What are requirements for physical conditioning?

You've seen the descriptions of our Physical Agility Test (PAT); however, if hired, you must also pass an in-depth physical. This physical is rigorous. 

For some reason, since COVID, an increasing number of applicants are not passing our pre-employment physical. Being slender or simply being a weight lifter, does not ensure that you will definitely pass our physical. Your cardio health is an important measure of your physical capabilities. 

Your cardio health is an important measure of your physical capabilities.  

Your cardio health is an important measure of your physical capabilities. (Yes, we meant to list that three times.)

18. Still got questions?

Please read the information at DurhamFD.org.  After checking out our site, if you still have questions about our hiring process, please email [email protected].

We hope to see you in Durham!