Cheney is a thriving community with a population of 13,160 and is located just 17 miles southwest of Spokane. Our quality of life is unmatched because of a small-town atmosphere and family-friendly environment. Cheney is also home to Eastern Washington University.

The Cheney Fire Department is established with a mission statement of “Make a Difference” through “Community Focused Dedication”. Cheney Fire is the first fire department in Spokane County, established in 1883. The department is a combination all-hazard department that has tremendous pride in providing an exceptional level of service to our citizens. The department is seeing record-breaking call volumes and is positioned for significant growth in the coming years. The Cheney Fire Department also provides Fire and EMS services to Eastern Washington University. We participate in mutual and auto aid to the rest of Spokane County and the adjoining region.

Definition

The Firefighter protects life and property through responding to fire alarms and other emergency incidents performing highly skilled work in providing emergency medical care to sick and injured persons. Participates in fire prevention activities, public education, and station and equipment maintenance activities.

Minimum Qualifications

A high school diploma or GED · U.S. citizen; able to read, write, and communicate effectively in English · Valid driver’s license with no major driving citations · Must be able to pass a background check and pass a post-offer drug screen · State of Washington Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification or ability to obtain within three (3) months of hire.  IFSAC or Proboard Firefighter II Certification; IFSAC or Proboard Hazmat Operations, NWCG FFII and a Professional Vitae with work experience noted.  Candidates must have also completed a Career Fire Academy of a minimum of 480+ hours and have no less than 1 year of experience as a career firefighter.  Fire Science Degrees and Volunteer Academy will not be considered in place of a Career Academy.   

Desired Qualifications

 Paramedic or Advanced EMT · Two- or four-year college degree

Individuals with previous experience as a Full Time Firefighter (may) be granted credit for years of service for placement on the hiring process for the purpose of compensation and benefits commensurate with experience as a lateral entry firefighter.

Supervision Received

Works under direct supervision of a Captain and Lieutenant in the Fire Department and within standard operating procedures, but some leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions

Performs duties and responsibilities commensurate with assigned functional area within a department(s) which may include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following tasks:

Responds to fire alarms with assigned company; lays and connects hose; maintains pumping apparatus; holds nozzles and directs water streams; raises and climbs ladders; assists in freeing victims from situations in which they are physically trapped; utilizes and maintains self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Assists in overhauling, salvage, and cleanup operations. Provides emergency medical technician level assistance at injury or accident scenes involving basic life support and paramedic support functions. Responds to emergency and nonemergency calls for service.

Participates in drills and classes pertaining to medical services, fire suppression, rescue, street locations, hydraulics, and fire inspections. Participates in public education and community relation activities including school visits and fire station tours. Performs cleaning, repair, and maintenance of firefighting equipment, apparatus, and facilities. May respond to emergency calls for specialized service such as hazardous materials, confined spaces rescue, extrication, and technical rescues that include high angle, below grade, swift water, trench, and collapse rescues. May act as company officer as required. Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

· Principles, practices and procedures of modern firefighting 

· Purpose, operation, and maintenance of firefighting vehicles, equipment, and apparatus 

· Departmental policies, rules, and instructions for firefighting and rescue activities 

· Fire prevention principles and practices 

· Extrication and the use of extrication tools 

· Emergency Medical Technician basic life support procedures and Paramedic support procedures 

· Basic mathematical and science skills 

· Principles and practices of safe motor vehicle operation and maintenance 

· The city of Cheney road network

· Microsoft Windows Office products

Ability to: 

 Apply firefighting techniques and procedures 

· Think and act quickly and effectively in emergencies 

· Deal effectively with people under stressful situations 

· Read maps and provide travel directions 

· Select and use appropriate equipment and apparatus for emergency situations 

· Understand and follow oral and written directions promptly and accurately 

· Communicate both verbally and in writing with all levels of the organization using clearly organized thoughts, proper sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar

· Provide superior customer service for both internal and external customers 

· Make mathematical calculations 

· Establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, and the general public 

· Complete required OSHA/Safety Training as required

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job or that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Operate all types of portable fire extinguishers, power tools, hand tools, and related equipment such as smoke ejectors, forcible entry tools, pike poles, and axes. Operate a variety of medical equipment including suction units, pulse oximeters, laryngoscopes, cardiac monitors, defibrillators, oxygen administration equipment, pneumatic anti-shock garment (PASG), and glucose monitors. Exposure to dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature, and noise extremes, hazardous materials, fire, unsafe structures, heights, confined spaces, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, bright/dim lights, toxic agents, explosives, firearms, water hazards, violence, disease, and pathogenic substances. · At times, sustained performance of moderately physically demanding work, typically involving climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling and may involve the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (20-50 pounds). Bend or stoop repeatedly or continually over time to perform emergency medical services or perform duties on the fire ground. Perform duties requiring frequent pulling of 40 pounds or more, such as removing hose from apparatus, pulling ceilings, starting power equipment, and opening doors on the apparatus. Lift arms above shoulder level to cut vent holes with an axe or to force entry into automobiles using specialized tools. Use appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE), including a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) while performing tasks in environments that may be immediately dangerous to life. Operate a motor vehicle, emergency response vehicle, radios, and pager. Operate a variety of standard office equipment including a computer terminal, telephone, 10-key calculator, copier, and fax machine, requiring continuous and repetitive arm, hand, and eye movement. Travel to/from various local, county, and regional locations. Respond to emergencies as needed.

Cheney Fire Department - Lateral Firefighter/EMT has 1 vacancy.

The deadline to test for the next hiring cycle is August 22, 2025.

The Cheney Fire Department is currently looking to fill one (1) immediate position.  We are also actively seeking a SAFER Grant to pursue at least five (5) additional positions for late 2025 early 2026.

Position Information

Salary Range Firefighter EMT: $83,700-$90,000

Salary Range Firefighter A-EMT: $87,300-93,600

Salary Range Firefighter Medic: $92,700-$99,000

Step 1: $6750 monthly (only applies to entry level firefighters) 

Step 2: $6975 monthly (All laterals will be Step 2 with current minimum qualifications.) 

Step 3: $7200 monthly

Step 4: $7500 monthly

Shift: 24-hour day (one day on, two days off)

14 Kelly Days Annually

Employment Category: Full-Time

Union Affiliation: IAFF 1919

FLSA: Nonexempt

LEOFF II WA State Retirement

City of Cheney Supplemental Retirement: 6.5% of all gross wages to a 457B plan (additional to base salary and incentives)

Employee Deferred Comp program

Education Incentives 

Medical Expense Retirement Plan (MERP) $75 monthly 

IAFF Health and Wellness Trust Medical plan 85% employer/15% employee for up to full family

Dental and Vision Coverage

11 Paid Holidays

$50,000 Life Insurance

VEBA program monthly stipend up to $4000 annually provided by employer based on insurance status

Short Term Disability 100%

Long Term Disability 100%

Competitive paid sick and vacation leave