Located along the Columbia River near the confluence of the Columbia, Yakima and Snake rivers in southeastern Washington, Kennewick is a growing community of 89,220 that enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine each year. Kennewick, together with the neighboring cities of Richland and Pasco, comprises the Tri-Cities metropolitan area, with a population of approximately 329,100. Kennewick is the largest of the Tri-Cities and is a regional shopping and entertainment hub and an outdoor recreational paradise. Kennewick offers breathtaking parks, a vibrant downtown, upscale dining and retail, art galleries, antique shops and a variety of entertainment venues.

Columbia Center is one of the largest enclosed shopping centers in Eastern Washington, and downtown Kennewick continues to undergo revitalization focused on creating a welcoming gathering place with a comfortable, hometown atmosphere. The Tri-Cities also boasts more than 200 wineries within a one-hour drive, along with numerous craft breweries and tasting rooms.

The Tri-Cities is a sports-minded community, which is reflected in its many public athletic facilities. The area is home to the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League and the Tri-City Dust Devils, the High-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. The Toyota Center in Kennewick is home to the Tri-City Americans and hosts a variety of sporting and entertainment events throughout the year. Golf is also enjoyed nearly year-round, with ten public courses throughout the area offering opportunities for experienced golfers and beginners alike.

The confluence of the Snake, Yakima and Columbia rivers has produced an aquatic playground that brings water lovers from throughout the region together to enjoy sailing, boating, water-skiing, swimming, fishing, windsurfing and more. The annual Benton-Franklin Fair and Rodeo showcases championship cowboys and bull riders and features country and pop music entertainment.

Columbia Basin College and Washington State University Tri-Cities are located in the neighboring cities of Pasco and Richland. CBC offers a variety of associate degree and vocational and technical programs, while WSU Tri-Cities provides undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

The Kennewick Fire Department (KFD) is a full-service, all-hazards fire and emergency medical services department serving approximately 89,220 residents across 29.8 square miles. Emergency services are delivered from five strategically located fire stations throughout the City.

KFD provides fire suppression, Basic and Advanced Life Support emergency medical care and ambulance transport, hazardous materials response, technical and rope rescue, vehicle extrication, fire prevention and other emergency and non-emergency services. The department responds to approximately 14,000 calls for service annually, an average of nearly 40 calls each day, with more than 70% involving emergency medical services.

KFD’s mission is to “Partner with our community to proactively reduce risk and mitigate fire and life safety emergencies for those who live, work, and recreate in and around the City of Kennewick.” Guided by the values of Honor, Selflessness and Competence, KFD is committed to excellent public service, teamwork, continuous learning and the health and well-being of its workforce. As Kennewick continues to grow, the department remains focused on meeting the community’s current and future emergency-service needs.

CORE VALUE STATEMENT

The City of Kennewick will provide excellent public service and ensure the safety and well-being of our community and one another through the empowerment of each employee. We value integrity, inclusiveness, stewardship, and communication. We are accountable to our community for innovative and collaborative efforts that anticipate needs, leverage resources, and deliver solutions.

SAFETY STATEMENT

We expect our employees to comply with all applicable safety practices and policies, including those established by OSHA/DOSH regulations and the City’s Accident Prevention Plan. This includes, but is not limited to, actively identifying and correcting potential hazards that may affect employee or public safety, including hazards identified by co-workers. Employees are expected to lead by example and promote a positive culture of workplace safety through their everyday actions, emphasizing the safe completion of work throughout the development and implementation of work plans.

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY

Under general supervision, protects the lives and property of City of Kennewick residents and visitors from fires, medical emergencies, and human-caused or natural disasters through education, inspection, code enforcement, investigation, fire suppression, emergency medical treatment, training, and related activities.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

An employee in this classification applies firefighting and emergency medical skills acquired through work experience and specialized training and certification programs. Work requires the performance of hazardous or stressful duties under adverse emergency conditions and may involve strenuous physical exertion in challenging environments.

The Firefighter/Paramedic is distinguished from the Firefighter/EMT by the additional responsibility to provide advanced life support care and perform technical paramedic duties within the employee’s scope of certification and applicable medical protocols.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED

Responds to fires, medical emergencies, rescues, hazardous-materials incidents, and other emergency and non-emergency calls with an assigned company. Lays and connects hose; holds nozzles and directs water streams; raises and climbs ladders; and uses portable fire extinguishers, bars, hooks, lines, and other equipment to control and extinguish fires.

Drives Fire Department apparatus; operates pumps and auxiliary apparatus; ventilates burning buildings by opening windows or cutting openings in roofs, walls, and floors; evacuates people from fires and other dangerous situations; frees people trapped in vehicles or buildings; operates rescue tools; performs emergency medical and lifesaving procedures; and conducts salvage and overhaul operations.

Inspects buildings and properties for compliance with the Washington State Fire Code, applicable City ordinances, and other adopted fire-prevention standards. Advises property owners of hazards and areas of noncompliance. Conducts pre-incident planning for high-hazard or special occupancies, including inspections and preparation of block and floor plans.

Participates in classes, training programs, and drills involving firefighting, apparatus and equipment operation, rescue activities, and the delivery of emergency medical services. Completes required records and reports.

Performs general maintenance and housekeeping duties involving Fire Department facilities, grounds, apparatus, and equipment. Cleans and maintains facilities; performs minor repairs; washes, hangs, and dries fire hose; cleans, polishes, and tests apparatus and equipment; tests and flows hydrants; operates radio and communications equipment when assigned; and performs related duties and overtime as required.

Paramedic Duties

Uses and operates mobile medical equipment, including cardiac monitors and defibrillators, airway-management equipment, medication-delivery equipment, backboards, dressings, splints, and other advanced life support equipment.

Examines and assesses patients at emergency scenes; monitors respiration, pulse, neurological status, and other physiological signs; and provides emergency medical treatment within the employee’s scope of certification and applicable protocols, standing orders, and medical-control direction.

Monitors and documents patient vital signs and treatment. Uses radio, telephone, or telemetry equipment to communicate pertinent medical information to medical-control personnel and receiving facilities. Stabilizes and transports patients and operates ambulances when assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Must be a citizen of the United States or a lawful permanent resident. Must have an education equivalent to a high school diploma or GED and be able to effectively speak, read, and write the English language.

Ability to learn and apply modern concepts of fire prevention and loss control; learn, use, and deliver a wide variety of firefighting and emergency medical services, equipment, and methods; understand and follow specific oral and written instructions; and learn the geographic layout of the City within the prescribed probationary period.

Ability to act calmly, coherently, and decisively during stressful situations; perform prolonged, hazardous, and physically demanding work under adverse emergency conditions, including smoky or confined environments; move and lift heavy objects or people; accurately and efficiently complete records and reports; and establish and maintain courteous and effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, patients, and the public.

Must be able to perform the essential functions and physical requirements of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Must be a non-user of tobacco and tobacco products.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be at least eighteen years old at the time of application and successfully pass the required physical ability test, written and oral examinations, background investigation, and pre-employment medical and psychological evaluations.

Must possess a current and valid Washington State Paramedic certification or National Registry Paramedic certification at the time of hire.

Must successfully pass the Benton-Franklin Counties protocols examination within two months of hire.

Must obtain a valid Washington State driver’s license by the time of appointment and maintain it throughout employment.

Must successfully complete the required Washington State Fire Academy program within the first year of employment unless the requirement is waived based on previously completed, acceptable training.

Must participate in the Department’s three-year apprenticeship training program.

Must successfully complete all probationary requirements to maintain employment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

To perform the essential functions of the position, employees must be able to stoop, kneel, crawl, crouch, reach, climb, stand, walk, pull, push, grasp, see, hear, and lift.

Heavy work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Kennewick Fire Department - Firefighter/Paramedic has 1 vacancy.

We typically pull test results from National Testing Network (NTN) and Public Safety Testing (PST) once each month. The results are processed, and successful candidates are added to the appropriate Kennewick Fire Department eligibility list. Eligibility lists are presented to the Civil Service Commission at its regular meeting, scheduled for the third Tuesday of each month. Once the Civil Service Commission has approved an eligibility list, the Fire Department may begin processing candidates for the next step of the recruitment process as vacancies and processing capacity allow. To view the most recently approved Civil Service eligibility lists, visit https://www.go2kennewick.com/585/Civil-Service-Commission.

The City maintains the following fire eligibility lists:

• Firefighter – National Testing Network

• Firefighter – Public Safety Testing

• Firefighter/Paramedic – National Testing Network

• Firefighter/Paramedic – Public Safety Testing

Placement on an eligibility list does not guarantee immediate processing or appointment. Candidates are contacted as vacancies occur and the Fire Department has the capacity to process additional applicants. When the Fire Department has capacity to begin processing additional candidates, selected applicants will receive an email from Susan Helsley at susan.helsley@ci.kennewick.wa.us with instructions for submitting the required background investigation documents. Please add this email address to your safe-sender list and check your email regularly, including your spam or junk folder. Failure to respond or submit the required information by the stated deadline may result in removal from the recruitment process or eligibility list and may require the candidate to retest before being considered again.

Background Process: Candidates selected to move forward must successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation. Applicants must provide complete, accurate and truthful information throughout every stage of the hiring process. Under the City’s Civil Service rules, the Civil Service Commission may refuse to examine or certify an applicant, or may remove an applicant from an eligibility list, for reasons including:

• Dismissal from employment for delinquency or misconduct

• Failure to meet the physical or psychological requirements of the position

• Disqualifying criminal convictions or conduct

• Intentional omissions, dishonesty, deception, fraud or false statements during the hiring process

• Dishonorable discharge from military service

• Workplace conduct that could have resulted in serious discipline or termination

• Habitual excessive use of intoxicating liquor or use of narcotics

• Failure to meet the requirements stated in the examination announcement

• Failure to meet the minimum standards established for an oral interview

• Other material reasons permitted under the Civil Service rules

Candidates who successfully complete the background investigation and are approved to receive a conditional offer of employment must also successfully complete the required medical and psychological evaluations.

2026 Firefighter/Paramedic Salary Information: $103,822 to $131,830 per year, excluding holiday pay, overtime, specialty pay, and other applicable premiums. 

Monthly Salaries: Step 1 - $8,652; Step 2 - $9,430; Step 3 - $10,208; Step 4 - $10,986.

These amounts include the paramedic differential, which is equal to 13% of Step 4 Firefighter pay, currently approximately $1,264 per month or $15,166 per year.

Pay step increases are effective upon successful completion of the requirements for the corresponding step of the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) program.

Paramedic Retention Pay: Paramedics who maintain their certification beyond five years receive a total differential of 14% of Step 4 Firefighter pay. Paramedics who maintain their certification beyond ten years receive a total differential of 15%.

Employees may also qualify for specialty-team pay and education and longevity incentive pay.

The City of Kennewick offers firefighters a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical Insurance: The City pays 95% of the medical insurance premium, and employees pay 5%. For 2026, employee premiums are $47.62 or $52.73 per month for employee-only coverage and $142.24 or $157.53 per month for full-family coverage, depending on the plan selected.

• Dental, Vision, Long-Term Disability and EAP: The City pays 100% of the employee premium.

• Vacation Leave: New firefighters earn 16 hours of vacation leave per month, with accrual increasing based on years of service.

• Sick Leave: New firefighters receive 144 hours of sick leave upon hire. After the first six months, firefighters accrue 24 hours per month through their first three years of employment.

• Holiday Pay: Firefighters may receive up to 120 hours of holiday pay, paid as a lump sum in December.

• Retirement: Firefighters participate in the Washington State LEOFF Plan 2 pension system, which provides a lifetime retirement benefit and survivor options. Full retirement is available at age 53, with reduced retirement available as early as age 50, subject to applicable plan requirements.

• Deferred Compensation: The City contributes 5% of the employee’s salary to a 457 deferred compensation plan. No employee match is required.

• Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan: The City contributes $75 per month to a MERP account to help pay eligible medical expenses and health insurance premiums in retirement.

• Life Insurance: The City provides $25,000 in life insurance coverage. Employees may also purchase additional voluntary group term life insurance.

• Uniforms and Equipment: The City pays for required firefighter uniforms and boots.

• Additional Benefits: Flexible Spending Accounts, tuition assistance, wellness programming and access to fitness facilities.