Kootenai County Fire & Rescue - Firefighter/EMT & Firefighter/Paramedic
Kootenai County Fire & Rescue - Firefighter/EMT & Firefighter/Paramedic
Last updated on November 09, 2026
PST Partner Agency since July 29, 2021
Vacancies: 1-5
Testing Deadline: December 06, 2026.
Important Information
2027 Tentative Hiring Process - Vacancies: 1 - 5
Kootenai County Fire & Rescue (KCFR) is currently testing for Firefighter/EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic positions. Following is the tentative timeline:
Testing & Requirement Deadline: 12/06/2026 by 11:59 PM
Panel Interviews (in Post Falls): 1/05/2027 & 1/06/2027
Chief Interviews (in Post Falls): 1/26/2027
Pre-Employment Testing (physical exams & drug screening): 1-2 days during week of 2/01/27 - 2/05/27 (in Post Falls)
Academy Start (traditionally 8-10 weeks): 3/01/2027
How Eligibility Works
You must complete requirements below to be eligible for hire. Once you do, your name is placed on our eligibility list. Keep your Candidate Profile current to remain active on the list. During each hiring process, KCFR selects from the most qualified candidates on the list.
Scoring: Your PST written test score is your total overall score. Veteran Preference Points, when applicable, are added to the written score to create the overall score.
Requirements to Apply
- Successfully complete the PST written exam - written test scores from 5/13/26 through 12/06/26 will be reviewed
- Complete the PST Personal History Statement (PHS) - must be complete between 5/13/26 through 12/06/26
- Possess a nationally verifiable CPAT (PST, National Testing Network, Cal-JAC/FCTC, or State Fire Commissions/Academies) - you must have a passed, nationally verifiable CPAT on file, dated 1/01/2025 through 12/06/2026 - you must upload your own certification to your candidate profile if you possess a Non-PST certification & title the document "CPAT"
- Upload your current National Registry License or Idaho (or reciprocal) State EMS License (EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic level) - continued employment is contingent upon obtaining an Idaho State EMS license - you must upload your EMS license to your candidate profile
- (Optional) Veterans wishing to claim preference points - you must upload a copy of the DD 214 form to your candidate profile (must be an honorable discharge) - 5 preference points will be added to your written test score, to create your total overall score. 10 points are added for veterans discharged under honorable conditions who have a current service-connected disability of 10% or more (must provide proof of service connected disability rating in addition to DD 214).
Important: Required Documents to Upload to your Candidate Profile
Incomplete profiles will not be eligible for hire. You must upload both of the following:
- Your Non-PST CPAT certification. Title the document “CPAT”
- Your current EMS license
Next Steps
KCFR will invite the most qualified candidates to a panel interview. Invited candidates will receive an email with instructions to complete the KCFR application and other required documentation and instructions.
Please note: These positions are not covered by Social Security, per the Social Security Section 218 Proclamation 2012-02.
Community Information
Department Information
Area Information
Hiring Status
Hiring Process / Timelines
Salary Information
Benefit Information
Required Documents
| Document | Description | Example Files | Required | Preference Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPAT Certification |
For Non-PST CPAT's: you are required to upload a copy of your CPAT Certification. Read More |
None | ||
| DD214 | Read Description | None | ||
| Certifications/licenses |
OPTIONAL: upload a copy of any relevant professional fire service cert's (for example: Firefighter 1 or Firefighter 2 - IFSAC or IFSAC equivalent). Read More |
None | ||
| EMT Certification | REQUIRED: Upload your EMS license - EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic level - be sure it clearly shows your name, provider level, and issue/expiration dates. | None |
Kootenai County Fire & Rescue - Firefighter/EMT & Firefighter/Paramedic Requirements
| Category | Requirement | Required at time of... | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test | Hire | ||
| Written Examination |
Yes, required All applicants with written test scores from 5/13/26 through 12/06/26 will be reviewed |
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| Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) |
Yes, required as described below PST or any nationally verifiable CPAT - you must have a passed, nationally verifiable CPAT on file, dated 1/01/2025 through 12/06/2026
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| PST Personal History Statement |
Yes, PHS must be complete between 5/13/26 through 12/06/2026. |
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| Minimum Age | 18 | ||
| Citizenship | US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident | ||
| High School Grad/ GED | Yes | ||
| Driver's License Required | Yes | ||
| Felony Conviction(s) as an Adult | No adult felony convictions at any time. | ||
| Felony Conviction(s) as a Juvenile | Some juvenile convictions may be considered a disqualifier. We will closely review. Include a detailed description in your PHS. | ||
| Ability to Read, Speak & Write the English Language | Yes | ||
| Vision Requirements | Must meet NFPA 1580 vision standards. | ||
| Prior Experience Requirement | 3-4 years of Firefighter/EMT experience is not required but highly preferred. | ||
| Veterans Preference Points | Yes, must upload to your candidate profile your DD Form 214 to display proof of Honorable Discharge. | ||
| EMT Certification |
Yes, must posses a current National Registry or Idaho (or reciprocal) State EMS License (EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic level) -continued employment is contingent upon obtaining an Idaho State EMS license - EMS License must be uploaded to your profile. |
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| Other Preference Points |
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| Prior FF Experience Required |
3-4 years of Firefighter/EMT experience is not required but highly preferred. |
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| Prior EMT Experience Required |
3-4 years of Firefighter/EMT experience is not required but highly preferred. |
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| Body Decorations |
1. Body art that is deemed inappropriate or offensive shall not be exposed. 2. Piercings shall not be visible, exposed, or interfere with PPE. |
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| Other |
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS: items described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary elements (essential functions) of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night shifts. Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. Individual is exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents and oils. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts, in confined spaces, in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. It is reasonably anticipated that the individual will be exposed to blood-borne pathogens and other infectious materials in the course of duties. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is frequently required during every day operations. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting or EMT activities when noise levels may be loud. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely required to see; sit; talk; hear; stand; walk; use of hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to lift, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and smell. The employee must routinely lift or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 100 (+) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Working near or around hostile situations and occasionally unknowingly entering hostile environments – standards and precautions to reduce risks are available and mandated. |
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| CPAT |
PST or any nationally verifiable CPAT - must be successful completion, valid Certification - acceptable date range from 1/01/2025 through 12/06/2026. Please upload your Non-PST CPAT Certification to your candidate profile and Title the document "CPAT". |
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| Multiple Scores from Same Applicant | Applicants (with multiple scores), highest score from 5/13/26 through 12/06/26 will be reviewed | ||
| Request/Access Scores | On an as-needed basis as vacancies occur | ||
Kootenai County Fire & Rescue - Firefighter/EMT & Firefighter/Paramedic Disqualifiers
The following are automatic and potential disqualifiers. Applicants should not apply to our agency if they indicate any of the automatic disqualifiers. Potential disqualifiers will be considered on a case by case basis.
| Category | Disqualifier | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driving |
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| Drug Usage |
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| Criminal Activity |
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| Employment |
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| Financial |
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Contact Information
Kootenai County Fire & Rescue - Firefighter/EMT & Firefighter/Paramedic
Agency Test Requirements
Written Examination: Yes, required
CPAT: Yes, required as described below
PST Personal History Statement:
Yes, PHS must be complete between 5/13/26 through 12/06/2026.
COVID-19 UPDATES
5/6/2020 Update:
TESTING IN WASHINGTON STATE CANCELED THROUGH MAY 31, 2020
All pre-employment tests in Washington State have been canceled until May 31, 2020 unless government restrictions are eased. With recent updates, facility closures, and government guidelines, this step is necessary and could be modified at any time. The health and safety of our customers, our staff, and their families is of the highest priority.
We will continue to evaluate developments and make changes to this policy as necessary. When we do resume testing, there will be plenty of events for everyone to test. We are in regular communication with our public safety agency partners, assessing alternatives to the traditional testing model and our testing policies. Any future updates will be posted on the PST website and our Facebook page.
4/1/2020 Update:
If you have tested with PST in the past 12 months, there may be additional positions you are now eligible to add. Several departments have temporarily changed their testing policies due to the suspension in testing that COVID-19 has caused. Please login to your PST account and navigate to the ‘New Positions’ page to see what departments you can add! We will regularly update that page in your account as departments send updates.
FUTURE TEST REGISTRATION
We know that there will be testing in the future - we just don’t know when! We want you to be prepared for when testing begins again so we have created test events on our calendar that you can register for that will place you in a queue to be first notified. These tests are not “real” test events, they are essentially a holding area. You will be able to “reschedule” out of that event to any other event date/location at no cost. Registering now will also give you time to work on your Personal History Statement (PHS) so that your data will be ready and up-to-date to send to your departments once testing resumes.
To sign up for this placeholder event, select the June 15, 2020 test date in your category (police, fire, 911 dispatch, corrections, etc.).
You may also click on the test event of interest below to sign up:
Law Enforcement & Corrections Written and Physical Ability Test
Please check back here frequently and ‘Like’ our Facebook page to stay updated.
PST staff are working remotely and are available by email at contact@publicsafetytesting.com. We anticipate a high email volume and will respond as quickly as possible.
