Pullman: Live. Work. Play.

Situated on the picturesque hills of the Palouse, Pullman is a small town with the amenities, culture, and services typically offered in urban environments. With an unparalleled standard of living, opportunities to hike, fish, bike ride, or just enjoy more than eight miles of city pathways and trails, Pullman is a place to call home. Having a world class research institute of higher living, Pullman also provides students, visitors, and residents a vibrant college town environment and access to innumerable high quality activities.

The department proudly serves the residents of Pullman, a diverse, vibrant and progressive city that is home to Washington State University. We also provide medical transport services to Whitman County Fire District 4, 12 and the City of Palouse.

Pullman Fire Department is a combination department comprised of full-time professional and reserve firefighters engaging in the performance of fire suppression and emergency medical services. Fire suppression is provided to all properties within the city limits of Pullman including Washington State University. Department Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians provide ambulance service to the city and to 450 square miles of rural area including the towns of Johnson, Albion, and Palouse.

FIREFIGHTER / EMT RECRUITMENT

Classification: Firefighter (3101)

Application Deadline: April 15, 2026

**Please read entire announcement before applying**

Responsibilities:

Drives apparatus in all weather and traffic conditions in a safe manner and as quickly as possible; provides emergency medical treatment in the field and in transit to medical facilities within certification level; disentangles and extricates individuals at the scene of an accident using common and specialized hand and power tools; fills out and completes ambulance records.

Conducts daily and weekly vehicle and equipment maintenance repairs or reports needed repairs to an officer; completes and routes forms and reports.

Controls and extinguishes fire and hazardous chemicals using water, chemicals, dry powders and gases; protects life and property by controlling hazardous situations, evacuating people, and moving property or protecting with covers; selects hose and nozzle to use and directs to extinguish fires; positions and climbs ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings or to assist people to exit structures; creates openings in buildings for ventilation or entrance using hand or power tools; fills out and processes fire reports.

Inspects businesses, single and multi-family residences, and student housing for compliance with city ordinances; investigates fires to determine probable cause.

Prepares for, conducts, or participates in training sessions; maintains fire station equipment and grounds including routine housekeeping and maintenance duties such as painting, mopping, cleaning, and general repairs.

Attends work on a regular and dependable basis. Interacts in a professional and respectful manner with city staff and the public. Performs other tasks as assigned.

This announcement will be used to establish three separate eligibility lists as follows:

1. Entry-Level Firefighter/EMT — Open/External

• Open to all qualified candidates.

• Scoring: 50% written exam, pass/fail physical agility, 50% assessment center/interview.

• Top 10 candidates from each testing platform certified to the appointing authority.

2. Firefighter/EMT — Internal (Reserve)

• Open only to current Reserve Firefighter/EMTs with Pullman Fire.

• Scoring: 50% written exam, pass/fail physical agility, 50% assessment center/interview.

• All qualifying reserve firefighters who achieve a score of 70% or greater on the written examination will be invited to the panel interview regardless of their ranking on the open entry-level list.

• All qualifying reserves who meet the 70% thresholds on both the written exam and assessment center/interview are placed on this list and ranked.

• Certified separately to the appointing authority.

• Note:Reserve firefighters who qualify may be placed on both the open entry-level list and the internal reserve list based on their scores.

3. Lateral Firefighter/EMT and Firefighter/Paramedic

• Open to qualified lateral candidates.

• Scoring: Pass/fail physical agility, 100% assessment center/interview.

• Certified separately to the appointing authority.

Candidates who qualify for more than one eligibility list will be ranked on each list for which they are eligible. Each list will be certified independently to the appointing authority.

IMPORTANT — Current Reserve Firefighters:If you are a current Reserve Firefighter/EMT with Pullman Fire, you must identify yourself as such at the time of application. This ensures you are considered for the internal reserve eligibility list in addition to any other list(s) for which you may qualify. Contact the Chief Examiner if you have questions about this process.

Entry-Level Minimum Qualifications:

• 21 years of age at the time of appointment.

• High school graduate or G.E.D.

• Be a United States citizen or hold appropriate documentation to work in the United States.

• Ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend the English language.

• Current Washington State or National Registry EMT by application deadline. Able to obtain Washington State Certification within 60 days after academy completion (if applicable).

• Valid Driver’s License by date of application deadline. Able to obtain Washington License within 90 days of hire if needed.

• Good driving record as verified by a background investigation.

• Successfully pass a mandatory pre-employment Medical Physical.

• Successfully pass the Washington State Fire Academy if applicable.

• Candidates must meet the minimum requirements of Section 41.08.070 of the Revised Code of Washington.

Lateral-Transfer Qualifications (in addition to the entry-level qualifications above):

• Successful completion of a fire academy that meets all the requirements for Firefighter 1 and 2 certifications as established in NFPA 1001 and NFPA 472 as determined by hiring authority. Firefighters not certified as IFSAC/Pro Board Firefighter 1 and 2 must complete the certification process before the end of the trial period.

• Currently employed as a firefighter with a fire protection agency.

• Minimum of two years of full-time structural firefighting experience in a jurisdiction similar in size or larger than the City of Pullman, or equivalent as determined by hiring authority.

• Possession of current certification as either an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B, AEMT, or Paramedic, hiring authority to determine required certification level at time of announcement) in the state of residence or national registry and able to obtain equivalent level of certification as recognized by the state of Washington within 3 months of appointment.

Salary and Benefits:

• Pay and benefits for the Pullman Fire Department are determined by collective bargaining agreements between the City of Pullman and IAFF Local 1892.

• 4-platoon schedule with a 47.5-hour workweek.

• Firefighter Pay Scale 2026:

• Step 1: $6,564/month to Step 5: $7,979/month

• Education Incentive: 2% for Associate’s Degree; 4% for Bachelor’s Degree

• Paramedic Premium 11% for Firefighter/Paramedics.

• 108 hours annual flexible paid leave with ability to cash out annually.

• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Top Tier Health Insurance and Vision plan starting as low as $0.00 for a $100 deductible.

• Dental: $0.00 for employee and dependents.

• Life & Accidental Death & Disability Insurance.

• LEOFF2 Retirement Plan.

• Elective Deferred Compensation Plan.

Selection Process:

Step 1: Apply, Schedule, and Complete Written Test Prior to April 15, 2026.

Initial testing is conducted by Public Safety Testing (PST) and/or National Testing Network (NTN). Entry-level and internal reserve candidates must pass a written examination with a score of 70% or above. Lateral applicants are not required to complete a written examination but must still apply via PST, NTN, or on the City of Pullman website.

Public Safety Testing – Firefighter

National Testing Network – Public Safety Exams

All candidates must test by April 15, 2026. The Pullman Civil Service Commission will pull scores on April 16, 2026. The applicant’s highest test score within the past year will be used. If applicable, preference points will be added to the written score to determine the cut-off point for advancing to the Panel Interview.

Step 2: Successful Completion of Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT).

Candidates must have completed the CPAT and submitted their results by April 15, 2026. The CPAT must have been completed no more than 12 months prior to the deadline date of April 15, 2026.

PST – CPAT Information

NTN – CPAT Information

Step 3: Panel Interview (May 5, 2026 and/or May 6, 2026).

Candidates who have successfully completed the previous steps will be invited to the panel interview as follows:

• Entry-Level (Open/External):The top 10 scoring candidates (subject to change) from each testing platform will be invited to the panel interview.

• Internal Reserve Firefighters:All current Reserve Firefighter/EMTs with Pullman Fire who achieve a passing score of 70% or greater on the written examination will be invited to the panel interview, regardless of their ranking on the overall entry-level scores.

• Lateral Candidates:All qualifying lateral candidates who have completed the application and CPAT requirements will be invited to the panel interview.

Candidates must pass the panel interview with a combined score of 70% or higher to move forward in the process.

Step 4: Civil Service Approval of Eligibility Lists (May 27, 2026).

The Commission will approve eligibility lists based on current civil service rules. Candidates will be notified of placement on their respective eligibility list(s). Candidates who qualify for more than one list will be placed on each list for which they are eligible.

Step 5: Chief’s Interview.

If there are open positions available, a Fire Chief’s panel will interview and select candidates using the established Pullman Civil Service guidelines. Additional evaluation may be required prior to offer of employment.

Recruitment Timeline:

Additional Information:

• New employees will be sent to a fire academy and will receive IFSAC Firefighter 1, 2, and Haz Mat Operations certifications. Lateral employees may be required to complete all or a portion of a fire academy as determined by the hiring authority.

• Individuals applying for preference points shall notify the Chief Examiner no later than 5:00 PM on April 15, 2026. Veteran’s preference points shall be accorded as required by RCW 41.04.010 as it now exists or may hereafter be amended. Reserve firefighters currently employed by the City of Pullman or having been employed in the previous 3 years may receive preference points after receiving a passing score (70% or higher) on the written examination. Reserve applicants are eligible for 2% points of the test score per service year up to 5 years or 10%. Preference points apply to placement on the open entry-level eligibility list.

• The life of the eligibility list shall follow Civil Service Rules as outlined in Rule V Section 9.

• The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

• The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

• The City of Pullman is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.

Please reach out to Heidi Pederson at heidi.pederson@pullman-wa.gov or 509-338-3155 if you have questions regarding this announcement.

Further Questions?

Pullman Fire Department - Firefighter has 1 vacancy.

The eligibility list is created based on a combination of scores received from PST and oral board interviews for those candidates invited to interview. Vacancies are filled by Civil Service "rule of three" with the top three candidates forwarded to the appointed authority for background investigation and selection as vacancies occur.

Recruitment is open:  February 25, 2026

End of Current Recruitment: April 15, 2026

Candidate Oral Boards: Between April 27, 2026 and May 8, 2026

Commission will Certify Eligibility List May 27, 2026

Chief's Interviews will be conducted before June 12, 2026. 

Number of Current Vacancies: 1

Entry Level - $6385/month

All uniforms and equipment are issued by Pullman Fire Department.Vacation and benefits include 11 paid holidays, 12 paid vacation days (increases with longevity), 12 paid sick days per year, enrollment in Washington State LEOFF2 Retirement, Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance provided for employee; employee contributes 10% for eligible dependents' medical insurance.