We are HIRING!
Career Firefighter/EMT
Join the Williston Fire Department in beautiful Chittenden County, Vermont! We're a thriving combination career/paid-on-call department and are looking for a dedicated Career Firefighter/EMT to join our dynamic team. Ideal candidates possess a strong work ethic, EMS (and preferably Fire) experience, a clean driving record, and are detail oriented. Share your passion for public service, training, and exceeding expectations with us!
Why Williston?
Department Overview:
Minimum Qualifications:
Responsibilities include, and are not limited to:
Work Schedule:
Salary and Benefits:
How to Apply:
Applications are due by November 6, 2023. Click here for an application. Please submit a cover letter and resume with your completed application to applications@willistonfire.com or mail to the address below.
Williston Fire Department
Attn: Chief of Department, Aaron J. Collette
645 Talcott Road
Williston, Vermont, 05495
The Town of Williston is an equal opportunity employer.
- One of Vermont's fastest-growing towns with a vibrant community of over 10,000 residents.
- Daytime population exceeds 20,000 due to bustling commerce and retail.
- A community that balances growth with open space to create a sought-out community to live, work and play.
- Surrounded by natural beauty, nestled between Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains.
Department Overview:
- Annual call volume of 2,000+ incidents, including 1,400+ Emergency Medical Responses.
- Paramedic-level emergency transport ambulance.
- ALS Engine Company operational 24/7 with plans for expansion.
Minimum Qualifications:
- National Registry - EMT certification at application.
- Firefighter I, AEMT, or Paramedic certified preferred.
- If not already Firefighter 1 certified, required to obtain certification within the first 12 months.
- Current Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certification is required prior to employment.
- Successful completion of a background check.
Responsibilities include, and are not limited to:
- Provide emergency medical services such as taking vital signs, administering semiautomatic defibrillation, conducting patient assessments, and other patient care tasks.
- Perform interior firefighting activities such as utilizing fire hoses, heavy stream appliances, extinguishers, ladders, and ventilating burning buildings.
- Respond to various emergencies in Williston and mutual aid communities.
- Contribute to fire prevention programs and educational activities.
- Active participation in Fire and EMS training events and lesson plan development.
- Frequent strenuous physical work, often in situations of severe personal danger and exposure to various weather conditions and hazardous environments.
- Administrative and operational duties associated with daily firehouse operations.
- Please read the full job description here.
Work Schedule:
- Estimated Start Date: December 2023
- Union (IAFF) positions with a 24-hour on / 48-hour off shift schedule.
- Schedule includes nights, weekends, and holidays.
Salary and Benefits:
- Starting salary: $55, 020*.
- For further salary and benefits information, contact admin@willistonfire.com.
How to Apply:
Applications are due by November 6, 2023. Click here for an application. Please submit a cover letter and resume with your completed application to applications@willistonfire.com or mail to the address below.
Williston Fire Department
Attn: Chief of Department, Aaron J. Collette
645 Talcott Road
Williston, Vermont, 05495
The Town of Williston is an equal opportunity employer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I consider joining the Williston Fire Department?
First and foremost, it is a great way to serve your community.
Williston Fire also focuses on training its members to a high degree of excellence.
The community at Williston Fire is a very strong group known for helping each other out.
Williston Fire also focuses on training its members to a high degree of excellence.
The community at Williston Fire is a very strong group known for helping each other out.
What are the qualifications to join our call staff?
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Attend our training events that are scheduled every other Monday from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
- Complete the Williston Fire Department's orientation program.
- If you have no prior experience, you must begin a Firefighter Level One class within one year of joining the Department. There is no cost for the class, and the Department will provide all gear and equipment needed. Firefighters are exempt from Department training for the duration of the class.
How do I join the Williston Fire Department?
- Fill out the Call Staff Application at the top of this page and submit it using the link below.
- A Department staff member will contact you to give you our current timeline for bringing members onto the Department.
- We will then schedule ride-alongs at the station so you can see what we do and if this is a good choice of work for you.
- You will be scheduled for an interview and a physical agility test.
- Next you will have to get a fit for duty physical and agree to a background check. Both of these are paid for by the Department.
- If approved, you will begin your orientation program (see below for more info).
- After orientation, you will start running calls with the Williston Fire Department.
Can I submit an application to join the Call Staff now?
YES!
Complete our Call Staff Application.
You can email your application
HERE
or drop it off at the station.
Complete our Call Staff Application.
You can email your application
HERE
or drop it off at the station.
How is the Department structured?
The Williston Fire Department (WFD) is what is referred to as a Combination Department.
It is comprised of both full-time career staff and part-time call staff (also known as 'on-call members'),
all of who provide essential fire, rescue and safety services to the Town of Williston.
It is comprised of both full-time career staff and part-time call staff (also known as 'on-call members'),
all of who provide essential fire, rescue and safety services to the Town of Williston.
What is an on-call firefighter?
The Williston Fire Department has two types of personnel: Career staff and call staff.
Career staff are full-time employees of the Department who work 24-hour shifts every third day.
The Fire Department is their full-time job.
Call staff are part-time employees of the Department who respond to emergencies on an as-needed basis.
Call staff have regular jobs and responsibilities outside of the Department.
They serve for the love of their community, the profession, and for their firefighting family.
Not many other opportunities allow you to make such a positive impact on people.
Career staff are full-time employees of the Department who work 24-hour shifts every third day.
The Fire Department is their full-time job.
Call staff are part-time employees of the Department who respond to emergencies on an as-needed basis.
Call staff have regular jobs and responsibilities outside of the Department.
They serve for the love of their community, the profession, and for their firefighting family.
Not many other opportunities allow you to make such a positive impact on people.
Must I live in Williston to join the Department?
The short answer is - NO.
Call staff members who do not live in Williston do not participate in our "respond from home" model,
instead they sign up for 12-hour shifts, where they serve along side our career staff
For call staff members who do live in/around Williston - if you live within a 10 minute response zone, you may
participate in a "responsd from home" model.
This "response zone" is considered either living anywhere in Williston
or living within 10 minutes of the fire station
(determined by a Google Maps search done at low traffic hours of the day).
Individuals who are fully certified as a Firefighter and/or EMT
and who live outside the response zone when they apply
will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Call staff members who do not live in Williston do not participate in our "respond from home" model,
instead they sign up for 12-hour shifts, where they serve along side our career staff
For call staff members who do live in/around Williston - if you live within a 10 minute response zone, you may
participate in a "responsd from home" model.
This "response zone" is considered either living anywhere in Williston
or living within 10 minutes of the fire station
(determined by a Google Maps search done at low traffic hours of the day).
Individuals who are fully certified as a Firefighter and/or EMT
and who live outside the response zone when they apply
will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Is prior experience needed to apply?
No. Prior training or experience is not required to apply.
During your first year, you will enroll in a VT Fire Academy Firefighter Level One class.
In addition, our in-house training will make you a valuable asset to the Department
before you complete your Firefighter Level One class.
During your first year, you will enroll in a VT Fire Academy Firefighter Level One class.
In addition, our in-house training will make you a valuable asset to the Department
before you complete your Firefighter Level One class.
What if I have prior experience?
We encourage individuals with prior training or experience to apply
and we do allow dual membership with other departments while serving with WFD.
Please send proof of your certifications, class records and/or grades, with your employment application
which will be reviewed by the WFD Training Officer.
If you meet our interior firefighting training requirements, it will speed up your orientation process
and allow you to respond to calls sooner.
and we do allow dual membership with other departments while serving with WFD.
Please send proof of your certifications, class records and/or grades, with your employment application
which will be reviewed by the WFD Training Officer.
If you meet our interior firefighting training requirements, it will speed up your orientation process
and allow you to respond to calls sooner.
Are call staff members paid or compensated?
Yes. Call staff are part-time employees of the Department who receive
a stipend for shifts along with an hourly wage for calls, training and duty time.
Other benefits include life insurance, accident/sickness coverage, full use of our fitness facility,
annual physicals, free fire training, and the provision of all uniforms.
a stipend for shifts along with an hourly wage for calls, training and duty time.
Other benefits include life insurance, accident/sickness coverage, full use of our fitness facility,
annual physicals, free fire training, and the provision of all uniforms.
What equipment or gear costs will I be expected to pay?
All personal protective equipment and gear associated with fire training and/or response
are fully paid for by the Department.
are fully paid for by the Department.
Does the Williston Fire Department have equal requirements
for entry and training?
Yes. Medical and physical requirements are the same for both
fire and EMS entry and training.
The Williston Fire Department follows OSHA and NFPA standards
and is an equal opportunity employer.
fire and EMS entry and training.
The Williston Fire Department follows OSHA and NFPA standards
and is an equal opportunity employer.
What is the Physical Agility Test?
Every prospective staff member is required to do a physical agility test prior to joining the Department.
These tests ensure members are capable of doing the tasks required of a Firefighter and/or EMT.
Examples include, but are not limited to, pulling hose lines, climbing ladders and carrying heavy objects.
These tests ensure members are capable of doing the tasks required of a Firefighter and/or EMT.
Examples include, but are not limited to, pulling hose lines, climbing ladders and carrying heavy objects.
What is the Orientation Program?
When new staff members join the Department, they go through an introductory 3-day course.
This orientation program is taught by Department staff on weekend days and follows a structured lesson plan.
It is designed to give staff the basic skills they need to operate safely as a member of the Department.
The orientation program includes many hands on drills, including
car accident scenarios where new members get to cut apart cars in a simulated rescue situation.
After orientation is completed, the Department prides itself on giving members access to high quality monthly training,
both in house and out of house, so that members can continue to learn.
This orientation program is taught by Department staff on weekend days and follows a structured lesson plan.
It is designed to give staff the basic skills they need to operate safely as a member of the Department.
The orientation program includes many hands on drills, including
car accident scenarios where new members get to cut apart cars in a simulated rescue situation.
After orientation is completed, the Department prides itself on giving members access to high quality monthly training,
both in house and out of house, so that members can continue to learn.
I am interested in responding to emergency medical calls.
The Department currently has an active EMS component
and individuals with EMS certification are encouraged to apply.
AEMT or Paramedic certification is preferred but not required.
If you come to us without Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification,
we will work on getting you certified as a firefighter before transitioning to EMS.
and individuals with EMS certification are encouraged to apply.
AEMT or Paramedic certification is preferred but not required.
If you come to us without Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification,
we will work on getting you certified as a firefighter before transitioning to EMS.
How many emergencies must I respond to?
Call staff who live within the response zone are expected to respond to 5% of emergency calls per month.
This is an average of 5-10 calls per month.
Members who live outside the response zone are assigned to shifts
which vary in length and number based on the individual's certification level.
More information will be provided during Orientation.
Typically, call staff members willingly respond to about 20% of calls.
While we would like members to help with every call,
we understand that our members all have other commitments and responsibilities.
This is an average of 5-10 calls per month.
Members who live outside the response zone are assigned to shifts
which vary in length and number based on the individual's certification level.
More information will be provided during Orientation.
Typically, call staff members willingly respond to about 20% of calls.
While we would like members to help with every call,
we understand that our members all have other commitments and responsibilities.
How do I respond to emergency calls?
Upon completion of Orientation, call staff members upload an app to their phone and receive a small voice pager.
When the 911 center receives a call for Williston Fire Department, they notify our dispatch agency
who broadcasts the alarm over our voice pagers and uploads it to the app.
Initial alarms have a different tone and channel, which can be monitored to determine the nature and urgency of the call.
When you see/hear the call come in, you decide if you are available to respond.
If you are at work , at a special family event, or trying to get a good night’s sleep before a big day,
you can opt to not respond to the call.
Second alarms, or "working incident tones", are broadcast when a call is determined to be a true emergency,
is urgent in nature and/or additional help is needed.
Working incident tones are important and call staff members are needed!
If you can respond, you will check in on the app, alerting the other staff that you are responding.
You will then drive to the fire station and board the next responding fire engine to the emergency.
Upon return to the station, you will help clean and restock vehicles and equipment, and then everyone is released.
When the 911 center receives a call for Williston Fire Department, they notify our dispatch agency
who broadcasts the alarm over our voice pagers and uploads it to the app.
Initial alarms have a different tone and channel, which can be monitored to determine the nature and urgency of the call.
When you see/hear the call come in, you decide if you are available to respond.
If you are at work , at a special family event, or trying to get a good night’s sleep before a big day,
you can opt to not respond to the call.
Second alarms, or "working incident tones", are broadcast when a call is determined to be a true emergency,
is urgent in nature and/or additional help is needed.
Working incident tones are important and call staff members are needed!
If you can respond, you will check in on the app, alerting the other staff that you are responding.
You will then drive to the fire station and board the next responding fire engine to the emergency.
Upon return to the station, you will help clean and restock vehicles and equipment, and then everyone is released.
What kind of training is involved?
Williston firefighters respond to a variety of calls including building fires, vehicle accidents,
carbon monoxide alarms, brush fires, rescues, and much more.
To prepare for this, all new firefighters go through an orientation training program taught by Department staff.
Williston Fire will also sponsor new members through the VT Fire Academy Firefighter Level One class.
carbon monoxide alarms, brush fires, rescues, and much more.
To prepare for this, all new firefighters go through an orientation training program taught by Department staff.
Williston Fire will also sponsor new members through the VT Fire Academy Firefighter Level One class.
I have more questions.
If you would like more information or to arrange for a station tour, please fill out the short form below.