Firefighter

Job Overview

The City of Coeur d'Alene is looking to expand our eligibility list to hire Firefighters.

Candidates who have taken and passed the Public Safety Testing (PST) Inc. Firefighter Exam and have sent their scores to the City of Coeur d'Alene are invited to apply for the position of Firefighter.

If you have not taken the PST exam, please do not complete our application process. PST score must be less than 6 months old.

Firefighters protect the public in emergency situations; they respond to fires, accidents, medical emergencies, chemical spills, flooding, water rescue and other incidents where risks are posed to life and property. This job entails using sophisticated firefighting and rescue equipment, promoting fire safety, inspecting and enforcing safety standards, working with police and other emergency services, undertaking physical and academic training, and maintaining vehicles, equipment, hydrants, water supplies and general living/working quarters.

Firefighters may also receive training for and assume specialty roles in high‑rise training, ice rescue, lifeguard, confined space, fireboat operation, wildland apparatus, search and rescue and/or water rescue team or other areas.

• Public Safety Testing (PST) Written Exam: complete the PST written exam by Thursday, April 2, 2026. PST will send the City of Coeur d'Alene written exam scores and the City will invite the top 50–60 candidates for further testing.
• City of Coeur d'Alene Job Application:
  After completing the PST written exam, complete the online application by Friday, April 3, 2026 5 pm.
• Physical Agility Exam: the City of Coeur d'Alene Fire Department will proctor its own physical agility exam (Download PDF reader) in Coeur d'Alene on Sunday, April 19, 2026. Candidates must be present; the PST Firefighter Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) will not be accepted.  for our physical agility demonstration video.
• Interview:
  Following the physical agility exam, interviews will be scheduled for April 20–23, 2026 (all four days may not be needed, depends on the number of candidates). Only successful applicants passing the physical agility will be scheduled for an interview.

Current base hourly wage range is $21.52–$33.11 per hour (56‑hour workweek), increasing 3.5% in October 2026 & 3.5% in October 2027. Firefighters are eligible for service‑time increases per collective bargaining agreement:

• Year 1: 8% increase
• Year 2: 8% increase
• Year 3: 8% increase
• Year 4: 6% increase
• Year 5: 9.5% increase and additional 5% if employee qualifies for senior pay

Current starting annual wage ranges:

• Firefighter/EMT – $62,666–$96,416
• Firefighter/Advanced EMT – $65,433–$99,183
• Firefighter/Paramedic – $74,605–$108,356

Additional hourly pay is available per CBA for FLSA, educational incentive, holiday pay, etc. Additional hourly pay is not included in the above wages; holiday pay is an additional benefit paid to firefighters annually at employee’s base wage × 264 hours (11 total holidays).

• Participates in training and develops skills and techniques in firefighting, hazardous materials response, emergency medical and lifesaving activities;
• Responds to fire scenes, natural disasters, vehicle accidents and various medical emergencies;
• Works as part of a team or individually to combat fires, rescue victims and/or render support;
• Inspects and tests emergency medical, fire suppression and related tools and equipment to ensure serviceability and compliance;
• Uses mathematical formulas for computing hydraulics, fire containment and extinguishment practices and procedures;
• Cleans, refuels and performs basic and routine inspections on vehicles including cleaning and waxing;
• Performs general maintenance to station grounds such as cleaning, shoveling snow, painting, cutting grass and related duties;
• Performs various public information or education tasks;
• Prepares and writes reports;
• Performs assigned duties by ranking officers, such as preparing grant proposals, working with juvenile fire setters, maintaining hydrants, etc.;
• Instructs fire department personnel in various specialized areas;
• May receive training for or be assigned to a specialty area…