How to get hired at Chesterfield Fire & Emergency Medical Services
Chesterfield County hires uncertified career Firefighter/EMT recruits through a county application. The process covers a vendor-run written test, a panel interview, a background investigation, the Fireground Physical Ability Test (FPAT) and a pre-employment physical, and takes about six months. Recruits are paid their starting salary during a recruit school of up to 26 weeks. EMT certification is preferred but not required to apply.
Apply / get notifiedOfficial recruitment page
Minimum requirements
- Eligible to work in the United States src
- Valid driver's license with a DMV point balance of -1 or better src
- At least 18 years old by the written test src
- High school diploma or GED by the written test src
- No DUI/DWI, felony, hit-and-run, or driving on suspended/revoked license convictions in the past five years src
- No six or more demerit points in the prior 24 months, or a major six-point violation in the prior 36 months src
- Vision 20/20, or correctable to 20/25; medical marijuana use prohibited src
Certifications
- EMT: not required
- Firefighter I/II: not required (academy provided)
Source: official page
Tests
- Written test (outside vendor) (written): Math, mechanical aptitude, interpersonal/self-awareness skills, reading comprehension, writing; study guide provided src
- Panel interview (oral): About 30 minutes src
- FPAT (Fireground Physical Ability Test) (physical): 13-component continuous job simulation in a 50-lb SCBA simulator; practice sessions offered src
Hiring process
- Apply online
- Written test
- Panel interview
- Background and criminal history investigation
- FPAT practice sessions
- FPAT
- Pre-employment physical
- Uniform fitting
- Recruit school (up to 26 weeks)
Source: official page
Starting pay
Starting $60,147/yr, plus an ALS supplement for Intermediate ($5,800+) or Paramedic ($8,700+) src
Academy
Paid recruit school, Mon-Fri 8-5, up to 26 weeks src
Checked 2026-11-05 against the department's official pages (linked). Hiring windows open and close quickly; always confirm on the official site before you apply. See every academy, EMT program and test site in Virginia.