AFD 103rd Academy Hiring Process
- Applications Open: 7/27/2026
- Applications Close: 9/18/2026
- Tentative Academy Start: 1/4/2027
Key Dates
- Applicant Physical Ability Testing (APAT) – Testing Sessions:
Week of September 28th (Specific dates to be communicated)
Week of October 5th (Specific dates to be communicated)
Written Testing:
Scheduled test dates (Virtual)
Week of October 5th
Structured Interviews:
October 19th – October 23rd
NFPA Physical:
November 2nd (alt November 3rd)
Click HERE for more information.
Asheville Fire now operates on a 4-shift model, and our operations schedule after Academy graduation is a 52.6-hour work week.
Academy Pipelines
- Certified Firefighter/NC EMT or NREMT/ Technical Rescuer certification: 12 weeks
- Certified Firefighter/NC EMT or NREMT: 18 weeks
- Certified NC EMT / or NREMT: 18 weeks
- No Experience or FF Only: 25 weeks
**All new hires will be required to complete AFD’s Fire Academy regardless of prior experience or certifications.
Basic Employment Requirements
- High School Diploma or GED
- 18 years or older Valid Drivers License
- Excellent physical condition
- Successful completion of all testing components
- Successful completion of a thorough background check
- Successful completion of drug and alcohol screening
Benefits
- Starting Salary $44,276.18 during the academy
- Upon graduation from the academy annual salary is $50,309.74
- AEMT 5% Supplement
- Advanced FF 5% Supplement
- Flex Plan
- Annual Leave – 12 days per year
- Credit Union
- Deferred Compensation Plan
- 401 (k) Contribution
- Dependent Life Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Direct Deposit
- Employee Assistance Program
- Life Insurance
- Health Insurance
- Long Term Disability
- Medical and Dependent Care
- On-Site Medical Office
- Training Opportunities
- Sick Leave – 12 days per year
- Sick Leave Sharing Bank
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Holiday Leave – 11 days per year
- Bereavement Leave
- Military Leave
For more information related to our hiring process, please contact the City of Asheville’s human resources department at (828) 259-5690
For more information related to the details of becoming an Asheville Firefighter please contact our training division (828) 259-5636 or email AFDHire.
To be notified when the job posting opens, fill out a Job Interest Card.
Observer Program
The Observer Program permits interested persons to observe the Asheville Fire Department operations by riding with command officers or fire companies. Those who request to ride AFD apparatus must have legitimate reasons or valid connections with other departments. Observers will only be scheduled to ride after the command staff approval.