The Firefighter Trainee Applicant Hiring Schedule
Applications are now open. Click here to apply!
(Closes March 21, 2025)
The Asheville Fire Department’s hiring process contains the following:
- APAT Test (Video)
- Written Comprehensive Exam
- Chief Interviews
- AFD Fire Academy
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.
Process Step |
Date |
|
Information Session |
March 14, 2025 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. |
|
A communication with more details and practice session dates will be sent to applicants. No appointment is necessary. |
March |
APAT Testing Sessions (Specific dates to be communicated) |
Week of March 31, 2025 Week of April 8, 2025 |
Written Comprehensive Exam (Scheduled test dates – Virtual) |
Week of April 14, 2025 |
Structured Interviews |
April 28 – May 5, 2025 |
NFPA Physicals (Candidates must meet NFPA 1582 standard to be hired) |
May 20, 2025 |
Start date |
July 7, 2025 |
Applications close at 5:00 p.m. on March 21, 2025
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.