Firefighter Position

Cowlitz County Fire District 5 - Lateral Firefighter/Paramedic

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The information herein is provided by the respective agency and is only as accurate and as up-to-date as the agency representative(s) update this information. PST is not responsible for the veracity of this data as it is provided directly from the agency. It is ultimately the applicant's responsibility to verify any information about the agency with the agency.

Cowlitz County Fire District 5 - Lateral Firefighter/Paramedic

Last updated on October 16, 2024
PST Partner Agency since September 27, 2021

Important Information

Sign up with Public Safety Testing for Cowlitz County Fire District 5 entry level Firefighter/Paramedic or lateral Firefighter/Paramedic by 2300 hours on Tuesday, April 18. Candidates who meet our qualifications to be considered a lateral Firefighter/Paramedic do not need a written test or a CPAT. Oral board interviews and Paramedic practical tests for the top candidates will be on Monday, May 1, and Tuesday, May 2. An interview with the Fire Chief will be on Monday, May 8. A conditional job offer will be made on Wednesday, May 10.

Community Information

Cowlitz County Fire District 5 provides fire protection and EMS to the City of Kalama and the surrounding unincorporated areas. Kalama was unofficially incorporated in 1871 and it was a rail hub for the Northern Pacific Railway. Now Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway operate the busy sets of railway tracks that run through the Fire District. Interstate 5 also runs through the Fire District and exits 27, 30, and 32 are all access points into the District. There is an industrial area to the West of Interstate 5 along the Columbia River and a business district on the East side of Interstate 5. Residential areas are in the business district, up the hill to the east, and on the cliffs above town, portions of which have dramatic views overlooking the Columbia River. The population within the Fire District continues to grow with new developments in the Port of Kalama including a market place adjacent to the new dock for river boat cruise ships. Other projects under construction include a large multi-family housing development just East of Interstate 5 overlooking the Columbia River and other single family housing developments. The new developments promote exciting new activities and a growing need for the services provided by Cowlitz County Fire District 5. All of this in a rural community only 30 minutes North of Portland, Oregon.

Department Information

Cowlitz County Fire District 5 is a full-service emergency service provider. The District is protected by two structural engines, two wildland engines, two ALS ambulances, two water tenders, one medium rescue, and a utility truck. Fire services are delivered from two fire stations. Station 51 located in downtown Kalama is staffed with a minimum of two career line staff, with at least one Paramedic. The second Station 52 is located on the Southern end of the District. There is a third fire station which is leased to the Department of Natural Resources. In addition, the District has mutual and automatic aid agreements with neighboring jurisdictions in Kelso, Woodland, and Longview. 

The Fire District currently staffs one Advanced Life Support ambulance with additional staffing through its volunteer members who are on call 24/7. In 2022, the District responded to 964 incidents with the majority of those calls being EMS related. The Fire District transports ALS and BLS patients. The District provides fire prevention and education, fire suppression and protection, emergency medical services, and is a member of the Maritime Fire & Safety Association. With a large wildland urban interface area, a busy port, residential and commercial expansion the Fire District is preparing for future growth. 

Cowlitz County Fire District 5 is not a Civil Service organization.

Area Information

County: Cowlitz
Population: 7,650
# of Staff: 4 Administrative, 6 Career Line Staff, 20 Volunteers

Hiring Status

There will be an opening for a Firefighter/Paramedic with a June 1, 2023, start date.

Salary Information

Lateral entry Firefighter/Paramedic will range from $71,304 to $89,196 annually depending upon qualifications/years of experience. There is educational incentive pay for an Associates and Bachelors Degree in Fire Science and a 3% increase for residency in the District.

Benefit Information

Health care including medical, dental, and vision is provided by the Fire District and Firefighters participate in a post employment medical program (VEBA). The Fire District provides matching funds toward a deferred compensation program. Additionally, there are disability and death benefits via VFIS and educational incentives.

Cowlitz County Fire District 5 - Lateral Firefighter/Paramedic Requirements

Category Requirement Required at time of...
    Test Hire
Written Examination No, not required

For candidates who meet our requirements to be considered a lateral Firefighter/Paramedic, there is no written exam or CPAT requirement.
Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) No, not required (may be required later)
Minimum Age 21
Citizenship US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident
High School Grad/ GED Yes
Driver's License Required Valid Washington State Driver's License
Felony Conviction(s) as an Adult Will be carefully reviewed on a case by case basis.
Felony Conviction(s) as a Juvenile Will be carefully reviewed on a case by case basis
Ability to Read, Speak & Write the English Language Yes
Vision Requirements Must meet LEOFF II standards.
College Requirement No
Prior Experience Requirement Yes
Veterans Preference Points Yes
Firefighter 1 Certification

IFSAC Firefighter I or equivalent (DOQ)
Firefighter 2 Certification No
Paramedic Certification Washington State Certified Paramedic at time of hire.
Prior FF Experience Required Yes
Prior EMT Experience Required Yes
Body Decorations Carefully reviewed on a case by case basis.
CPAT

 CPAT requirement could be waived based on experience.
Multiple Scores from Same Applicant We consider the highest score received within the past one year
Request/Access Scores On an as-needed basis as vacancies occur

Cowlitz County Fire District 5 - Lateral Firefighter/Paramedic Disqualifiers

The following are automatic and potential disqualifiers. Applicants should not apply to our agency if they indicate any of the automatic disqualifiers. Potential disqualifiers will be considered on a case by case basis.

Category Disqualifier
Driving
Potential Suspension of driver's license within past 5 years.
Potential 1 or more traffic crime convictions in last 5 years (DWI, Suspended, Reckless, etc.).
Potential 2 or more moving violations in past 5 years.
Potential 2 or more at-fault accidents in past 5 years.
Drug Usage
Potential Other drug use outside these standards will be considered on case by case basis.
Automatic No illegal sale of ANY drug, including marijuana.
Criminal Activity
Potential Adult misdemeanor convictions will be carefully reviewed.
Potential Juvenile felony conviction will be carefully reviewed.
Automatic Been convicted of any crime under a domestic violence statue.
Automatic Unlawful sexual misconduct.
Employment
Automatic 3 or more terminations, or leaving employer in lieu of termination.
Financial
Automatic Failure to pay income tax or child support.
Potential Current credit accounts, or unresolved accounts in collection will be carefully reviewed.

Contact Information

Cowlitz County Fire District 5 - Lateral Firefighter/Paramedic

P.O. Box 280
382 NE Frontage Road
Kalama, WA 98625 Cowlitz County
1-360-673-2222

Website

Agency Test Requirements
Written Examination: No, not required
CPAT: No, not required (may be required later)


Other Cowlitz County Fire District 5 positions

Entry Level Firefighter/Paramedic
Entry Level Firefighter/EMT
Lateral Firefighter/EMT