Volunteer firefighters are often needed at several of CCFD’s 10 fire stations which are located throughout Campbell County’s 5,000-square-mile service area including stations in Gillette, Rozet, and Wright. Chances are good that one of our stations is located reasonably close to your home.

The Volunteer Recruitment Process consists of the following:

• Complete and submit an application packet
• Criminal and Driving Background Checks
• Oral interview
• Drug Screening
• Pre-work Physical Agility Testing
• Medical Physical Exam

The Campbell County Fire Department is not currently hiring career staff. However, notice will be posted on this page whenever testing for one or more career positions is anticipated.

The fire department conducts periodic recruiting campaigns for additional volunteer firefighters. These campaigns generally start in July with an open application period extending into late-September. New volunteer firefighters attend CCFD’s weekly Recruit Academy classes that run from January through May each year.

When career positions become available, they are filled by first contacting applicants who have been placed on CCFD’s Eligibility Lists for each of the various job descriptions (i.e. Firefighter, Captain, etc.). Applicants undergo a testing process consisting of the following:

• Written Test
• Physical Agility Test
• Oral Interview
• Psychiatric Evaluation
• Medical Physical Exam
• Criminal and Driving Background Checks
• Drug Screening

Physical Agility Test

The Physical Agility Test is based on parts of the Firefighter Combat Challenge course. It consists of five common fire ground evolutions that replicate the physically demanding nature of firefighting. The evolutions are performed consecutively without resting and while wearing a helmet, firefighting coat, gloves, and a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). This series must be completed in less than 5:00 minutes and consist of the following:

High-rise Pack Carry: This task requires that the applicant carry a high-rise pack (100-feet of 1 ¾-inch fire hose) up to the fifth floor landing. This task requires leg strength and endurance.

Hose Hoist: A rolled 50-foot section of 1 ¾-inch fire hose is hoisted to a top landing using a 5/8-inch utility rope line. This task requires upper body strength and lower back flexibility.

Forcible Entry: A forcible entry simulator is used. A steel weight is driven five feet using a nine-pound shot hammer. Upper body strength and endurance are important factors.

Hose Advance: A 100-foot section of charged 1 ¾-inch fire hose is advanced. Leg strength is required in this evolution.

Victim Rescue: A 165-pound manikin must be held and moved 100-feet. This task requires good total body strength, flexibility, and endurance. Good grip strength is needed to grasp the manikin, and leg strength is needed to lift and drag the simulated victim.

Preparing for the Physical Agility Test

Recommended Exercises: Top physical conditioning is needed to pass this test. Your physical training program should include cardio-respiratory fitness, muscular strength, and muscular endurance. Individuals can generally improve their level of fitness by undertaking an intensive training program that includes running and lifting weights.

The following list outlines training techniques that may help you prepare for the Physical Agility Test. There is, however, no guarantee that you will successfully complete the test, and these are not the only methods of preparing for the test. You should be in good health and it is strongly recommended that your consult your physician before undertaking any physical training program.

Training for the High-rise Pack Carry

• Run stair sprints in sets
• Run up and down bleachers
• Sprint on flat ground
• Run 20- to 40-minutes per week to improve aerobic conditioning

Training for Hose Hoist

• Exercise with “reach-and-pull” techniques
• Exercise emphasizing grip and back strength

Training for Forcible Entry

• Drive a 150-pount railroad tie with a sledge or shot hammer
• Drive a Keiser Sled with a goal of moving it five feet in fewer than twenty swings

Training for the Hose Advance

• Push a car on level pavement in a parking lot with someone steering the car
• Climb stairs or run bleachers

Training for Dummy Drag

• Use tips previously outlined to increase aerobic capacity