Eastside Fire & Rescue Hiring Entry-Level Firefighters

Eastside Fire & Rescue operates as a large regional fire authority, a contrast to a single-municipality department. Formed in 1999 by consolidating smaller agencies, it now serves over 228,000 residents across a 277-square-mile area that includes Sammamish, North Bend, and, through recent contracts, Woodinville and Mercer Island. The hiring process utilizes the National Testing Network's (NTN) FireTEAM exam, the same cognitive test often used by departments in the region. To be considered for an interview, applicants need a weighted score of at least 80%, with no individual section of the test falling below a 70% threshold. A valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certificate is required before the leadership interview stage of the process. The department accepts CPAT results from any accredited agency, including both NTN and Public Safety Testing, which offer the test locally. The timeline for this hiring cycle moves quickly after the application deadline. The department will begin sending interview invitations by March 12, 2026, with the first round of screening interviews scheduled to take place from March 23 to March 27, 2026. The department staffs 16 fire stations and responds to approximately 18,000 calls for service annually. Its firefighters are represented by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 1762. Beyond the starting salary, compensation includes enrollment in the LEOFF 2 retirement system and a benefits package where 100% of the premiums for medical, dental, and vision are paid by the agency for both employees and their dependents.