Everyone applicant joins the department as a probationary firefighter. This phase of their training lasts at least 12 months, during which a new firefighter is required to complete Wake County Firefighter Essentials school, Hazardous Materials Operations Plus certification, ICS 100, 200, 700, & 800, and Bloodbourne Pathogens, as well as familiarize themselves with all of our equipment and complete all the internal requirements listed in the probationary packet. Probationary firefighters are also encouraged to completing their EMT training, which is a requirement to be on the department. Firefighters are also encouraged to begin the classes to earn their NC Firefighter II certification.
Once off probation, every active firefighter must meet annual HazMat, EMT, BBP, EVD, PPE, & MSDS re-certification requirements, as well as a minimum of 36 training hours per year. They should also complete their EMT training, which is required to have been completed before their 18th month on the department. Firefighters should continue to be working on completing their Firefighter II certification.
A firefighter can be promoted to Senior Firefighter once they have been with the department for 3 years, and have begun the apparatus drive training process.