2025 Prior Experience Firefighter (ARC)

Salary: FF Tier 1 Base Salary $58,677 during academy (6 weeks accelerated). 

Upon graduation from Academy: FF Tier 1 compensation base up to $65,947.16 (with regular shift schedule) 

Incentives (Available Upon Graduation) 

• Paramedic Certified = $1,800 | Certified Paramedic Deployed = $4,100 
• Associates Degree = $1,800 | Bachelors Degree = $4,000 
• Bilingual capabilities = $1,200 

Bonus 

• Military Bonus = $5,000 

*Veterans who received an honorable or General Discharge* 

Benefits

• Employer Sponsored Health Insurance Plans 
• Employer Sponsored Dental and Vision Plans 
• Group Supplemental Benefits (Accident, Critical Care, Short Term Disability, Cancer) 
• Retirement savings plans (hybrid pension, 401(A) defined contribution) 
• FSA/HSA account options 
• Education Reimbursement for Higher Education (After 2 years of continuous employment) 

Training 

Upon hire, Georgia certified Prior Experience Firefighter Recruits will be required to complete an accelerated, certified firefighter 6 training program at the Atlanta Fire Rescue Training Academy.  For Prior Experience Firefighter Recruits with IFSAC, NPQ/ProBoard and DoD certification, completion of the training program is contingent upon successfully challenging the Georgia State Firefighter 1 test. 

Following graduation from the Atlanta Fire Rescue Training Academy, newly sworn Prior Experience firefighters will be assigned to an Atlanta Fire Station as a firefighter on “probationary” status for 6 months. 

General Job Description and Classification 

The purpose of this position is to assist and support to the citizens of Atlanta with a variety of emergency and non-emergency needs including but not limited to, emergency medical services, fire suppression, hazmat incidents, motor vehicle and roadway incidents, technical rescue, apparatus operations, public safety education, and overall community leadership.

Supervision Received 

Working under the supervision of a Fire Office, the Prior Experience candidate is required to possess experience and aptitude in performing technical skills and to follow standard instructions to accomplish tasks typically assigned to firefighter position as detailed below.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive.  May perform other duties as assigned. 

Performs duties in accordance with the City of Atlanta’s Fire and Rescue standard operating procedures.

• Identifies ancillary health hazards, precautions, informs affected individuals and implements appropriate medical protocols. 
• Evaluates scene upon arrival; identifies dangerous building conditions and electrical emergencies and applies appropriate procedures. 
• Implements emergency techniques when trapped or disoriented. 
• Identifies hazardous materials. 
• Operates emergency vehicles in a safe and efficient manner while responding to radio dispatch and/or telephone requests for assistance. 
• Assesses and manages incidents; determines number of individuals in need of assistance; sets up medical area and assesses nature of injuries and medical problems. 
• Provides emergency medical care as Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians which includes basic trauma life support and pediatric life support; provides rehydration and first aid support during fire ground activities. 
• Maintains and wears protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus, as designed. 
• Assists in fire suppression activities including ventilation, forced entry, salvage and overhaul; performs various firefighting duties; assists in hazardous materials operations and technical rescue operations. 
• Attend meetings, seminars and training as required to remain knowledgeable of departmental operations to promote improved job performance.
• Ability to use independent judgment and discretion in performing duties including handling of emergency situations, determining and deciding upon procedures to be implemented, setting priorities, maintaining standards, and resolving problems. 
• Responds to orders and requests as directed by supervisor. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities This is a partial listing of necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully. It is not an exhaustive list. 

• Ability to perform work requiring good physical condition. 
• Ability to successfully learn the operation of tools and equipment. 
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information. 
• Ability to learn to apply standard firefighting emergency aid, hazardous materials, and fire prevention techniques. 
• Ability to perform strenuous or peak physical effort during emergency, training, or station maintenance activities for prolonged periods of time under conditions of extreme heights, intense heat, cold or smoke. 
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. 
• Ability to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear, and effective manner. 
• Ability to read, understand and interpret fire and emergency reports and related materials. 
• Ability to successfully complete an intensive training program including but not limited to the principles and methodologies of firefighting, emergency medical services and rescue.