Klamath County Fire District 1 is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that a variety of backgrounds and experiences best serve our purpose – to protect and serve the residents, businesses, and visitors of Klamath County. To apply, please visit: https://www.kcfd1.com/careers.
Qualifications – please note that these requirements are subject to change.
Evaluation Components
Spark Hire Panel Interviews
Panel Interview
Chief’s Interview
Conditional Job Offer
Post-Testing Clearance
Benefits
*Subject to IAFF Local 890 Contract
Preparation for Recruit Academy
Preparation for Recruit Academy Firefighting is a physically demanding profession. Research shows that it requires a high level of cardiopulmonary endurance, muscular strength and muscular endurance. The following information was developed to assist you with physically preparing to become a firefighter with Klamath County Fire District 1.
Preparation for the Career Recruit Academy
*There is no CPAT or written testing for the apprentice firefighter position
The Klamath County Fire District 1 apprenticeship program is a two-year program from the first day of the fire academy, September 25, 2023.
Apprentices will attend a minimum 12-week fire academy and then assigned to a Field Training Coach (FTC). The 12-week academy is Monday-Friday, 0800-1700. The academy may be longer at the discretion of the training division. The academy start date is September 25, 2023 and is scheduled to be completed by the second week of December. The fire academy is physically demanding and includes firefighter and EMS training, both hands-on and written testing and physical fitness throughout the program.
After the 12-week fire academy, apprentices will be assigned to a FTC It is the intent for an apprentice to spend most of his/her time with their assigned FTC to ensure they are receiving structured on-the-job training (OJT). The schedule is 48-hour shifts and 96-hours off shift. The apprentices will work approximately 120 days a year minus any time for accrued leave usage as allowed per the Local 890 collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
This is highly discouraged. The firefighter academy is a 12-week program that is physically and mentally demanding and is scheduled Monday-Friday, 0800-1700. Apprentices are required to attend all days of the academy and meet all benchmarks to successfully complete the academy.
To obtain Journey Level Firefighter status you must complete the two-year program which includes 4,000 hours of OJT and academic classes required for the program. There is no two-year commitment contract, if you complete the two-year program, you will receive a Journey Level Firefighter card from the Bureau of Labor and Industry and the Oregon State Fire Fighter Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (OSFFJATC). This will be beneficial when seeking employment after the program is complete.
Yes, there is a one-year probationary period. The one-year probationary period begins on the first day of hire and includes a daily and monthly observation reports to ensure apprentices are meeting all fire district standards as built out by the training and operations divisions. Klamath County Fire District 1 is committed to creating a constructive learning environment for all employees for a successful probationary year.
After the 12-week fire academy, the academic requirements include Math 60, Writing 121, Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations, ICS 100, 200, 700 (online), Introduction to Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Technical Report Writing, EMT Part 1 and II, and building construction for Fire Fighters.
If you have completed some or all the required courses, you will receive credit towards your academic requirement after official transcripts have been verified.
Due to the proximity of the fire district to Klamath Community College (KCC) this would be the natural choice and currently Klamath County Fire District 1 has a signed agreement through KCC as the related training agent.
There are no costs to the apprentice for the required academic classes, books, or fees. Apprentices are paid while attending classes on days they are on shift duty. Apprentices will not be paid to attend classes while off duty. For example, if an apprentice is on duty on Tuesday this week and they have EMT class from 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. they will leave shift to attend and return after class is over. The apprentice is paid while attending this required class. If the apprentice is off duty, they will not be paid for attending class. The apprentice is responsible for transportation and any other costs outside of classes, books, or fees.
If an apprentice does not meet all the required OJT and/or the academic requirements, they do not receive their Journey Level firefighter status. It is the apprentice’s responsibility to complete the academic requirements during the two-year apprenticeship. Klamath County Fire District 1 will provide training, on-the-job experience opportunities, and will support the apprentice through the academic requirements.
Apprentices will be equipped with all gear, uniform, and equipment needed to fulfil their responsibility as a firefighter. This includes and is not limited to, turnout gear, wildland gear, uniform items, footwear, helmets, flashlights, and other miscellaneous gear. Apprentices will be responsible to pay Union dues as a Local 890 member, these are also approx. $104 a month. This deduction will be made through automatic payroll withdraws. Other payroll taxes, PERS and flexible spending and supplemental insurances optional deductions are also automatically withdrawn from apprentices’ paychecks during the two payroll periods per month (24 payroll cycles annually).
For the most part, yes. Apprentice firefighters will work with a Journey Level Firefighter FTC or member of their crew most of the time. There are rare times where the apprentice may work independently with supervision from the crew and FTC. At no time will apprentices be put in “Immediate Danger to Life or Health” (IDLH) situation without another crew member or firefighter. Apprentice firefighters will not be allowed to drive fire apparatus or go to the hospital as a rider on an ambulance by themselves. Apprentices will not be assigned to an ambulance or specialty unit (truck, heavy rescue, water rescue) but may be trained on these specialized apparatus to better understand these positions and roles within the fire service.
Yes, if volunteers are pursuing a career in the fire service. This program is to augment a fire department’s effective fire fighting force while providing on the job training and certifications that make apprentices attractive for future employment. It also gives those who previously never considered a career in the fire service, such as women, people of color and veterans, a chance to explore a career in the fire service.
No, this program is to augment or improve career or combination fire departments or fire districts’ response to emergencies.
Yes, apprentice’s wages are based on the Local 890 CBA. The apprentices are paid 73% of year 1 step and 80% for year 2 step based on the CBA step progression. The salary range is $4,221.43-$4,637.95 per month.
The apprentices are provided a Union orientation and provided an opportunity to join IAFF Local 890, the representing labor Union of Klamath County Fire District 1 Firefighters. When apprentices join Local 890, they will pay Union dues for their membership.
The apprentice will receive the same benefit package as all other Klamath County Fire District 1 career firefighters. This includes but is not limited to, deferred compensation, Health Insurance including dental and vision, VEBA, PERS compensable wages, supplemental health care options, vacation accrual, sick time accrual, bereavement leave benefits, access to fitness equipment at each fire station while on duty, Wellness Program, and more.
Apprentices will sleep in the fire station while on shift. All Klamath County Fire District 1 fire stations have private dorms. Apprentice firefighters will live at the station while on shift but will go home when shift is over.
Local employers, Federal and State Grant possibilities are being explored, such as SAFER Grants, FEMA Wildfire Mitigation Grants, along with administrative grants from the state of Oregon. The apprenticeship program is not meant to be instead of full-time firefighters but in addition to. The structure and adherence to the program is at the employer level with their IAFF Locals and the Oregon State Fire Fighter Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (FFJATC).
No, there is no guarantee of a job offer. It is a goal and a benefit to Klamath County Fire District 1 to retain apprentices during the program or after the apprentices have received their JLFF status. Due to Klamath County Fire District 1’s public funding revenue structure and variability of the funding each year, it is challenging to forecast job availability for the apprentice program.
Yes, apprentices are allowed and encouraged to test for Klamath County Fire District 1 and any other organization if they meet the minimum qualifications for those positions while in the apprentice program. It is the goal of the program to develop apprentices to be successful JLFF both inside Klamath County Fire District 1 and for other agencies. Apprentices DO need to complete the JLFF program to receive their JLFF card but can pursue career opportunities prior to obtaining JLFF card. Not completing the apprentice program prior to testing has NO effect on the hiring status of apprentices into a full-time career position.
The Oregon State Firefighter Apprenticeship is a registered apprenticeship program through the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industry (BOLI) and the OSFFJATC.
All employees must either receive their Covid series vaccinations to be a part of the apprentice program or provide a religious or medical exemption. Note: KCC may require Covid or other vaccinations to attend their EMT program.
The Oregon Health Authority requires all students enrolled in Health Science programs that will be participating in clinical(s) with patient contact have the following:
Immunizations
Screenings
*While many healthcare agencies and facilities offer some exceptions for employees, they do not offer exceptions for students due to liability.
Go to: https://www.oregonfireapprenticeship.org/ to see what other apprentice sites are available.
The application process will close on July 7, 2023, it is unknown at this time if Klamath County Fire District 1 will host a second apprentice firefighter process but check back often for further information. To apply, go to: https://www.kcfd1.com/careers.
For more information, please email: bknutson@kcfd1.com Klamath County Fire District 1 Apprentice Program Coordinator.
Klamath County Fire District 1
143 North Broad Street, Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601, United States
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