Firefighter Knowledge

How To Become A Firefighter In Oregon

By Josiah Raiford 10 min read Updated Mar 8, 2026
how to become a firefighter in oregon

The state of Oregon has many great fire departments, in fact, my brother in law works for Salem Fire Department! How to become a firefighter in Oregon is a question I hear from many applicants in the Pacific Northwest.

How To Become A
Firefighter In Oregon

The state of Oregon is one that has something for everyone
when it comes to the landscape and the cities. It isn’t surprising that so many
residents and business want to set themselves up in the major cities along the western
coast.

But, they can only do so if they know there is a strong,
skilled fire department ready to handle any emergencies.

Oregon is one of the leading states for salaries in
metropolitan areas and has some great training facilities. In this article, I want
to discuss how you can become a firefighter in Oregon.

At their core, the basic state requirements are as you might
expect.

However, there are some quirks in different departments and
some recommendations to keep in mind as stations with career positions want to
find the very best in the state.

Below I will talk more about what you can do to stand out,
where to continue your training and a little about the major fire departments
in Oregon.

Becoming a firefighter in the state of Oregon.

While most departments are similar, there is an interesting
approach to the requirements and guidance issued by the Medford Fire Department
in Oregon.

Here they offer advice to aspiring firefighters that goes far beyond what to expect on any written test or firefighter interview.

They recommend that you showcase your passion from high-school, with related projects and fitness plans to highlight your experience and drive. It isn’t always enough to have a diploma or GED without the projects to back that up.

They also recommend taking on a role in a volunteer department at 18 to gain professional experience. From there, you can earn all the right accreditation and certification such as EMT certifications and your Firefighter 1 and 2 training.

Usually, this means a passing score on the CPAT and a written test to determine the candidates general aptitude.

Those that pass move on to other screening processes and
interviews. The order of the tests and the specific requirements can alter
between departments.

Expect to be subjected to a drug screening and background checks for criminal activity. Some departments may also choose to add a psychological exam to the process as well.

Firefighters in Oregon need to be able to handle emergencies in many different disciplines and environments.

One of the best traits about Oregon is the is the natural
beauty. There is the vast coastline on the Western boundary, vast forests
running down to California, the high desert to the east and mountains throughout
the state.

Each area poses its own risks with chemical incidents,
industrial fire, wildfires and major accidents.

Then there are all the homes and businesses in the major cities and suburbs. This means that Oregon firefighters need the skills to match the unique landscape of their department’s location.

The Oregon Department of Forestry is an important resource
for firefighters that want to understand wildfire and how to control it.

The ODF offers regular statistics on all the wildfires that
spread within the state.

That means that there are 16 million acres of both public
and private land to protect. Skilled firefighters need to control these wildfires
as soon as possible, steer them away from people and property and regain
control.

Oregon firefighter applicants that learn these skills can show that they have more knowledge and a better understanding of local issues than most other firefighting candidates.

Fire Academies In Oregon

The following is a list of fire academies and fire science
programs in Oregon. 

The basic firefighter 1 course is a must to make a start beyond being a volunteer firefighter. But, there are lots of other courses out there that are useful for your career.

A firefighter 2 certification is the next step up for
advanced learning to become a firefighter in Oregon.

Certifications in hazardous materials as well as specific
apparatus and Wildland operations are also important skills to learn.

The more you know, the better an asset you are to any
department.

Another suggestion from fire departments is for new recruits to look into gaining a degree in Fire Science.

There are many college courses and community college programs in the state of Oregon that can offer higher education and training is an essential part of the process when learning how to become a firefighter in Oregon.

Some departments will recommend specific schools and
programs which are applicable to their needs. One that appears to have a good
reputation with fire officers is the Chemeketa Community College in Salem.

One of the appealing things about this course is the
combination of practical and theoretical work.

There are many hours spent in classrooms and dealing with
lab work. But, there are also 24-hour shifts with the Chemeketa on-campus fire
department.

This is the ideal place to learn as it provides a more hands
on introduction to the real work involved.

This crew is a back-up crew that can assist on emergency
calls. There will be supervision while obtaining the first-hand experience of
fires and accidents.

There is also the opportunity to coordinate this degree with
another course for a wider skill set.

You can link it up with the EMT-B or the Paramedic course to
earn both degrees within three years.

This sets you up to stand out from the other candidates at a
faster pace and shows your willingness to learn. The course offers many of the
same modules as you would expect in a firefighter I course.

There is information on the equipment, safety procedures,
materials and operational strategies. Upon completing the course, recruits can
continue with fire departments or enroll in further education for advanced
skills.

Major Fire Departments In Oregon

There are several large departments that employ many
firefighters in the state.  While this
isn’t necessarily a comprehensive list of all major fire departments the
requirements to work at these departments will be the same or similar to any
department in Oregon.

How to Become A Medford,
OR Firefighter:

Medford is home to around 90,000 people and requires plenty
of crew members located across the area.

There are five stations in total and 85 personnel. This
includes fire marshals, EMTs and other support staff.

Recruits here need to be ready for major emergencies and
difficult situations and are highly trained.

The department handles many calls for structural fires,
vehicle accidents and medical incidents. So EMT training and strategic training
are essential. There are also cases with hazardous materials.

The department prides itself on its quick response time and
professionalism.

https://www.ci.medford.or.us/SectionIndex.asp?SectionID=5

https://www.ci.medford.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=1292

How To Become A Portland
Firefighter:

Portland is the largest department in Oregon with 750
employees and 30 stations across the city and wider area.

These stations house a vast range of apparatus and skill
sets, including those that can handle Chemical and Nuclear issues.

Therefore, applicants need to come to this department with enough prior training and the willingness to take on additional courses in these specialty areas.

https://www.portlandoregon.gov/fire/

How To Become A Salem,
OR Firefighter:

The Salem fire department serves the state capitol with the
same level of dedication but fewer resources than a city like Portland.

There are 11 stations across the city which house engines,
aerial ladders and more.

There is a strong link between the Salem department and EMS
services, with the department offering patient transport ambulances as needed.

This means that Salem firefighters need to have the best
qualifications for this type of care. Applicants are recommended to keep up
with their CPR and EMT training.

There is also a division that helps with providing SWAT
medics to the police.

https://www.cityofsalem.net/salem-fire-department

Job Prospects for
Firefighters In Oregon

The City of Medford site does warn potential applicants that
there are 400-500 applications per hiring period.

This explains why they are so adamant that qualified
firefighters start their preparation so early.

Anyone seeking how to become a firefighter in Oregon or the
Pacific Northwest in general can expect to enjoy a slightly higher wage in
metropolitan areas.

Looking at the highest payment rates by metropolitan area,
Washington was the second highest after California.

The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area saw an annual mean wage of
$83,550 and mean hourly of $40.17.

Close behind was the
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro area that covers Washington and Oregon. Here
firefighters can see $81,760 annually and $39.31 hourly.

https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes332011.htm#st

As you can see, the hiring process in Oregon is very
competitive and you will need to prove yourself and meet all the right criteria
to get hired.

There does seem to be a little bit of bias towards those
that have experience from a very young age, such as cadets and high-school
students.

But, there is no reason why older, dedicated applicants can’t succeed at one of the many fire academies in the state.

Once you get the right qualifications, you can then enjoy a
long career as a firefighter in Oregon.

How Much Do Firefighters Make in Oregon?

Curious about firefighter pay in Oregon? We’ve put together a detailed salary guide with data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Check out our complete breakdown: Firefighter Salary in Oregon.

Free Firefighter Career Tools

Check out our free career tools to help you get hired:

Before you start your journey, take our free Firefighter Eligibility Checker to see if you meet the basic requirements.

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