NOFD

North Olympia Fire and Rescue


District Seven


Becoming a Volunteer Firefighter

Firefighter Steps

Click here to download the Volunteer Application

Click here to download this document in PDF format

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Volunteer Firefighter with the North Olympia Fire Department. The following is the step by step outline on the application process.

Minimum Qualifications:

Important Dates:

New Member Application Procedures:

  1. Return or mail your completed:
    1. Member Application
    2. Authorization for Release of Information
    3. Current five year driving abstract
      (available from the Dept. of Licensing)
    4. Copy of your unexpired drivers’ license
  2. Successfully complete:
    1. Written exam
    2. Physical ability test
  3. New Member Interview
  4. Successfully complete:
    1. Medical exam
    2. Drug screen
  5. New Member Orientation meeting
  6. Register for the Thurston County Fire Recruit Academy


Thurston County Fire Recruit Academy

The Thurston County Training Consortium Firefighter One course runs two times a year for three months at a time. Firefighter academy course schedules are extremely tight, encompassing a great deal of information in a relatively short period of time, and requiring students to dedicate themselves and their time to this intense curriculum. Therefore, attendance is critical and mandatory for successful completion.

Training to become a fire fighter is challenging. The art and science of extinguishing fires is much more complex than most people imagine. You will be challenged, both physically and mentally. You must keep your body in excellent condition so you can complete your assignments; you must also remain mentally alert to cope with the various conditions you will encounter. Fire fighter training will expand your understanding of fire behavior and suppression.

By the time you complete the fire fighter one course, you will be will equipped to continue a centuries-old tradition of preserving lives and property threatened by fires. You will have an understanding of many duties and responsibilities of the fire service, and you should have a feeling of personal satisfaction about your accomplishment.

The first step in understanding the organization of the fire service is to learn your roles and responsibilities as a Fire Fighter One. As you progress through the initial training, you will learn what to do and how to do it so that you can take your place confidently among the ranks.


Roles and Responsibilities for the Fire Fighter One


  • Don (put on) and doff (take off) personal protective
    equipment (PPE) properly
  • Hoist hand tools using appropriate ropes and knots
  • Understand and correctly apply appropriate
    communication protocols
  • Use self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
  • Respond on apparatus to an emergency scene
  • Force entry into a structure
  • Exit a hazardous area safely as a team
  • Set up ground ladders safely as a team
  • Attack a passenger vehicle fire, and exterior
    Class A fire, and an interior structure fire
  • Conduct search and rescue in a structure
  • Perform ventilation of an involved structure
  • Overhaul a fire scene
  • Conserve property with salvage tools and equipment
  • Connect a fire department engine to a water supply
  • Extinguish incipient Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D fires
  • Illuminate an emergency scene
  • Turn off utilities
  • Perform fire safety surveys
  • Clean and maintain equipment

For full details on the fire training academy refer to: Thurston County Firefighter Academy

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