Reserve Program

The Pullman Fire Department's Reserve Program is an integral part of the department's ability to provide service to the City of Pullman residents. Pullman Reserve Firefighters respond to emergency incidents, provide support to the Fire Prevention Bureau through staffing at fire safety events, and support departmental staffing needs on department apparatus, WSU football games, and regional events such as the Fourth of July celebration and the National Lentil Festival.

Reserve Firefighter candidates are required to complete the departments fire academy where they are certified to IFSAC Firefighter 1, Hazardous Materials Awareness, Hazardous Materials Operations, NWCG Firefighter 2, and Washington State EMT Basic.

Applications are accepted year-around.

We WILL be conducting Recruit 24-01 starting in the Spring 2024.
Practice physical agility tests will be held on the following date(s):

  • October 28, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (completed)
Physical agility location is the Pullman Fire Department Training Center located at 1150 NE Hickman Court.

  • General knowledge written examination will be held on Saturday, December 2nd at Pullman Recreation Center located at 190 SE Crestview Street, building B, Room 100A&B - downstairs. (Written Test Session - 0900 - 1100)
  • Physical agility test will be held on Saturday, December 2nd and located at the Pullman Fire Department Training Center. This will begin after you receive a passing score of 70% or higher on the written assessment. 
  • Oral board interviews will be held on December 4th, 5th and 6th at Fire Station 1, located at 620 S. Grand Avenue from 1800 to 2200. 
Recruit Academy 24-01 Orientation December 2nd, 2023
Recruit Academy 24-01 will begin on January 9, 2024

For more information contact Assistant Fire Chief Andrew Chiavaras at 509-338-3293.

Reserve Firefighter Requirements

  • Must be at least 18 years of age at time of appointment to the recruit academy.
  • Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
  • Must be a citizen of the United State of America.
  • Must possess good moral character and judgement as verified by a background check.
  • Must possess a valid driver's license with a good driving record as verified by submission of a drivers abstract.
  • Must be in good physical health.
  • Must own or have access to a motor vehicle.
  • Applicant must stay in Pullman during the first summer of employment.
  • Applicant must provide three-years of service to the department.
Recruit Hiring ProcessThe hiring process consists of the following elements:

  • Application screening including drivers abstract (please fill the application out electronically, electronic signatures are acceptable.)
  • Washington State Drivers Abstract (If you elect to obtain a physical copy of your abstract, please scan it to a PDF so you can attach it to an email.)
  • Email your application and drivers abstract to the Fire Admin Support Team
  • General knowledge written examination (minimum 70% to pass)
  • Physical agility test (pass/fail) or successful CPAT in the past 6 months.
  • Oral board interview
  • Background check
  • Medical physical
Physical AgilityCandidates who show proof of a successful CPAT in the past 6 months will not be required to complete an additional physical agility test.  Accepted CPAT is offered by the following organizations: 

Public Safety Testing - Spokane testing dates are available in November, 2023. 

National Testing Network

The physical agility test consists of three separate events which simulate essential tasks performed on the fire ground. All three events are performed wearing a 45-pound weighted vest, helmet, and utility gloves. The first event consists of five parts intended to measure the physical fitness of the candidate. These five parts are a tower climb, hose hoist, charged hoseline drag, forcible entry simulation, and a manikin drag. The candidate will have two-minutes to rest before starting the next event. Second, the candidate will crawl through a confidence course intended to measure if the candidate is claustrophobic. The candidate will have two-minutes to rest before starting the next event. Lastly, the candidate will climb to the top of Pullman's 85-foot aerial platform and back down. This tests whether or not the candidate is afraid of heights or acrophobic.

Each event is timed and failure to meet the specified time limit in any of the events constitutes a failure. The time limits are as follows:

  • Physical fitness test - 7 minutes
  • Claustrophobia test - 3 minutes
  • Acrophobia test - 5 minutes
Physical Agility Test Workout Program - Program  |  Exercise PicturesPhysical Agility Test Video



Recruit Class 20-01

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