The Gastonia Fire Department offers an extensive benefits package, including:
- 401-K Plan (5% annual salary employer contribution)
- NC Local Government Retirement System
- NC Firefighters' & Rescue Squad Workers Pension System
- Special Separation Allowance
- Health & Dental Coverage
- Employer Paid Life Insurance Equal To Annual Salary / Supplemental Life Available
- Tuition Assistance (up to $2,000 per calendar year)
- 12 Paid Holidays
- Paid Sick Leave
- Paid Vacation
Do you have what it takes to be a Gastonia Firefighter?
- Must possess a valid driver's license before offer of employment
- Applicants with military service must have an honorable discharge if any; "General discharge under Honorable conditions" will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis
- Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects
- In addition, firefighters must think critically and solve complex problems during physical exertion in stressful, hazardous environments.
Hiring Process
For your application to be complete, the following criteria must be met by the applicant:
- Must be 18 years of age with a High School Diploma or Accredited GED at the time of being hired.
- Applicant must have a valid, appropriate driver's license.
After the application criteria are met, the following steps will be necessary to advance in the process:
1. Gastonia Physical Agility Test (GPAT). (See The GPAT Instructional Video below)
2. Panel Interview
3. Chief's Interview
4. Pre-polygraph test/Polygraph Test
5. ACT National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) or provide a college transcript showing successful completion of a minimum of an associate's degree,
or have completed either NFPA 1001 Firefighter Certification or Emergency Medical Technician. The department will send you to obtain the NCRC if you do
not have a degree, certification, or a Career Readiness Certificate.
6. Medical Examination, Eye Examination, Drug Screening.
Automatic Disqualifications
- Anything other than an Honorable Discharge from the military, "General discharge under Honorable conditions," will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
- Admission and/or conviction of a felony offense
- Admission and/or conviction of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude
- Use of marijuana/THC (smoke, inhale, ingest, etc.) within 6 months before, or any time after, the date of application
- Use of any other illicit or illegal drugs within 3 years before, or any time after, the date of application
- Pattern of theft
- Six or more points for moving violations on the driving record during the past three (3) years.
- The three-year period is to be calculated from the date of conviction for each violation.
- Court decisions such as Prayer for Judgment Continued (PJC) will be counted as convictions.
- DUI/DWI conviction within the last five (5) years
- Candidates will be expected to be in compliance with this policy prior to employment. Gastonia Fire Department Tattoo Policy
Applicants with questions concerning out-of-state certifications, please read the following:
The State of North Carolina accepts the following International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Certifications: Firefighter, Instructor, Haz Mat, Driver Ops, Emergency Vehicle Driver, Fire Officer, Technical Rescuer, Fire Life Safety Educator, Marine Shipboard Firefighter, and Airport Firefighter.
The State of North Carolina also accepts the following National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (Pro Board) Certifications: Firefighter, Instructor, Fire Life Safety Educator and Fire Officer.
If you have any questions, please contact the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal by clicking here.
Any applicant with an Emergency Medical Certification (EMT), would need to apply for their North Carolina EMT Certification through the North Carolina Office of EMS. That can be done by clicking here.
Please click here for the online application.
For questions about the process, call Assistant Chief Matt Young at 704-869-1932 or by email (preferred) Matt.Young@GastoniaNC.Gov.
After You Are Hired
Training at the Gastonia Fire Department is a continuous process, beginning with all probationary employees. Newly hired personnel who do not hold the North Carolina Firefighter Certification or NC EMT will be sent to obtain them within 18 months. Following certification, probationary firefighters will work a 30-day 8 am until 5 pm Monday-Friday shift for department orientation. Probationary firefighters will remain on probation for one year from their hire date.
For questions about applications, contact City of Gastonia Human Resources at:
181 S South Street
Gastonia, North Carolina
704-866-6858
