Career guide · Virginia
How to Become a Female Firefighter in Virginia
13 active openings· pay $47k–$162k/yr· ~270-day hiring timeline
New to this path? Start with the firefighter career guide →
Know your readiness score — free
See exactly where you stand against CPAT standards before you apply. Built for women, scored against real numbers.
Get your free Firefighter readiness assessmentVirginia Firefighter requirements
The core documents and certifications most Virginia departments expect from firefighter candidates:
- ✓Valid driver's license
- ✓Birth certificate or passport
- ✓High school diploma / GED
- ✓EMT-Basic certification
- ✓CPR / BLS certification
- ✓CPAT completion certificate
- ✓Firefighter I certification
- ✓Firefighter II certification
- ✓Physical exam clearance letter
- ✓Background check authorization
CPAT fitness standards
Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) benchmarks. Women pass these at high rates when they train to them specifically — here are the minimum and target numbers:
| Event | Minimum | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Push-Ups | 25 reps | 40 reps |
| Pull-Ups | 3 reps | 8 reps |
| Sit-Ups (1 min) | 25 reps | 40 reps |
| 1.5-Mile Run | 15:30 | 13:00 |
| Stair Climb (Step Mill Hold) | 200 sec | 170 sec |
| Victim Drag (165 lbs, 35 ft) | 35 sec | 25 sec |
Take the free assessment → to see your gap on each event.
The Virginia hiring process
Insight from tracked Virginia departments like Fairfax County Fire and Rescue.
high
Competitiveness
270
Avg. days to hire
Where Virginia candidates fall short
4 common failure points and 4 insider tips for Virginia departments are inside the app. Unlock the full hiring intel →
Open firefighter jobs in Virginia
13 live openings, updated weekly from official agency boards.
Deputy Fire Chief
Fire Department · Charlottesville, VA
Firefighter/EMT
Constellis · Radford, VA
Fire Protection Engineer
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. · Arlington, VA
Fire Protection Engineer - Global Impact, Hybrid Work
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. · Arlington, VA
Firefighter (Basic Life Support)
Department of the Army · Fort Lee, Virginia, VA
Supervisory Firefighter
Department of the Army · Fort Lee, Virginia, VA
Firefighter
Fire - Union · 1 Gary K Anderson Plz Decatur, VA
Summer Public Safety Intern - RFD
Rochester Fire Department · Rochester, VA
Firefighter/EMT
Fire · City of Roanoke Fire-EMS Department - 713 Third Street SW, VA
Firefighter - Paramedic
Fire · City of Roanoke Fire-EMS Department - 713 Third Street SW, VA
Firefighter/Medic (Firefighter/Paramedic)
Fire & Rescue · FIRE AND RESCUE ACADEMY, VA
Firefighter (Firefighter/EMT)
Fire & Rescue · FIRE AND RESCUE ACADEMY, VA
Senior Fire Equipment Mechanic
Rochester Fire Department · Rochester, VA
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