The City of Fairfax Fire Department is a combination department comprised of career employees, members of the City of Fairfax Professional Firefighters and Paramedics IAFF Local 2702 and our partners with the Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
Promotional opportunities are basically impossible unless you promote to ALS Lieutenant first (ride a medic for years).
Not much support staff, so operational staff are stuck with the burden of serving on committees and managing budgets (sold as a way to promote) and promotes a culture of yes men and kissing ass.
Pay is not competitive with the surrounding area, we work the same hours for the same or less pay. Police Officers work 16 hours less per week for the same pay.
Growing trend of reduced hours in this area & we will be the last to adopt a 4 platoon schedule.
Experienced firefighters are mostly hired… however no lateral pay is offered.
Prepare to have no down time and be completing irrelevant tasks all day, or spending hours on irrelevant or ground ball training that is full of “gotcha” moments, so people looking to promote can look good on paper.
Only department to have a 30 year state retirement in Virginia.
Only two leave slots per day, means taking leave is painful unless it’s trade time.
Upper management is severely disconnected from operations, especially for a 2 station department. I would guess the Fire Chief knows 50% of staff by name.
Grudges are held on to by management, meaning if they don’t like you… you will not promote.
Rating Breakdown
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2 Reviews on “City of Fairfax Fire Department”
Poor leadership and extended hours but it depends on your crew to make it or break it.
Promotional opportunities are basically impossible unless you promote to ALS Lieutenant first (ride a medic for years).
Not much support staff, so operational staff are stuck with the burden of serving on committees and managing budgets (sold as a way to promote) and promotes a culture of yes men and kissing ass.
Pay is not competitive with the surrounding area, we work the same hours for the same or less pay. Police Officers work 16 hours less per week for the same pay.
Growing trend of reduced hours in this area & we will be the last to adopt a 4 platoon schedule.
Experienced firefighters are mostly hired… however no lateral pay is offered.
Prepare to have no down time and be completing irrelevant tasks all day, or spending hours on irrelevant or ground ball training that is full of “gotcha” moments, so people looking to promote can look good on paper.
Only department to have a 30 year state retirement in Virginia.
Only two leave slots per day, means taking leave is painful unless it’s trade time.
Upper management is severely disconnected from operations, especially for a 2 station department. I would guess the Fire Chief knows 50% of staff by name.
Grudges are held on to by management, meaning if they don’t like you… you will not promote.