*Please read the following job description in its entirety*
FIREFIGHTER
Department of Fire
Supervisor: Fire Captain
Class Characteristics: Performs intermediate work preventing, combating, and extinguishing fires, various rescue operations, providing appropriate medical care when needed, participating in training, and operating various forms of heavy equipment. Performing station maintenance, grounds keeping, and other general duties. Performs related work as apparent or assigned.
REQUIREMENTS: on the date of submission of the application, be eighteen (18) years of age and not over thirty-nine (39) years of age and provide copy of birth certificate with application; be a high school graduate or have earned a GED Diploma for high school level and provide copy of diploma with application. Must be an orderly, law‑abiding citizen, a person of sobriety and integrity, and of sound mind and body. Be willing to undergo a thorough personal background investigation prior to a conditional offer of employment; after a conditional offer of employment, successfully complete a thorough physical examination as required prior to probationary appointment provided satisfactorily passing of all other performance requirements; have any other qualifications as may be prescribed by Kentucky Statutes or ordinances of the City of Ashland (Ord. 173, 2024) including but not limited to Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) per KRS 95A.040; as a pre-condition to employment and a condition to continued employment, execute a waiver to submit to random testing for illicit drugs. This waiver will be in force as long as employed by the Ashland Fire Department. Provide a truthful statement certifying he has not used illicit drugs for the past twelve (12) months; be willing to submit to and successfully complete a polygraph test at option of the City prior to probationary appointment; possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and provide a copy. If a discharged veteran of the armed forces of the United States, present with application, official documentation or DD 214, official discharge, showing reason for discharge; applicant must have received an honorable discharge. If hired, applicant must acquire certification as a Kentucky Firefighter Basic II with IFSAC Firefighter I, II, Haz-Mat Awareness and Haz-Mat Operations within one (1) year of employment and must acquire and maintain Kentucky emergency medical technician certification within two (2) years of employment.
The written exam for the position of Firefighter consisting of 100 questions with a 2-hour time limit, will be given one time only on MONDAY, November 9, 2026 (2nd Monday) beginning at 9:00 AM at the Ashland Bus Depot (99 15th Street, Ashland, KY). Applicants may order the practice “National Fire Test Select Test (NFST)” by clicking the following link: https://www.fpsi.com/product/nfst/.
The NFST Candidate Orientation Guide is a helpful tool to prepare for the exam and can be downloaded as a PDF file and saved or printed. Please read through the disclaimer on the order page in order to have a successful download. Payments will be submitted through PayPal via an account or credit/debit card. Once payment is submitted, PayPal automatically redirects you back to the FPSI site where access to the download link will be located on the Order Details-Checkout Status page. Applicants must pay close attention to ALL instructions on both FPSI and PayPal’s websites in order to access the instant download successfully!
Click for the AFD Hiring Packet
Closing Date and Time for Accepting Applications: FRIDAY, October 30, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
Benefit Summary: Kentucky Retirement, Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance, City Paid Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation, Flexible Spending Account, Paid Leave (Sick & Vacation), Free Access to City Building Gym, and Discounts for YMCA Membership.
Equal Opportunity Employer
