Polk County Offering $10,000 Sign-On Bonus for Paramedics and Firefighter/Paramedics

A two-year wage and benefit agreement finalized last month between Polk County and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Union 3531 has allowed Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) to begin offering a $10,000 sign-on bonus and additional incentives for qualified single-certificate Paramedics and Firefighter/Paramedic applicants.

To qualify for the sign-on bonus, applicants must be nationally registered or have completed their State of Florida equivalency certification requirements. Applicants must be certified in the State of Florida as a paramedic and Firefighter/Paramedics must possess a Florida Firefighter Bureau of Fire Standards Certificate of Compliance.

Firefighter/Paramedic's from a "career" fire department (lateral transfers) with at least two years of experience are not required to complete a Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). Every year of experience equates to one step in advancement up to Step 5.

"Polk County Fire Rescue is excited to invite qualified candidates to join a progressive, EMS-based fire department with 49 stations," said Fire Chief Hezedean A. Smith, D.M. "We want to attract a diverse and skilled pool of candidates, and we have adopted a forward-thinking approach in recruiting those who are ready to become part of the lived-experience in PCFR, which serves the four largest county in the state."

Those interested in applying for a position with PCFR, please contact Recruiter Betzi LaCounte via email at [email protected] or call (863) 519-7350.