All firefighters are hired at the Firefighter Recruit I level with starting salary of $45,213 per year. The salary will advance to $48,800 after successful completion of the fire academy, Advanced EMT, and field training.
Benefits: Hampton offers excellent benefits, career and professional development, tuition reimbursement, and additional benefits.
Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts and Employee Education Assistance
Paid Vacation, Personal Days, Sick Leave, Bereavement Leave, Holidays (10), and Birthday
VRS Retirement Plan with 1.85% multiplier, to include Hazardous Duty Supplement after 20 years
Defined Contribution 401(a) and 457 Hybrid
Refer to the city’s benefits web page and the Employee Benefits Guide for detailed information.
Additional Incentives: Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue is committed to acknowledging our team member’s efforts furthering their education. Additional educational degrees and certifications will increase firefighters' salaries:
$600 with an associate degree.
$700 with a bachelor’s degree.
$1,600 with EMT-Intermediate and five years’ service as a uniformed division member.
$2,200 with a master’s degree and 10 years’ service as a uniformed division member.
$4000 annually for those who complete and maintain Virginia EMT-Paramedic training.
Firefighter's Schedule
Our firefighters work a 24-hour shift (average of 10 days a month) or 156-168 hours in a three-week cycle.
21-day Work Cycle/52-to-56-hour workweek:
Work (1) day - Off (5) days
Work (1) day - Off (1) day
Work (1) day - Off (1) day
Work (1) day - Off (1) day
Work (1) day - Off (3) days
Work (1) day - Off (1) day
Work (1) day - Off (2) days
Organizational Structure
The Hampton Fire and Rescue Division uses a para-military organizational structure: