Employment Opportunities

Bluffton Township Fire District
The Journey Begins Here

To see our current open positions and apply online

About Us

"Devoted to Duty Above Personal Risk, Since 1978"

The Bluffton Township Fire District is located in Beaufort County, the southernmost coastal county in South Carolina. Bluffton is located just 12 miles west of Hilton Head Island, SC and approximately 20 miles northeast of Savannah, GA, and consists of a wide range of geography, including unspoiled sea marshes, creeks, lagoons, and heavily wooded forests of tall pine trees, palmettos and live oaks.

The Bluffton Township Fire District is an all-hazards organization that provides fire protection, non-transport emergency medical services (EMS), and other emergency services. The District operates a 24 on and 48 hours off three-shift system to provide 24/7 protection to our community. Each shift has a minimum staffing level of twenty-nine (29) personnel on duty. There are 9 fire stations covering 246 square miles. Three stations house ALS engine companies while the remaining 6 are staffed by BLS Engine companies. The District also has a dedicated Truck company, a Heavy Rescue company, and 2 Battalion Chiefs.

The department responds to a wide variety of incidents each year, with approximately 75% being medical related responses. To meet this need, we require all personnel to be trained to a minimum level of National Registry Basic Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) within their first year of employment.

Many of our employees are also members of either a Regional Hazard Materials Team or Regional Urban Search and Rescue Team. These teams are coordinated and executed in partnership with our neighboring departments.

We encourage the hiring and development of a high-functioning and diverse workforce to meet the needs of our citizens and visitors. We offer a meaningful career, competitive salary and benefits, and an abundance of learning and promotional opportunities to those wishing to proudly serve the Bluffton Township Fire District community.

"I have no ambition in this world but one, and that is to be a firefighter.
The position may, in the eyes of some appear to be a lowly one;
but we who know the work which the firefighter has to do believe ours is a noble calling.
Our proudest moment is to save lives."
– Edward F. Croker

Equal Employment Opportunities

Bluffton Township Fire District Provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to All Employees and Applicants for Employment Without Regard to Race, Color, Religion, Sex, National Origin, Age, Disability or Genetics. In Addition to Federal Law Requirements, Bluffton Township Fire District Complies With Applicable State and Local Laws Governing Nondiscrimination in Employment in Every Location in Which the Company Has Facilities. This Policy Applies to All Terms and Conditions of Employment, Including Recruiting, Hiring, Placement, Promotion, Termination, Layoff, Recall, Transfer, Leaves of Absence, Compensation and Training.

Firefighter Hiring Process Application

To apply, complete your BTFD Application using the Online Application Portal.

If you are currently certified as a National Registry EMT or Paramedic, you may submit a copy of your current NREMT card with your BTFD Application.

Physical Aptitude

Firefighting is physically demanding. The Recruit Firefighter Physical Aptitude Test measures your ability to perform a series of events that functionally resemble fire ground activities.

Employment FAQs

What's the qualifications to be a Firefighter?

Our minimum qualifications are:

– 18 years of age
– Possess a high school diploma or G.E.D
– Possess a valid driver’s license
– Be eligible to work in the United States

No fire and rescue experience or training is required. We hire both experienced and inexperienced candidates depending on department needs at the time a vacancy occurs. If a candidate selected for hire is not already certified in Firefighter I & II, BTFD will pay for them to attend Recruit School.

Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow