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Certified. Experienced. Ready for more?
The Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services Lateral Program fast-tracks experienced, certified firefighters and EMTs into field operations — without requiring the full recruit academy.
At Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services, we turn experience into impact. Here, your leadership grows through action, your expertise is respected, and your service makes a lasting difference.
Are you ready to lead?
Your experience is your advantage. We offer competitive pay, advanced training, and clear paths for promotion.
After completing the lateral program, employees are eligible for Firefighter II credentialing and advancement opportunities, including non-competitive promotions where applicable.
For information about our benefits, visit the Salary and Benefits page.
To apply as a lateral candidate, you must already hold required certifications at the time of application:
IFSAC and ProBoard certifications are accepted, however out-of-state candidates must receive reciprocity through the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council and pass the Firefighter I written and skills tests to become state of Georgia certified.
If you presently hold a valid National Registry or State of Georgia Paramedic certification, please apply to the Firemedic position." below the IFSAC sentence.
After qualifiying for the Lateral Program, this process will be completed in three weeks.
Completion of three week Gwinnett Firefighter Core Training
If a candidate has NPQ FFI, NPQ FFII, NPQ Hazmat Awareness, NPQ Hazmat Operations, and is currently National Registry or State of GA EMT certified, they will not be required to attend recruit school. However, they will be assigned to the Training Academy upon hire for a two – three (2-3) week orientation prior to being assigned to Field Operations on a rotating 24-hour shift schedule until the next Lateral program begins. It is important to note each candidate’s experience and certifications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine credentialing verification.
Please also note, state reciprocity may extend beyond the 2-3 week orientation based on individual candidate qualifying status.
Pay is based on your certifications and experience. The current salary range is $51,049 - $81,733.
Additional benefits include:
The hiring process typically includes two phases:
If you are re-applying more than one year after leaving the department, you must complete the full hiring process (Phases I and II).
If you re-apply within one year of leaving: