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The Tega Cay Fire Department is a dedicated public safety organization committed to protecting lives and property within the City of Tega Cay and surrounding areas. Its core responsibilities include fire suppression and prevention, emergency medical response, rescue operations, and overall life safety services. The department also partners with neighboring jurisdictions through aid agreements to ensure a coordinated and effective emergency response. Beyond emergency services, the department actively works to enhance the community’s quality of life by promoting public education, offering volunteer opportunities, and providing continuous training and development for its firefighters.
Guided by its vision statement, the Tega Cay Fire Department operates as a close-knit family that honors tradition, invests in one another, and pursues excellence through its core values of professionalism, passion, and perseverance, all in service of its mission to protect and serve the community.
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Firefighter Job Description
Firefighter II/EMT Job Description
Volunteer Firefighter Job Description
Compensation
- Starting Salary:
- Uncertified Firefighter is $46,650 (pay increases available upon completion of South Carolina Fire Academy)
- At the discretion of the Department, SC Fire Academy costs may be covered.
- While in attendance at the SC Fire Academy, uncertified firefighters are compensated.
- Certified Firefighter 1 is $46,650.
- Pay increase upon completion of National Registry EMT Certification
- Certified Firefighter 2 without EMT is $48,576
- Pay increase upon completion of National Registry EMT Certification
- Uncertified Firefighter is $46,650 (pay increases available upon completion of South Carolina Fire Academy)
**Requirement to obtain National Registry EMT certification within 1 year of course availability
- Competitive Pay with experience and education incentives.
- Extra Duty Employment Rate: $55 per hour
City Benefits and Incentives
- South Carolina Retirement System:
- Membership date on or before June 30, 2012 are eligible to retire and receive vested benefits after completing 25 years of service in the retirement system, or after attaining age 55 with 5 or more years of service in the system
- Membership date on or after July 1, 2012 are eligible to retire and receive vested benefits if the member has 8 years or more of earned service in the system, has reached the age of 55 or has 27 years of service credit, and has separated from service
- Insurance Benefits
- Medical Insurance - The City pays the employee’s premium for coverage, and currently subsidizes a portion of the dependents’ premiums.
- Vision Insurance - Tega Cay provides vision benefits at no charge to the employee and pays 50% of the cost of the plan for employee's dependents.
- Dental Insurance- Tega Cay provides dental benefits at no charge to the employee and pays 50% of the cost of the plan for employee's dependents.
- Prescription Coverage
- Other City Benefits; including Accrual rates, paid holidays, Flex benefit plans, deferred compensation (401K/457 plans), & worker's compensation.
Department Benefits and Incentives
- 48/96 Schedule
- Guaranteed overtime and holiday pay
- Event pay incentive
- Wellness Day
- 24 hours off earned with participation
- In-house hands on training
- Fire
- Medical
- Technical rescue: water, rope, vehicle, confined space, and trench rescue
- Boat, jet ski, & ATV response assets
- New aerial & engine pending arrival
- Uniforms provided
- Supplemental Insurance & Retirement available
Minimum Requirements
- Possess a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) recognized by the South Carolina Department of Education
- No convictions of misdemeanor or felony crimes.
- Must successfully pass a background investigation
- Must successfully pass a medical physical exam and drug screening
- Must successfully pass the physical ability test (PAT)
- Must successfully pass the Accuplacer test, if request by the Department.
- Must successfully pass an oral interview board
Other Requirements (Uncertified):
- Must successfully complete the South Carolina Fire Academy.
Other Requirements (Certified):
- IFSAC/Pro-Board Certificates or South Carolina Fire Academy recognized equivalent.
Uncertified & Certified Applicants
- Application
- Applications reviewed for disqualifiers
- Satisfactory completion of PAT (Physical Ability Test) and Accuplacer, if necessary.
- Interview Panel: The applicant is scheduled for an interview with the Chief and designated panel. The applicant is scored based on their responses to a series of questions.
- Background Investigation: A thorough background investigation is completed on all applicants. This includes (but is not limited to) employment history, driving history, and a criminal history check.
- Satisfactory completion of Medical Examination and drug screening.