Are you a military veteran applying to become a firefighter, EMT, or paramedic? You may qualify for extra points on your hiring examination—and those points could make the difference between getting hired and missing the cutoff.
How Many Points Do Veterans Receive?
Federal Government Jobs:
5 points: Veterans with qualifying military service, including certain wartime or campaign service.
10 points: Veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities or a Purple Heart.
Combat deployment alone does not automatically qualify someone for 10 federal points.
Check Your State—You May Qualify for More!
Every state has its own laws governing veterans’ preference for state and local government jobs, including many fire departments.
Washington State, for example:
10% preference: Qualifying veterans who served during a period of war or armed conflict and do not receive military retirement.
5% preference: Other qualifying veterans, including those who did not serve during a qualifying war or armed conflict, or who receive military retirement.
You don't necessarily have to have seen combat to qualify for Washington's 10% preference.
Under Washington law, these percentages are added to passing competitive examination scores on a 100-point scale. An 80 could become a 90 with the 10% preference.
Don't Leave Points on the Table!
Federal and state veterans’ preference laws are separate. States cannot take away federal hiring rights, but federal preference points do not automatically apply to municipal or county fire department hiring.
Before your next fire service application:
Check your state's veterans’ preference laws.
Submit your DD-214 and any required supporting documents.
Ask HR how your preference is applied to your final hiring score or ranking.
You served your country. Make sure you receive the hiring preference you've earned.
Proudly supporting our military veterans and the fire service community.
UNION FIRE STORE
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