Charlotte Fire Opens Applications: Start A Journey of Bravery, Service
Published on November 14, 2024
Charlotte Fire Engineer Levi Niswander directs a powerful water stream into a raging 5-alarm fire on Liberty Row Rd., captured on May 18, 2023. His focus and skill exemplify the bravery and expertise of Charlotte Fire's frontline heroes.
By Kevin Campbell, Charlotte Fire
The opportunity to be part of Charlotte’s elite firefighting team is opens Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, as Charlotte Fire kicks off its highly anticipated recruitment application process. The department, celebrated for its exceptional standards and commitment to the community, is calling on individuals ready to embrace a life of courage, camaraderie, and service. This is a chance to join a department that goes beyond just putting out fires – it builds heroes. Applications will be accepted through December 9, 2024. CLICK HERE TO APPLY.
Charlotte Fire recruits take a moment to regroup, reflecting the physical demands and dedication required in training.
From Day One, a Full-Time Commitment
Starting from the first day of training at the Charlotte Fire Training Academy, recruits become full-time employees with the City of Charlotte, enjoying a comprehensive benefits package that underscores the department’s commitment to its team. For many recruits, Charlotte Fire isn’t just a workplace; it’s a family. Currently training at the Academy, recruit Eli Basnight followed in his father’s footsteps, sharing, “I wanted to be a Charlotte firefighter because this is my hometown. It’s where my dad served, and it’s where I want to serve, protecting the community that raised me.”
Recruit Eli Basnight, following in his father's footsteps, feels a deep connection to his hometown as he trains to protect Charlotte.
The Charlotte Fire Training Academy offers approximately six months of rigorous training, where recruits learn firefighting essentials, sharpen their skills, and build lifelong bonds with their fellow trainees. These bonds are invaluable on the job, where teamwork and trust are essential. Recruits are not only shaped into firefighters but also guided to become better, stronger individuals, prepared to face any challenge.
A Calling Like No Other
Firefighting isn’t a job for everyone. It’s for those driven by a deep-seated desire to serve and protect, often at great personal risk. Charlotte Fire recruit Kyle Potochar, another current trainee originally from Freehold, NJ, explains his choice to join Charlotte Fire: “When I came to Charlotte, I fell in love with it. I met some friends in the department and was inspired by the culture here. It’s truly like being part of the best fire department in the country. I’m incredibly blessed to be here.”
Recruit Kyle Potochar, originally from New Jersey, embraces the challenges and camaraderie of training at Charlotte Fire.
Potochar’s decision to leave his former department in Freehold, NJ, was fueled by his desire to grow as a firefighter in a vibrant, large city with countless opportunities. He, like so many others, found in Charlotte Fire not just a career path but a sense of purpose. For him, Charlotte Fire’s culture and high standards made it the ideal department to call home.
Pushing Boundaries and Building Skills
Many recruits come to Charlotte Fire to test their limits and develop professionally. Blain Turner, also training at the Academy and a former Harrisburg firefighter, saw the move to Charlotte as a challenge and a chance to grow. “Charlotte’s a big city with one of the best fire departments in the nation,” he shares. “I wanted to challenge myself, to be in a place where I’m constantly building myself up as a firefighter.”
Recruit Blain Turner tackles a ladder drill, embodying the discipline and focus that firefighting demands.
Turner’s transition has required him to adapt to the unique demands of a major city, especially with Charlotte’s extensive commercial infrastructure. While previously more familiar with residential fire response, he now faces the complexities of commercial firefighting, a skillset essential to protecting a growing urban environment. His drive to constantly challenge himself is emblematic of the values Charlotte Fire looks for in every recruit.
Bravery Begins Here
A career with Charlotte Fire isn’t for those who seek comfort or routine – it’s for those who run toward danger, prepared to put their lives on the line for others. When asked why he chose such a high-stakes profession, Basnight’s response was resolute: “There aren’t many people who are willing to put themselves in danger for others. I am willing to do that, and it’s an honor to serve.”
Charlotte Fire recruit Eli Basnight, centered, focuses intently during a training exercise, embodying dedication and resilience as he prepares to serve his hometown. His determination reflects the commitment of every recruit at the Charlotte Fire Training Academy.
For Turner, the danger and unpredictability are what make the job worthwhile. A former college athlete, he values the physical demands and camaraderie that come with firefighting. “I couldn’t imagine myself behind a desk,” he says. “I missed the team atmosphere and doing something athletic. Firefighting brought me that sense of purpose and belonging.”
Charlotte Fire recruit Blain Turner reflects on the journey ahead, embracing the challenges and camaraderie of firefighter training with a focused resolve. His dedication exemplifies the spirit of service at Charlotte Fire.
These stories reflect the grit, passion, and dedication that Charlotte Fire is seeking in this year’s recruits. Charlotte Fire Chief Reginald Johnson has underscored the department’s commitment to selecting only the most driven individuals. “We’re looking for people who don’t just want a job but who answer a calling,” he says. “Being a firefighter isn’t easy. It’s demanding, it’s unpredictable, and it requires people who are ready to rise to the challenge every single day.”
Training to Be the Best
The training at Charlotte Fire Training Academy is rigorous and designed to push each recruit to their limits. Potochar highlights the incredible dedication of the training instructors: “The passion from the instructors has been incredible. They’re committed to putting the best firefighters on the street, and that dedication motivates us to give our best every day.”
Training Captain Stephen Pettit provides guidance as recruits navigate the intensity of fire training at the Charlotte Fire Training Academy.
Recruits are held to high standards and are taught to uphold the legacy of Charlotte Fire, a department known across the country for its professionalism and expertise. The academy prepares firefighters to handle everything from residential fires to complex commercial rescues, with specialized teams in hazardous materials, water rescue, and more. For those who crave ongoing challenges and growth, Charlotte Fire offers a career filled with unique opportunities.
Join Charlotte Fire – A Career that Makes a Difference
With the recruitment period open until December 9, 2024, Charlotte Fire is calling for applicants ready to embrace a life of service, resilience, and community. For anyone interested in becoming part of a team that values bravery, teamwork, and integrity, now is the time to apply.
Fully geared and ready, recruits learn to operate as a cohesive unit under challenging conditions.
As recruit Eli Basnight puts it, “Bravery begins here.” The chance to serve and protect the city, to be part of something larger, and to step into a career of meaning and impact awaits at Charlotte Fire.