Fire Fighter Vacancies – eThekwini Municipality (Durban)
Employer: eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality
Department: Public Safety Department – Fire Services Directorate
Division: Operations PSFIRE Division
Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Job Type: Full-Time
Reference Numbers:
- Fire Fighter – 43000284
- Senior Fire Fighter – 43000284B
- Leading Fire Fighter – 43000284C
Posted: 17 July 2026
Closing Date: 31 July 2026
About the Opportunity
The eThekwini Municipality is recruiting qualified and dedicated Fire Fighters to join the Fire Services Directorate. These positions provide an opportunity to serve the community by responding to fires, rescue operations, hazardous material incidents, medical emergencies, and other humanitarian emergencies.
Successful candidates will work as part of highly trained emergency response teams responsible for protecting lives, property, and the environment. Employees will also participate in public fire education, emergency preparedness, station maintenance, equipment inspections, and continuous operational training.
Applicants must be physically fit, able to work under pressure, and committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, teamwork, and public service.
Available Positions
🚒 Fire Fighter (Grade 07)
This entry-level operational role focuses on emergency response, fire suppression, rescue operations, emergency medical assistance, public education, and station maintenance.
🚒 Senior Fire Fighter (Grade 09)
Senior Fire Fighters perform advanced operational firefighting duties, supervise emergency activities, assist with training, participate in fire safety planning, and ensure operational readiness of equipment and personnel.
🚒 Leading Fire Fighter (Grade 10)
Leading Fire Fighters provide operational leadership during emergency incidents, supervise firefighting teams, operate specialist emergency vehicles and rescue equipment, conduct health and safety inspections, assist with firefighter training, and may assume command responsibilities when required.
Key Responsibilities
Successful candidates may be required to:
- Respond to fires and emergency incidents.
- Perform rescue operations.
- Attend hazardous materials (Hazmat) incidents.
- Provide emergency medical care.
- Participate in fire prevention and community education programmes.
- Conduct firefighting drills and physical fitness training.
- Inspect and maintain firefighting equipment and vehicles.
- Complete operational reports and incident documentation.
- Maintain fire stations and operational readiness.
- Participate in specialised rescue operations.
- Follow Occupational Health and Safety procedures.
- Work closely with emergency response teams during incidents.
Minimum Requirements
Fire Fighter (Grade 07)
Applicants must have:
- Grade 12 (NQF Level 4) or equivalent.
- Firefighter I Certificate.
- Firefighter II Certificate.
- Hazmat Awareness Certificate.
- Hazmat Operations Certificate.
- Valid First Aid Level III Certificate.
- Valid driver’s licence.
- Minimum 1 year operational firefighting experience.
Senior Fire Fighter (Grade 09)
Applicants must have:
- Grade 12.
- Firefighter I & II Certificates.
- Hazmat Awareness & Operations Certificates.
- Breathing Apparatus Certificate.
- Safety Awareness Certificate.
- Swift Water Rescue Certificate.
- Valid First Aid Level III.
- Valid driver’s licence.
- Minimum 3 years operational experience.
Leading Fire Fighter (Grade 10)
Applicants must have:
- Grade 12.
- Firefighter I & II Certificates.
- Hazmat Awareness & Operations Certificates.
- Safety Practitioner’s Certificate.
- Pump/Driver Operator or Aerial Appliance Certificate.
- High Angle Rescue Level 1 Certificate.
- Valid First Aid Level III.
- Valid Code C driver’s licence.
- Minimum 5 years operational experience, including 2 years as a Senior Fire Fighter.
Preferred Qualifications
Candidates with the following will have an advantage:
- Higher Certificate in Fire Technology or related qualification.
- Fire Service Instructor I Certificate.
- Additional operational experience beyond the minimum requirements.
Skills and Competencies
Successful applicants should demonstrate:
- Firefighting and rescue skills.
- Emergency medical care.
- Hazardous materials response.
- Strong communication skills.
- Community service orientation.
- Problem-solving ability.
- Leadership and teamwork.
- Physical endurance.
- Resilience under pressure.
- Commitment to public safety.
Special Conditions
Applicants should be aware that this role requires:
- Shift work, including weekends and public holidays.
- Deployment to any municipal fire station.
- Occupational and medical assessments (NFPA 1582).
- No previous criminal convictions.
- Working in hazardous environments.
- Heavy lifting and physically demanding rescue work.
- Working at heights and in confined spaces.
- Exposure to smoke, chemicals, infectious diseases, and traumatic incidents.
- Maintaining departmental physical fitness standards at all times.
Employee Benefits
Successful candidates will receive:
- Competitive municipal salary.
- 13th cheque.
- Housing subsidy.
- Medical aid.
- Pension fund.
- Annual leave benefits.
- Full-time permanent municipal employment.
Annual Salary
Fire Fighter (Grade 07)
💰 R243,479.01 – R316,060.58 per annum
Senior Fire Fighter (Grade 09)
💰 R308,655.60 – R400,637.07 per annum
Leading Fire Fighter (Grade 10)
💰 R347,517.13 – R451,095.57 per annum
📍 Location
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
📅 Closing Date
31 July 2026
Suitably qualified candidates who meet the minimum requirements are encouraged to submit their applications before the closing date.