Firefighter Positions
Frequently Asked Questions • Full-Time Employment • Part-Time Employment • Paid-On-Call Employment
Frequently Asked Questions About Recruitment and Hiring

 •  There are three categories of firefighter employees:  Full-time firefighter/paramedics, Part-time firefighters and Paid-On-Call firefighters.

ü   Full-time firefighter/paramedics work 24-hours on-duty followed by 48-hours off-duty and receive health care insurance, paid time off and pension benefits.  All full-time firefighters are hired using an eligibility list that is created using a testing procedure.

ü   Part-time employees work 12 or 24-hour shifts in the fire station.

ü   Paid-on-call employees have just completed training and may fill in shifts as need occurs.

 •   There is no residency for full-time or part-time personnel.  Paid-on-call applicants who reside within approximately three (3) miles of the fire district may be given greater consideration.

We operate with 10 members on-duty, in the station 24-hours a day.  Paid-on-call members provide back up for structure fires and multiple call situations. In some cases, Paid-On-Call members may work filling in part-time shifts.

Full-Time Employment Information - CLOSED AT THIS TIME.

All applicants must be a Office of the State Fire Marshal Firefighter II and enrolled in a paramedic class to take the employment exam. The Board of Fire Commission establish an eligibility list as required by law. This list is normally good for a period of two years.

Requirements to apply for Full Time Employment are as follows:

  • Firefighter II
  • Paramedic (Enrolled at time of applications,
  • Completed the CPAT physicals abilities testing. - For more information - go to WWW.NIPSTA.ORG
The current eligibility list will expire in early 2010.  Applications will not be made available or testing begun until then unless the list is exhausted. 

Part-Time Employment Information

We occasionally have part-time openings throughout the year.  We are recruiting only paramedic/firefighters. We do not have a “test” ever.  We accept applications all year and pull qualified applicants when we need a member.

Part-time personnel must be, at minimum, possess Office of the State Fire Marshal certified Firefighter 2, be IDPH licensed paramedic and have current, valid class D drivers license.  Upon appointment, applicant must obtain a non-CDL class B license. Upon offer of employment, obtain ALS privileges in the Northwest Community EMS system in order to begin work.

It is the responsibility of the applicant, and not the FD, to insure the application instructions are understood and followed fully. The first level of applicant review is that of determining if the applicant followed the simple, written instructions provided.

Paid-On Call Employment Information - PROGRAM FILLED FOR 2008 - CHECK BACK IN LATE 2008 FOR 2009 PROGRAM

 •   No experience is necessary.  Applicants need only meet the requirements on preliminary application.

 •   Applicants for Paid-On-Call firefighter must complete an IDPH-approved EMT-B course BEFORE the start of the Recruit Firefighter Training Program and become a licensed EMT within 30 days of appointment.

 •   Applicants must also provide proof of successful completion of the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT).  Applicants must obtain this proof at their expense and maintain it as valid until appointed.  A card is valid if it was issued within the past 12 months.

 •   Preliminary Applications can be obtained at the fire station or our web site.  Once you fill out the preliminary application we will contact you in the fall of the same year with the date of the orientation and testing session. This session is held in late October or early November.

 •   We usually begin our Recruit Training Program (Firefighter 2 training) in January of each year. Participation in this program is mandatory and unpaid.  The class meets two days a week from 8AM-5PM for approximately 24 weeks. Details will be explained at the orientation and testing session held in the late fall.  Completion is mandatory.

 •   If you are already certified by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal as a Fire Fighter 2 (or higher) please provide a resume along with copies of your state Fire Fighter 2 certificate and EMT-B (or higher) license with your application.  We will evaluate your training and experience and indicate whether or not you will be required to attend our Recruit Training Program.

      Further questions may be directed to Deputy Chiefs Smith or Jones at (847) 253-8060 Monday through Friday during normal business hours (9:00 AM - 4:00 PM).

LINK TO PRELIMINARY APPLICATION AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION