How To Become A Fire Fighter

Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois

Are you interested in a career in the Fire Service but are not sure where to start?

Watch the video below and meet Abby Burnham and Courtney Looft of the Carbondale Fire Department. Listen to their story of how they secured a career in the Fire Service and assisted other women through their recruitment organization “Bad Ax Ladies.”

Below the video you will find a checklist of steps that can help jumpstart your career in the Fire Service!

1. Go Visit Your Local Fire Department:
– Talking to members of your local Fire Department can give you insight to what its like to be a Firefighter and they can tell you about the qualifications you need to get started.

– Your local Firefighters can also help prepare you for what to expect with the testing process.

1. Go Visit Your Local Fire Department:

2. Basic Qualifications to Apply for Career Departments:

– Currently be 21 to 35 years of age

– High school graduate or GED equivalent

– U.S. Citizen

– Some Departments may require additional things such as EMT/Paramedic of Basic Firefighter Certification. Make sure to check each Department’s qualifications before starting the process

3. Testing Process for Becoming a Firefighter
– Complete the Department’s application

– Complete the written exam component (Exam prep books are available online)

– Physical Exam (Some departments conduct their own, and some accept the CPAT) Click Here for CPAT INFO

– Participate in the Oral Interview Process

3. Testing Process for Becoming a Firefighter

4. Start with a Volunteer Fire Dept.

– Getting experience at a Volunteer Fire Department is a great way to jumpstart your career.

– Many Volunteer Fire Departments will take applicants starting at 18 years old.

– Many of these Departments can help you develop basic level Firefighting skills.

5. Find an Explorer’s Program:
– Many Departments have an Explorer/Cadet Post in their area which may be offered in conjunction with the Boy Scouts of America.

– These programs are offered to young people age 16-20 who are interested in the Fire Service and can help put you on the right track to becoming a Firefighter early.

5. Find an Explorer’s Program:

6. Colleges That Offer Firefighting Programs in Illinois:

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