Is Firefighting for You?

• Recruitment & Hiring Process
• 2009 Candidate Preparation Guide
• Firefighter Prerequisites
• Qualities Desirable in a Firefighter
• What You Should Know About the City of Madison Fire Department
• A Day in the Life of a Madison Firefighter...
• Answers to Common Questions You May Have
• A Few Words from Chief Debra H. Amesqua
• Physical Demands & Working Conditions
• City of Madison Fire Department Statement of Purpose
• International Firefighters Study Places City of Madison #1 for Diversity
• Madison: A Great Place To Be

Recruitment & Hiring Process

City of Madison firefighter recruitment is conducted approximately every 2 years, with the beginning of the next recruitment process to begin on Monday, October 6, 2008.  The firefighter recruitment and selection process is extensive and generally takes 9-10 months from initial application to the first round of hiring.  The recruitment & hiring process generally consists of the following components:

• Step 1: Candidates complete and turn in all required application materials to the City of Madison Human Resources Department

  • Potential candidates need to meet certain Firefighter Prerequisites to be considered for employment with the City of Madison Fire Department.

• Step 2: Written Test and Personality Inventory

  • The written test generally consists of multiple-choice questions designed to test nine abilities important to the performance of the firefighter's job, such as memory, visualization, and reasoning.

  • The Personality Inventory consists of a series of questions designed to assess a candidate's motivational, value-related, and attitudinal characteristics.

• Step 3: Physical Ability Test

  • The Physical Ability Test consists of a series of events that simulate firefighting activities (e.g., dragging hoses, carrying equipment, searching for and rescuing victims).

  • It is never too early to start training to become a firefighter.  Building strength and endurance is important in passing the exam and in keeping with the physical demands of the position if hired.

• Step 4: Oral Board Examination

  • The Oral Board Examination (final phase of testing) is designed to measure a candidate's ability in several different areas: verbal comprehension, verbal expression, reasoning, fluency of ideas, and originality.

Candidates that successfully complete the first four steps are placed on the Police & Fire Commission's (PFC) Firefighter Eligibility List, which remains in effect for approximately 18 - 24 months or until such time as the list is dissolved by the PFC.  These candidates are scheduled for an oral interview with the Fire Chief (Step 5).

• Step 5: Chief's Oral Interview

  • The Fire Chief, along with one or two other individuals, interviews each candidate on the PFC's Firefighter Eligibility List.  Upon completion of the interviews, the Chief reviews the files and selects a number of individuals to receive extensive reference/background checks.  After completion of these checks and additional review, the Chief presents her list of proposed hires to the Police and Fire Commission for their preliminary approval subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination.

  • Pursuant to the PFC's preliminary approval, the Department makes a conditional offer of employment contingent on completion of a satisfactory pre-employment medical examination at the City's occupational health provider.

  • Upon satisfactory completion of the pre-employment medical examination, employment as a Firefighter Recruit begins on a pre-determined date at the Firefighter Recruit Training Academy.

The City of Madison is an Equal Employment Employer. We encourage minorities and women to apply.

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES AND ACCURACY OF DATA.  The information contained herein is merely an informal summary of the process.  No warranty, expressed or implied, is made regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, reliability or usefulness of the information.  Should you have any questions regarding the recruitment and hiring process for the City of Madison Fire Department, please direct your inquiry to FireRecruitment@cityofmadison.com.

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Candidate Preparation Guide

The Candidate Preparation Guide has been designed to help you prepare for the Madison, WI, Entry-Level Firefighter Examination.  This guide covers the Written Test, Work Styles Questionnaire, Life Experience Survey, Physical Ability Test, and the Oral Board Examination.  Please click on the link below to view the Candidate Preparation Guide.  It is highly recommended that you obtain a copy of this beneficial guide.  

Please note that this is the guide for the 2009 firefighter application process.  Persons possessing previous versions of the guide from past application processes should obtain a copy of this most recent version.   

2009 Candidate Preparation Guide (pdf file)

To view PDF files download a FREE copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader.  Click on the button (link) below and follow the instructions.

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Qualities Desirable in a Firefighter

• motivation to serve
• effective communication skills
• physical, mental, emotional health
• ability to exercise sound judgment
• strong sense of responsibility
• compassion (even when stressed)
• ability to work as team member
• tolerance
• honesty and integrity
• problem-solving skills
• strong work ethic
• sense of humor
  

The City of Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We encourage minorities and women to apply.

What You Should Know About the City of Madison Fire Department

The over 300 men and women that make up the Madison Fire Department come from all parts of the United States. We vary in culture as well as educational background. Some of our people stem from generations of fire personnel and some had no experience until becoming a member of our department. The department strives to reflect the diversity of our City in its employees.

The Fire Department provides additional special services to the community. These services include response to hazardous materials incidents, lake and rope rescue, and Advanced Life Support (paramedic). These services offer an opportunity to receive training in these areas.

As a newly hired City of Madison firefighter, you start at the Recruit Academy. During this intensive training, you will use both mental and physical skills in preparation for your career in the fire service. The class curriculum covers instruction in areas such as fire suppression, inspection, community education, hazardous materials and emergency medicine. The program for emergency medical technician covers 144 hours. You serve an 18-month probation and a 3-1/2 year apprenticeship.

As a City of Madison firefighter, you may seek to serve in additional career positions in the areas of Fire Suppression (such as Paramedic, Apparatus Engineer and Lieutenant), Fire Investigation, Training and Administration.

A Place to Flourish

The City of Madison Fire Department strives to create a work environment where each individual is valued. This is a workplace where individuals are challenged and motivated to do their best work every day.

An International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Diversity Initiative report ranked the Department #1 “for excellent diversity for all groups.” The IAFF specifically addressed under-representation of people of color and gays and lesbians in the fire service.

The City of Madison Fire Department remains committed to hiring firefighters who are a true reflection of the community we serve.

Our mission is simple: Public Safety.

It’s a broad term that requires broader skills. Physical strength and fitness are a must.

It’s also an ambitious goal. Our service to the community demands that we anticipate risks and address them with innovative approaches that meet people at their point of need.

It’s a fact that the vast majority of fires are preventable. Cultural, social, economic, and environmental factors significantly influence risk for both fire and injury.

As the IAFF study concludes, the City of Madison Fire Department doesn’t just practice diversity in hiring — we embrace it.

To fully realize the promise of diversity, an openness to new ideas and techniques is essential.

A solution-oriented, learning environment applies those new ideas in creative ways that produce positive results.

The men and women who make up the Madison Fire Department come from all parts of the United States. We vary in culture as well as educational background. Some of our people are the product of generations of fire personnel and some had no experience until becoming a member of our Department.

Regardless of background or experience, upon joining the Department, they become part of a unified team building on discipline, respect and trust.

Our promise as an organization is that all personnel are given the tools and the support they require to work together comfortably and effectively.

Much of that support is in the form of ongoing training. Our readiness as a Department depends on learning and practicing new techniques.

The MFD aggressively pursues grant funding for new equipment and training to ensure that all personnel are well-prepared and well-protected.

Through careful management of resources, the Department has become a regional leader, particularly in the areas of Advanced Life Support, Hazardous Materials, and Heavy Urban Rescue.

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A Day in the Life of a Madison Firefighter...

Your 24-hour shift begins at 7:00 a.m. When you report for duty, you will be assigned to a particular job on an apparatus for the day. Crews discuss the day’s tasks to complete and various maintenance checks are made. All apparatus and every piece of equipment is checked daily to ensure it is functioning properly.

Station clean-up and housekeeping duties take place in the morning. Some mornings may have additional duties like station drills, tours, or community education events such as teaching fire safety to children using the Fire Safety House.

In the afternoon, you and your company may be assigned preventive fire inspections or other duties.

Firefighters regularly enhance their readiness with ongoing training, or self-study.

Firefighters have many opportunities for career development. They are eligible to join special teams for rapid intervention (RIT), lake rescue, heavy urban rescue, hazardous material response, and tactical emergency medical service (TEMS).

Emergency calls are our department’s priority and will take precedence over all other activities.

In the evening station time is less structured with personal time available for working out or additional study. Firefighters live at the station for 24 hours and are allowed to sleep at night if not called out for emergencies.

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Answers to Common Questions You May Have:

What is the Recruit Training Academy?  The Madison Fire Department Recruit Training Academy is a 20 week course designed to teach new firefighters and to challenge firefighters holding current State Certifications.  During the Academy, recruits are taught the basics of firefighting and many advanced skills such as Smoke Divers, Advanced Rescue, Hazardous Materials Technician and Emergency Medical Technician.  The Academy is physically and mentally challenging.  Not all make it through to completion. The MFD Training Staff is committed to making the best new firefighters and making existing firefighters better.

How long is the Recruit Academy?  The Recruit Academy takes 20 weeks to complete.  If you are not certified at the EMT-B level, an additional 4 weeks is needed to complete the academy.

Are new recruits paid  while in the Recruit Academy?  Yes.  For more information on salary and benefits visit any one of the following sites:

• Fire Fighters Local 311

• City of Madison Human Resources Department Contracts - Local 311 Contract

Is residency required? No, at this time you are not required to live in the City of Madison to be a firefighter with the Madison Fire Department.  However, residency is a requirement for fire managers.

When will the next hiring process be?  The City of Madison Fire Department, through the City of Madison Human Resources Department, is anticipating that the next recruitment process will begin on Monday, October 6, 2008. 

I've been a firefighter for XX years, do I still have to go to the Recruit Academy? Yes, all new members are required to go through the Recruit Academy regardless of past years of firefighting experience.

How do I become a Paramedic? After becoming a firefighter with the City of Madison Fire Department and the application process for Paramedic has been opened by the Department, firefighters can apply to become a Paramedic with the Department.  The amount of training required will depend on an individual's qualifications, as well as the Department's review of an individual's skill level.

I'm a Paramedic in my current department.  Can I apply to be a Paramedic with the City of Madison Fire Department?  You must first become a firefighter with the Department and then complete the Department's application process for Paramedic when positions are available.  All City of Madison Fire Department Paramedics are selected (reclassification) from within the Department.

Where can I get additional questions answered?  If you have additional questions that have not been answered by the information of this website, please email us at FireRecruitment@cityofmadison.com.  

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