IA Department's FF Search Starts Before Vacancies

The Burlington Fire Department is looking for qualified firefighters to join its ranks.

"We have the potential of having two or three openings in the next year," said Burlington Fire Chief Matt Trexel.

Trexel said the fire department cannot wait until there are openings to begin looking for candidates as the process to get candidates qualified to be hired is lengthy. So instead, department officials set up several dates for testing to ensure a pool of candidates are ready for when someone leaves their job.

In Burlington, firefighters also serve as emergency medical technicians, and as such new firefighters must already be EMT-certified. Within three years of being hired, applicants will be required to obtain their paramedic certification. Those who already are licensed paramedics are encouraged to apply and will receive an additional $150 per pay period.

The department is hoping to get applicants who are already certified firefighters, but all applicants will be required to be certified as a firefighter level 2 by the end of their first year. Those already certified as Firefighter 1 could receive up to an additional $2.63 per hour.

All applicants will be required to pass the civil service test. The test has two portions, a physical test and written exam. The physical test will be given on each of the first three Saturdays in October, as well as the third Friday in October. The written exam will only be given on the third Saturday in October.

In order to be eligible for the job, applicants must live within 10 miles of the Burlington city limits. Applicants also must be 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.

Applicants can apply online a burlingtoniowa.com.

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