Recruitment

Becoming a Firefighter 

The Evanston Fire Department is committed to maintaining a diverse and highly qualified workforce. Our structured approach to professional development begins with recruit training and continues throughout an employee’s career. This combination of training and hands-on experience allows firefighters to advance into a variety of assignments and ranks within the department, including Firefighter/Paramedic, Hazardous Material Technician, Special Rescue Specialist, Water Rescue, Fire Inspector/Investigator, and Fire Officer.

Applicants must be able to respond quickly and calmly in emergencies, make sound decisions under pressure, build positive relationships with the public, and deliver fire protection, prevention, and safety services. Firefighters respond to fires, explosions, accidents, hazardous material incidents, and medical emergencies. Duties include, but are not limited to, firefighting, operating and maintaining equipment and facilities, conducting inspections, performing minor repairs, carrying out investigations, and providing community education.

Duties & Responsibilities

You must be able to react quickly and calmly in emergencies, make effective decisions under stress, establish working relationships with the public, and provide fire protection, prevention, and safety services. You will respond to all fires, explosions, accidents, hazardous material incidents, and medical emergencies. In addition to responding to emergency & non-emergency calls, the job also entails maintenance of equipment and grounds, inspections, making minor repairs, and investigations as well as education.

As a condition of employment with the Evanston Fire Department, you must obtain the following certifications:

• State of Illinois Firefighter II Certification
• Paramedic License (2 years)
• Hazardous Material Operations Certification
• A minimum Class A - Non CDL drivers license

Training and Development

Evanston Fire & Life Safety Services is committed to being a diversified and well-qualified workforce. In Evanston, a systematic approach to job enrichment begins with recruit training, and it continues throughout an employee’s career. Training and experience enable a firefighter to progress into various assignments and ranks within the department, which include:

• Firefighter/Paramedic
• Hazardous Material Technician
• Special Rescue Specialist
• Water Rescue
• Fire Inspector/Investigator
• Fire Officer