Fire Fighter Application Process

Do You Want to Be an Elgin Fire Fighter?

The Fire Service is an exciting career providing many opportunities to learn and serve the community.

The Elgin Fire Department is a recognized leader in all-hazards emergency response and preparedness protecting a diverse population of 112,000 people. The Department is the 8^th largest department in the State of Illinois and has set the standard for training and performance.

The Elgin Fire Department responds to approximately 14,000 calls for assistance each year. These members respond from seven stations that are strategically placed throughout the 38.8 square miles protected by the Fire Department. In addition to the daily emergency responses, the 133 members of the Department participate in fire prevention, community engagement and public education activities. Members of the organization also participate on regional and State response teams in Technical Rescue, Water Rescue, Hazardous Materials, Fire Investigation and Incident Management.

Testing Preparation

• Entrance exams are administered by Public Safety Answers.
• Public Safety Answers offers an interview study guide: PSA Resources

Entering the fire service requires some work in advance; the information below will help you get ready.

• Firefighter Candidates must be aged 21 to 35 by the application closing date, unless: Previous employment as a fulltime firefighter in a municipality or Fire Protection District. Candidate may be older than 35 years if they have served in the military while at the age of 35 with an honorable discharge and is no older than 40 years old by the application closing date.
• Candidates must be 21 years old by the application closing date, unless: May be 19 years or older by the application closing date and have not less than 3 years participation in the Elgin Fire Explorer Program or Elgin Police Explorer Program and 100 hours of volunteer time in the Elgin Fire Explorer Program or Elgin Police Explorer Program.  You may be placed on the eligibility list, but shall not be appointed until you have reached the age of 21.
• Candidates must be citizens of the United States or a non-citizen admitted for permanent residence or lawfully admitted for temporary residence who can produce evidence of intention to become a citizen of the United States.

Educational and other requirements:

• High School diploma or GED
• Valid Driver's License

AND

• You must have your EMT-Basic or EMT-Paramedic license by DATE OF HIRE. 
  • These certifications are available through:
    • Elgin Community College

Preference Points:

Awarding of preference points is done after the final stage of the process for original appointment for the following reasons; provided, however, that a maximum number of twenty (20) points may be awarded to any person during the appointment process.

• Five (5) additional points will be given on the eligibility list to those candidates that have completed a minimum of two (2) years at the Elgin Fire Explorer Program
• Five (5) additional points will be given for a four (4) year degree from an accredited college/university
• Three (3) additional points will be given for 60 credit hours or more of college credit from an accredited college/university
• Three (3) additional points will be given on the eligibility list for being a resident within the geographic boundaries of the City of Elgin for a period of not less than one (1) year prior to the awarding of points.
• Five (5) additional points will be given on the eligibility list to those candidates who have 1 or more years of active duty military experience with an honorable discharge as provided in 65 ILCS 5/10-2.1-6.3(h)(1).
• Up to five (5) additional points will be given on the eligibility list to those candidates who have served as a Basic Operations Firefighter (Firefighter II), Advanced Technician Firefighter (Firefighter III), or licensed paramedic for a municipality or fire protection district, based on the requirements set forth in 65 ILCS 5/10-2.1-6.3

What you’ll need to provide when you apply:

• A copy of your driver’s license
• A copy of your birth certificate/naturalization papers
• A copy of your High School Diploma or GED
• A copy of your Military Separation Papers (DD214), if applicable
• A copy of a valid CPAT test card, dated between April 15. 2021 and June 1, 2022.
• An online application submitted through our website - set up your application now

View Frequently Asked Questions