Firefighter

This is general duty firefighting work in combating, extinguishing, and preventing fire, providing first response emergency medical service, and operating and maintaining related equipment. Work involves training for and participating in duties related to the protection of life and property by fire fighting, rescue, and fire prevention activities. The Decatur Fire Department operates on a three battalion schedule. Each battalion works a 24-hour duty shift (from 6:40 a.m. to 6:40 a.m.) followed by 48 hours off-duty.

Assignments include hazardous tasks performed under emergency conditions, frequently requiring strenuous exertion. Duties include drill and study of fire prevention and fire combating work principles and practices, fire apparatus and mobile equipment operations and emergency medical care.  Duties also include routine equipment and quarters maintenance at an assigned fire station.  Fire combating work is performed in accordance with established rules and regulations.

To be eligible to take part in the examination process for firefighter, applicants must possess the following qualifications:

• U. S. Citizenship at time of application
• High School graduate or GED equivalent.
• Applicants must have no felony convictions. Persons with a record of misdemeanor convictions may be disqualified from taking the examinations as set forth in 65 ILCS 5/ Article 10-1-7.1(c).
• Minimum age of 21 years old on the date of the written examination 
• Maximum age of 34 years old (unless candidate meets the exemption listed under 65 ILCS 5/10-1-7) on the date of the written examination

• Maximum age is 34 unless applicant meets one of the exemptions under the Illinois Municipal Code 65 ILCS 5/10-1-7.1(c): No person who is 35 years of age or older shall be eligible to take an examination for a position as a firefighter unless the person has had previous employment status as a firefighter in the regularly constituted fire department of the municipality, except as provided in this Section. The age limitation does not apply to (1) any person previously employed as a full-time firefighter in a regularly constituted fire department of (i) any municipality or fire protection district located in Illinois, (ii) a fire protection district  whose obligations were assumed by a municipality under Section 21 of the Fire Protection District Act, or (iii) a municipality whose obligations were taken over by a fire protection district, or
• any person who has served a municipality as a  regularly enrolled volunteer, paid on call, or part-time firefighter for the 5 years immediately preceding the time that the municipality begins to use fulltime firefighters to provide all or part of its fire protection service.
• Any person who turned 35 while serving as a member of the active or reserve components of any of the branches of the Armed Forces of the United States or National Guard of any state, whose services was characterized as honorable or under honorable, if  separated from the military, and is currently under the age of 40. 

PRE-EMPLOYMENT ASSESSMENT PROCESS

 The pre-employment assessment process will consist of the following:

1. Review of Qualifications:  Applications will be evaluated upon receipt by the Human Resources staff.  Applicants not meeting the minimum qualifications as outlined in this Notice will not be allowed to continue in the examination process.
2. Written Test:  The written test will be given the week of May 18, 2026, in the first floor meeting room at the Decatur Civic Center, #1 Gary K. Anderson Plaza, Decatur, IL.  Doors will open 30 minutes prior to each session, and the test is expected to take approximately three hours to complete.  Candidates will be required to present a photo ID (e.g. driver's license, school ID, etc.) to be admitted into the testing room.  The written exam is the National Firefighter Selection Inventory (NFSI) and consists of two components. There is a cognitive component and a behavioral component.  No prior training or experience in the job of firefighter is assumed of candidates taking this test. Candidates may choose to purchase a study guide and take a practice test to prepare for the exam by visiting the website of Industrial/Organizational Solutions at  www.iosolutions.com. The minimum passing score for the written test will be 70.00%. Candidates who pass the written test will be placed on the preliminary eligible register. The written score will be weighted at 50%. Only those who receive a passing score on the written exam will be permitted to advance to the oral interview.
3. Physical Abilities Test:  Applicants are required to have a valid Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) card, including confirmation of the successful completion of the Ladder Climb test, issued within the last 12 months before the deadline which is June 2, 2026. Candidates who already have these certifications should attach a copy to their application.  It is strongly encouraged that candidates begin the CPAT and Ladder Climb process as soon as possible.   

CPAT and Ladder Climb tests are given by the Central Illinois Fire Chiefs (CIFC) facility located in Decatur.  For registration and information about dates and fees, contact CIFC at www.centralillinoisfirechiefs.com. The CPAT consists of eight critical physical tasks that simulate actual job duties on the fire ground.  The CPAT requires fire fighter candidates to successfully complete the following activities:

• Stair Climb
• Hose Drag
• Equipment Carry
• Ladder Raise & Extension
• Forcible Entry
• Search
• Rescue
• Ceiling Breach & Pull

 A.         Veterans' Preference – 5 points

To qualify for veterans' points, candidates must have been engaged in the military service of the United States for a period of at least one year of active duty and were honorable discharged therefrom, or who are now or have been members on inactive or reserve duty in such military or naval service.

B.         Residency Preference – 5 points

To qualify for Decatur Residency Preference, as of the date of the written examination, candidates must have lived within the defined corporate limits of the City of Decatur for a minimum of 12 months.

C.         Firefighter Experience Preference – 3 points maximum

To qualify for Firefighter Experience Preference, candidates must have been either a paid full-time firefighter (3 points) or volunteer firefighter (1 point) for at least one year. A candidate may not receive the full amount of preference points under this subsection if the amount of points awarded would place the candidate before a veteran on the eligibility list. If more than one candidate receiving experience preference points is prevented from receiving all of their points due to not being allowed to pass a veteran, the candidates shall be placed on the list below the veteran in rank order based on the totals received if all points under this subsection were to be awarded. Any remaining ties on the list shall be determined by lot.

D.         EMT Certification Preference – 5 points maximum

To qualify for EMT Preference, candidates must be an EMT-P (5 points), EMT-I or A-EMT (4 points) or EMT-B (3 points).

 E.         Education Preference – 3 points

 To qualify for Education Preference, candidates must have an Associate's degree or at least 60 hours of coursework in a fire science or emergency medical services related field.

• Background Check After the establishment of a final eligibility list, candidates are subject to a background investigation, which includes, among other things, a review of the applicant’s moral character, criminal background history and employment history. This includes fingerprinting.

• Medical and Psychological Examination
  Candidates shall undergo a physical and psychological examination in order to determine whether they can perform the essential functions of a firefighter, with or without reasonable accommodation. The physical examination includes a drug test. Such examinations shall be administered after a conditional offer has been made to the candidate.