How to Become a Firefighter

In order to become a firefighter with the Northeast Ambulance & Fire Protection District, you must do the following:

1. have a diploma or high school equivalent

2. be at least 21 years of age

3. apply for the position (applications are accepted only when there is an opening)

4. pass the written exam

5. pass the physical agility test

6. pass a pre-employment drug screen

7. pass a pre-employment physical

8. complete the firefighter training required in the St. Louis County Fire Academy within six months of employment

9. pass the State Firefighter 1 & 2 Exams after graduation from the Fire Academy

10. obtain and maintain certification as an EMT, within one year of employment

11. obtain and maintain certification as a Paramedic, within two and a half years of employment

12. satisfactorily complete probationary employment with the fire district

Positions on the Northeast Ambulance & Fire Protection District are filled by the Board of Directors of the Fire District. The Fire District is not affiliated with nor governed by the City of Normandy. The Northeast Ambulance & Fire Protection District does its own hiring, through its Board of Directors. The Fire Chief handles the application and examination process. The position of full-time, probationary Fire Private usually comes up about every two to three years. Part-time positions for fully qualified, trained and certified EMT/Paramedics are also available.

Once your application is accepted, you will receive information on taking the written examination. This is very competitive, with numerous applicants vying for the positions.

If you successfully pass the written exam, you will be given information on the Physical Agility Test. Only the applicants who passed the written exam will be allowed to take the physical exam.

If you successfully pass the physical exam, you will be placed on a hiring list without any ranking. The Board reserves the right to hire anyone off the list as well as experienced and fully qualified, trained and certified Firefighters and/or EMT/Paramedics without examination and with waiver of one or more of the above requirements.

If you are hired, then you will have to complete steps 6 through 12 listed above. On average, only a single applicant will be hired off the list, so it may take several years before you are actually hired.

You may want to consider taking classes to become an EMT or a Paramedic and to obtain state certification pending opening of the application process. These jobs with the Northeast Ambulance & Fire Protection District and other Fire Districts and Departments are always in high demand, and part-time positions are available for fully qualified EMT/Paramedics with the district. You can be certified as an EMT as young as 18 years of age, but you would have to be at least 21 to be certified as a Paramedic. Finally, you may also complete Firefigher training at the St. Louis County Fire Academy and become certified by the state prior to being employed. Going this route may increase your chances of being hired if you pass the exams.

Career Opportunities

Firefighter-EMT/Paramedics

Starting Salary: $60,000

Minimum Qualifications

Age: 21

Education: High School graduate or equivalent.

License: Valid driver’s license

A career in the fire service is both challenging and rewarding. Fire suppression is only one of a wide variety of duties performed by firefighters. In fact, approximately 75% of all fire department’s responses are to emergency medical calls. Other typical assignments may include fire education, commercial building fire inspections, community outreach, training, and equipment maintenance. When fighting fires, work apparel and equipment weighing approximately 45 pounds are worn. A significant amount of time is spent inspecting, cleaning, and maintaining this equipment and training in its use. A firefighter is usually a member of a four member team that lives and works together in close quarters throughout a shift. Living at the fire house entails house keeping, cooking, and equipment maintenance. Teams may be diverse by gender and ethnicity and each member is heavily dependent on fellow members to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Fire fighting is twenty-four hour work done in shifts that vary. Calls for assistance can and do come at any hour. A typical firefighter works a 24-hour shift with 24-hours off-duty in between shifts.

Firefighter-Private

Nature of Work

Firefighting in today's society is both challenging and exciting. Modern fire and rescue services offer a diverse array of technical and emergency response capabilities which make up a highly rewarding community service career. In addition to being highly trained fire and rescue personnel, many of our firefighters are also EMT’s and/or Paramedics.

Additional Minimum Qualifications

A current certification as a Firefighter I and II within six months after initial employment

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)/Paramedic

EMT

Nature of Work

This is work assisting in the administration of emergency medical care and transportation of critically ill or injured patients. Emergency Medical Technicians serve as team members while responding to a variety of medical and public safety situations.

Additional Minimum Qualifications

A current Missouri Emergency Medical Technician License (EMT-B) at time of appointment

Paramedic

Nature of Work

This is responsible, technical work in administering complex emergency medical care to critically ill or injured patients prior to or while being transported in an advanced life support vehicle.

Additional Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must possess the following: A current EMT-P License, and a Missouri EMT-P License; current certification in ACLS, at time of appointment.