Fire Department · Career
Wilmington Fire Department
Wilmington, DE · New Castle County
Six engine companies, two ladder companies, and a marine firefighting force, organized under Operations and Administrative Divisions.
No active openings right now
Watch this department to be notified when Wilmington Fire Department is hiring, or check their careers page.
Department careers page ↗Wilmington Fire Department is a career, professional department founded in 1921 to protect the City of Wilmington, Delaware's largest city and the seat of New Castle County. The department is organized into an Operations Division and an Administrative Division, each led by a Deputy Chief, and fields six engine companies, two ladder companies, and a marine firefighting force to cover the city's dense downtown, riverfront industrial areas, and residential neighborhoods.
Beyond fire suppression, WFD runs a Fire Prevention Division through the Fire Marshal's Office, a Customer Satisfaction Survey program to track service quality, and community outreach including a ride-along program that lets residents see the job firsthand and a Fire/Emergency Services Explorer Post for young people considering the fire service as a career.
MissionTo work in partnership with the citizens of Wilmington in an effort to provide an effective and professional response to all man-made or natural hazards with well-trained emergency services personnel to provide a safe environment and enhanced quality of life for all.
Wilmington Fire Department hires firefighters through periodic Recruit Academy classes rather than year-round rolling hiring. Applications open publicly when a class is announced; between cycles, candidates can submit an interest card to be notified when the next academy opens. New hires serve a 12-month probationary period as a Probationary Firefighter and must earn Firefighter I & II and EMT certifications during that time.
Requirements
- 18 years of age or older
- High school diploma or GED
- U.S. citizen
- Valid driver's license
- Good moral character
- Applicants with prior military service must provide a DD214
- Must pass the department's physical agility test
Benefits
Dental and health coverage for employee and family, vision plan, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, a Mass Mutual retirement savings plan, and the State of Delaware Municipal Police/Firefighters Pension Plan after 20 years of service.
How do I become a firefighter with the Wilmington Fire Department?
Applications are accepted when the department opens a Recruit Academy class through wilmingtondefirecareers.com. When no academy is open, candidates can submit an interest card on the site to be notified the next time hiring opens.
What are the requirements to apply to Wilmington Fire Department?
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or GED, be a U.S. citizen with a valid driver's license and good moral character, and pass the department's physical agility test. Applicants with prior military service must submit a DD214.
What does a new Wilmington firefighter get paid?
As of the most recent posted academy, Probationary Firefighter starting pay was $55,289.46, increasing to $59,515.98 after completing the one-year probationary period, with additional step increases at each subsequent rank.
Is Wilmington Fire Department hiring right now?
The department hires in periodic Recruit Academy classes rather than continuously. Check wilmingtondefirecareers.com for the current status or to join the interest list for the next academy.
What stations and apparatus does Wilmington Fire Department operate?
The department, established in 1921, operates six engine companies, two ladder companies, and a marine firefighting force covering the City of Wilmington, Delaware.