Fire Department · Career
Chicago Fire Department
Chicago, IL · Cook County
Second largest fire department in the U.S.
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗The Chicago Fire Department (CFD) protects the City of Chicago, promoting fire safety, providing emergency medical care, and extinguishing fires. The department describes itself as the largest fire department in the Midwest and one of the largest in the United States, and its own leadership pages call it the country's second-largest fire department.
CFD is also among the oldest major organized fire departments in the nation, with roots the department traces to before 1833. It serves one of America's largest urban populations across the city's neighborhoods.
Emergency medical service is a core part of the department's work: alongside firefighters, CFD staffs licensed Fire Paramedics who provide emergency care and ambulance transport throughout the city.
The department is led by a Fire Commissioner and organized into bureaus and divisions covering Operations, Fire Prevention, Administrative Services, Employee Relations, and the Office of Fire Investigation.
Hiring for CFD is run by the City of Chicago Department of Human Resources, which periodically holds entrance examinations for Firefighter/EMT positions and accepts applications for Fire Paramedics. Because openings are episodic, the department encourages interested candidates to sign up for email alerts so they are notified when applications are posted.
Firefighter/EMT candidates must pass a written entrance exam and the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT); Fire Paramedic candidates must already hold (or have pending) an Illinois Paramedic license. All hires must establish residency within Chicago city limits by date of hire and pass pre-employment screening including a background investigation, drug test, and medical exam.
Requirements
- Firefighter/EMT: at least 18 years old by the date of the written examination
- Firefighter/EMT: cannot be appointed after age 37
- Firefighter/EMT: high school diploma or GED by the date of the written examination
- Firefighter/EMT: proof of passing the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) within the last 12 months by date of hire
- Fire Paramedic: current valid State of Illinois Paramedic/EMT-Paramedic license (or pending IDPH license) at time of processing
- Fire Paramedic: pass the Paramedic Physical Ability Test
- Valid U.S. driver's license
- Establish residency within Chicago city limits by date of hire
- Pass pre-employment screening: background investigation with fingerprinting, drug test, and medical screening
Hiring process
- Review CFD job requirements and sign up for email alerts on the Join CFD page
- Apply when the Department of Human Resources posts a Firefighter/EMT exam or Fire Paramedic application
- Firefighter/EMT candidates take the written entrance examination
- Pass the applicable physical ability test (CPAT for Firefighter/EMT; Paramedic Physical Ability Test for Fire Paramedic)
- Establish Chicago residency by date of hire
- Pass pre-employment screening: background investigation with fingerprinting, drug test, and medical screening
Benefits
Starting salary is supplemented by eligibility for Holiday Pay, Duty Availability Pay, Specialty Pay, and a Uniform Allowance.
New members complete training at the Chicago Fire Academy.
How do I apply to become a Chicago firefighter or paramedic?
Hiring is handled by the City of Chicago Department of Human Resources, which periodically posts Firefighter/EMT entrance exams and Fire Paramedic applications. Sign up for email alerts on the Join CFD page to be notified when applications open.
What are the basic requirements for Firefighter/EMT?
You must be at least 18 by the written exam date (and cannot be appointed after age 37), hold a high school diploma or GED, pass the CPAT within 12 months, hold a valid U.S. driver's license, establish Chicago residency by hire, and pass background, drug, and medical screening.
What do I need to be hired as a Fire Paramedic?
At the time of processing you must hold a current, valid State of Illinois Paramedic/EMT-Paramedic license (or a pending IDPH license) and a valid U.S. driver's license. You must also pass the Paramedic Physical Ability Test, establish Chicago residency by hire, and clear pre-employment screening.
How much do Chicago firefighters and paramedics earn?
As of January 1, 2026, the starting salary for both Firefighter/EMT and Fire Paramedic is $74,626 per year, with additional eligibility for Holiday Pay, Duty Availability Pay, Specialty Pay, and a Uniform Allowance.
Do I have to live in Chicago?
Yes. All candidates must establish residency within the Chicago city limits by their date of hire.
Where does training take place?
New members prepare for and attend the Chicago Fire Academy as part of the hiring and onboarding process.