Fire Department · Career
Niles Fire Department
Niles, IL · Cook County
“Fire Protection Since 1912, EMS Service Since 1946”
Niles Fire Department offers a competitive salary range of $80,587–$116,229 annually with benefits like floaters and health insurance. Apply by July 31, 2026.
The Niles Fire Department (NFD) protects the Village of Niles, Illinois, a northern Chicago suburb, providing fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazardous-materials response, and technical rescue. Fire protection dates to 1912 and EMS service to 1946.
The department operates around the clock from two stations, staffing two fire engines, one tower ladder, two Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances, and an incident command vehicle. In 2025 it employed 54 firefighters and answered nearly 8,000 calls for service.
NFD is a member of MABAS Division 3 (a 17-department mutual-aid network) and is dispatched through the Regional Emergency Dispatch (RED) Center covering 14 departments. Firefighters average roughly 375 hours of training annually across firefighting, EMS, and fire-officer disciplines.
Beyond emergency response, the department maintains active Community Risk Reduction and public-education programs alongside specialized HazMat, technical rescue, and fire-investigation teams.
MissionTo serve the Village of Niles by protecting life and property through effective delivery of services including fire prevention, fire suppression, hazardous material response, and emergency medical and rescue services, and by proactively reducing the risk of fire and fire-related injuries through public education, fire cause determination and code compliance.
The Niles Fire Department hires Firefighter/Paramedics from an eligibility list built through a written examination held roughly every two to three years, often as a consortium test alongside the Morton Grove and Wilmette fire departments. Candidates must also complete the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT).
The hiring process is administered by the Village's Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. Prospective applicants should contact the Director of Fire and Police Commission (847-588-8085) for testing dates, requirements, and eligibility-list status.
Requirements
- Applying for a Firefighter/Paramedic position
- Pass the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)
- Pass the written examination to be placed on the eligibility list
Hiring process
- Written examination (offered every 2-3 years, sometimes as a consortium with Morton Grove and Wilmette)
- Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)
- Placement on the Firefighter/Paramedic eligibility list
Training is conducted through the Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA).
What positions does Niles Fire Department hire for?
The department hires Firefighter/Paramedics, building an eligibility list through periodic testing.
How do I apply to become a Niles firefighter?
The department gives a written test every two to three years to build its eligibility list, sometimes as a consortium exam with the Morton Grove and Wilmette fire departments. Contact the Director of Fire and Police Commission (847-588-8085) for current testing dates.
Is a physical ability test required?
Yes. Candidates must complete the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT).
How often is the eligibility list refreshed?
The department conducts written tests roughly every two to three years to establish a new Firefighter/Paramedic eligibility list.
Who oversees firefighter hiring?
Hiring is administered by the Village's Board of Fire and Police Commissioners; the Director of Fire and Police Commission can be reached at 847-588-8085 or blm@vniles.com.
Where does Niles Fire train recruits?
Training is conducted through the Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA).