Fire Department · Career
Rockford Fire Department
Rockford, IL · Winnebago County
second-largest in Illinois
The Rockford Fire Department is the second-largest fire department in the state of Illinois, with over 300 employees made up of uniformed firefighters, civilians, and 911 Center personnel. It serves approximately 150,000 residents in Rockford and surrounding Winnebago County.
The department delivers firefighting, emergency medical, hazardous materials mitigation, extrication, water rescue, and other technical rescue services. About 230 of its firefighters are certified paramedics, giving the department a deep emergency-medical capability alongside fire suppression.
Operations are organized into Administration, Operations, Training and Fire Prevention, Logistics, and a 911 Division, with district chiefs covering A, B, and C shifts across the city.
Missionprofessionals dedicated to providing services that are innovative and progressive, ensuring the safest environment for our community
Rockford hires firefighters through a competitive testing and eligibility-list process overseen by the Board of Fire & Police Commissioners. Candidates must meet age, education, vision, and background standards before being placed on the eligibility list and, if hired, complete an 11-week training academy and a one-year probation.
Applicants can reach the department's Fire Recruiter, Bo Chaney, at 779-500-6536, and should review the Testing Information, Disqualifications, Eligibility List, and Personal Grooming & Appearance pages in the Fire Recruiting section.
Requirements
- Minimum 21 years old and no older than 35 by the application closing date
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Valid driver's license at hire; must obtain an Illinois Class B Non-CDL by the end of the 11-week training and maintain it through the one-year probation
- Correctable vision to 20/20 in each eye
- U.S. citizen or qualifying alien under 8 USC Section 1324b
- After probation, must reside in Winnebago County or within a 15-mile radius of the Public Safety Building
- No felony convictions and no convictions of certain misdemeanors
Hiring process
- Submit application before the posted closing date
- Complete testing (see the Testing Information page)
- Placement on the eligibility list
- Meet background and disqualification standards
- Complete the 11-week training academy
- Serve a one-year probation
New firefighters complete an 11-week training program and a one-year probationary period; an Illinois Class B Non-CDL must be obtained by the end of training.
What are the age requirements to become a Rockford firefighter?
Applicants must be at least 21 years old and no older than 35 by the application closing date.
What education do I need?
A high school diploma or its equivalent is required.
Is there a residency requirement?
After completing probation, firefighters must live in Winnebago County or within a 15-mile radius of the Public Safety Building.
What driver's license do I need?
A valid driver's license is required at hire, and you must obtain an Illinois Class B Non-CDL by the end of the 11-week training and keep it through the one-year probation.
How long is the training academy?
New firefighters complete an 11-week training program followed by a one-year probationary period.
Who do I contact about applying?
Fire Recruiter Bo Chaney can be reached at 779-500-6536, and details are posted in the Fire Recruiting section of the department website.