Fire Department · Career
Manhattan Fire Department
Manhattan, KS · Riley County
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Department careers page ↗Manhattan Fire Department has served the city of Manhattan, Kansas since 1892, guided by a mission to preserve life and property through intervention, prevention, and education, and by four core values: Honor, Compassion, Courage, and Loyalty. The department is organized into three divisions -- Administration, Operations, and Risk Reduction -- and operates five fire stations across the city, from the Denison Avenue headquarters to stations serving the Poyntz Avenue, Amherst Avenue, S Airport Road, and Vanesta Drive areas.
Firefighters work 24-hour shifts on a roughly ten-shifts-a-month schedule, responding to structure fires, medical emergencies, and other calls in conditions that can reach 400 degrees Fahrenheit while wearing 50+ pounds of turnout gear. The department's Risk Reduction division handles fire prevention, alarm-permit administration, and community engagement, including public education programs and fire truck visits for local schools and groups.
MissionThe mission of the Manhattan Fire Department is to be dedicated to helping others and to preserve life and property by being well trained in intervention, prevention and education.
Manhattan Fire Department hires full-time career firefighters through a competitive process built around EMT certification, physical fitness testing, and a thorough background review. The department also runs a Student Firefighter program open to full-time students at Kansas State University, Manhattan Christian College, or Manhattan Area Technical College. As of this writing, general firefighter hiring is closed while the Student Firefighter program is accepting applications; check the department's hiring page for current openings.
Requirements
- At least 18 years of age prior to appointment
- U.S. citizen or legal resident alien
- Valid driver's license without a record of at-fault accidents/violations
- Kansas Certified EMT or National Registry EMT within one year of hire (Kansas certification required within 60 days for NREMT holders)
- Passed FireTEAM Ergometric test through National Testing Network (NTN) within two years of the application deadline, unless exempted by a bachelor's degree
- Valid CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) certificate within one year of the application deadline
- No felony conviction directly related to firefighting (e.g., arson, burglary, larceny, murder)
- No pattern of misdemeanor convictions indicating habitual disrespect for the law
- Must reside within the Fire Department's residency area within 90 days of employment
Hiring process
- Submit a complete, honest application with required release forms
- Criminal background and reference investigation
- Physical performance assessment (CPAT)
- FireTEAM Ergometric test via National Testing Network
- Oral interview(s)
- Drug screen
- Medical examination
- Written exam
Benefits
Vacation leave, sick leave, holiday pay for worked holidays, emergency leave, uniforms and protective equipment provided, retirement plan, and available health and life insurance.
How do I become a firefighter with Manhattan Fire Department?
Applicants must be at least 18, hold or be working toward Kansas EMT certification, pass the FireTEAM Ergometric test through the National Testing Network, hold a valid CPAT certificate, and pass a background check, oral interview, drug screen, medical exam, and written exam.
What are the requirements to be a firefighter in Manhattan, KS?
Requirements include being 18 or older, a U.S. citizen or legal resident alien, holding a valid driver's license, obtaining Kansas EMT or National Registry EMT certification within one year of hire, passing the FireTEAM Ergometric and CPAT tests, and having no felony convictions related to firefighting.
Does Manhattan Fire Department have a student firefighter program?
Yes. The Student Firefighter program is open to full-time students at Kansas State University, Manhattan Christian College, or Manhattan Area Technical College who meet the same age, citizenship, and background requirements as regular applicants.
Is Manhattan Fire Department currently hiring firefighters?
General firefighter hiring status changes periodically; check the department's Firefighter Hiring Information page for current openings. The Student Firefighter program has been accepting applications separately.
What benefits does Manhattan Fire Department offer?
Firefighters receive vacation and sick leave, holiday pay, emergency leave, uniforms and protective equipment, a retirement plan, and available health and life insurance.