Fire Department · Career
Lafayette Fire Department
Lafayette, LA · Lafayette County
No active openings right now
Watch this department to be notified when Lafayette Fire Department is hiring, or check their careers page.
Department careers page ↗Lafayette Fire Department began in 1897 as the volunteer "Hobo Volunteer Fire Company" and has grown over more than a century into a full-time professional organization of roughly 285 employees. The department operates 14 stations — 13 responding stations plus the Central Fire Station, which houses administration and investigations — organized across five divisions.
The department serves a city of more than 135,000 people spread over about 54 square miles in south-central Louisiana. Its strong fire-protection standing is reflected in a Class 2 Public Protection rating through the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana (PIAL).
Beyond structural firefighting, Lafayette Fire fields specialized capabilities including an Urban Search and Rescue team and a Hazardous Materials team, both of which have provided regional response since 2017.
Missionsave life and property of the citizens of Lafayette
Hiring in Lafayette runs through Louisiana's municipal civil service system. Candidates first complete an online application and take the Police & Fire Civil Service Test through the Office of State Examiner (ose.louisiana.gov), needing a combined written-and-oral score of 75% or higher. After passing, applicants obtain a department application from Central Fire Station, complete physical agility testing, and interview with a panel of fire officers.
Successful candidates are placed on an eligibility roster that stays valid for 18 months, and new firefighters are selected from that roster to attend the department's roughly 22-week Firefighter Academy. For application details, contact Yolanda Andrus at 337-291-8700 or the Training Division at 337-291-5506.
Requirements
- At least 18 years old
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Valid driver's license
- Voter registration card
- Score 75% or higher on the combined written and oral Police & Fire Civil Service exam
- Louisiana Firefighter I certification (obtained through the academy)
Hiring process
- Complete an online application and take the Police & Fire Civil Service Test through the Office of State Examiner (ose.louisiana.gov)
- After achieving the required score, obtain a department application at Central Fire Station or contact Yolanda Andrus (337-291-8700)
- Pass the physical agility test (running, climbing, lifting modules)
- Interview with a panel of fire officers about work history and background
- Placement on an 18-month eligibility roster, from which candidates are selected for the Firefighter Academy
New firefighters complete approximately 22 weeks of intensive training at the department's Firefighter Academy and must hold Louisiana Firefighter I certification; training emphasizes IFSAC and NFPA standards.
What are the basic requirements to become a Lafayette firefighter?
You must be at least 18, have a high school diploma or equivalent, hold a valid driver's license and voter registration card, and score 75% or higher on the combined written and oral Police & Fire Civil Service exam.
How do I apply?
Complete an online application and take the Police & Fire Civil Service Test through the Office of State Examiner at ose.louisiana.gov. After passing, obtain a department application at Central Fire Station (300 E. Vermilion) or contact Yolanda Andrus at 337-291-8700.
What is the hiring process after the exam?
After achieving the required score you submit a department application, pass a physical agility test (running, climbing, lifting), and interview with a panel of fire officers. Successful candidates go on an 18-month eligibility roster and are selected from it for the Firefighter Academy.
What schedule do Lafayette firefighters work?
Emergency operations personnel work a "California Swing" — 24 hours on, every other day for five tours, then four days (96 hours) off — averaging about 53 hours per week, with three rotating crews providing 24/7/365 coverage.
Is there an academy, and how long is it?
Yes. New hires complete roughly 22 weeks of intensive training at the department's Firefighter Academy and must earn Louisiana Firefighter I certification; training follows IFSAC and NFPA standards.
What entry-level positions are available?
Competitive civil service openings include Firefighter, Communications Officer I, Inspector I, Investigator I, Training Officer I, Departmental Records Clerk, and Stores Clerk.