Fire Department
Saint Cloud Fire Department
Saint Cloud, MN · Stearns County
The St. Cloud Fire Department is a full-service, all-career organization operating five fire stations in central Minnesota. Fire Station 1, in downtown St. Cloud, serves as headquarters — housing prevention, administration, training and education, and apparatus maintenance, plus three full-time response units. Crews staff all stations 24/7 for consistent, high-quality response citywide.
Beyond fire suppression and emergency medical services, the department provides hazardous-materials response through a Type I Haz-Mat Team, and its Chemical Assessment and Emergency Response teams cover eleven counties in central Minnesota. Additional capabilities include airport rescue and firefighting, confined-space rescue, extrication and complex rescue, ice and water rescue, high-angle rope rescue, fire inspection and plan review, and public fire education. It is led by Fire Chief Matthew Love.
The all-career department staffs five stations 24/7 and hires firefighters and specialized roles such as a Fire Data Analyst and Technology Specialist.
Hiring process
- Apply when a job is posted (the city hires through a civil service system)
- Applications are reviewed for minimum qualifications
- Complete the exam process (may include an education/experience review, written exam, interview, and performance exam)
- Pass all exams to be placed on an eligible list — the top three names are considered for each vacancy; veterans may qualify for preference points
How large is the St. Cloud Fire Department?
A full-service, all-career department operating five fire stations staffed 24/7, headquartered downtown at Fire Station 1.
Does the department handle hazardous materials?
Yes — a Type I Haz-Mat Team, whose Chemical Assessment and Emergency Response teams provide primary coverage for eleven counties in central Minnesota.
What technical rescue services does it offer?
Airport rescue firefighting, confined-space rescue, high-angle rope rescue, ice and water rescue, and vehicle extrication, among others.