Fire Department · Combination
North Platte Fire Department
North Platte, NE · Lincoln County
The North Platte Fire Department has served west-central Nebraska since 1887. It staffs three strategically located stations around the clock, providing fire suppression, advanced life support emergency medical services, hazardous materials technician-level response, and technical rescue.
The department is built around roughly 39 paid shift personnel, with as many as 21 ALS paramedics, supplemented by several volunteers and an administrative team that includes the Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, Fire Marshal, and Deputy Fire Marshal.
North Platte is a city of about 24,000 people, and the department's reach extends across Lincoln County, home to roughly 35,000 residents spread over some 2,575 square miles. The department holds a Class 2 ISO rating (2017), a mark earned by fewer than 3 percent of departments nationwide.
MissionFire suppression, advanced life support emergency medical services, hazardous materials technician level response, and technical rescue services
The department recruits Firefighter/EMTs and Firefighter/Paramedics. Applications are accepted online year-round through the City of North Platte's employment portal, and the department contacts applicants when entry-level testing is scheduled. Testing is conducted every odd-numbered year in June, so candidates are encouraged to keep their application current and watch the city website and the North Platte Fire Department Facebook page for announced dates.
Pay and benefits are governed by the IAFF Local 831 union contract. Successful candidates complete a six-month probationary period after hire.
Requirements
- At least 21 years of age
- High school graduate or equivalent
- Valid driver's license
- State of Nebraska or National Registry EMT license at or within 6 months of hire date (Paramedic certification for the paramedic track)
- No felony convictions and no drug-related convictions
- No illegal drug use within the past two years
- Limited DUI history (maximum one conviction, none in the past three years)
Hiring process
- Submit application by the published deadline
- Written examination (minimum passing score 70%)
- Physical agility test (pass/fail, timed events; one retry allowed after a 30-minute rest)
- Background investigation (driving record, criminal history, references, employment verification, medical history)
- Interview with a five-member Fire Department officer board, then the Civil Service Commission
- Physical examination and drug testing before employment
- Complete a six-month probationary period
Benefits
Pay and benefits are set by the IAFF Local 831 union contract.
What are the basic requirements to become a North Platte firefighter?
You must be at least 21, a high school graduate or equivalent, hold a valid driver's license, and have (or obtain within six months of hire) a Nebraska or National Registry EMT license. Applicants must have a clean record: no felony or drug convictions, no illegal drug use in the past two years, and limited DUI history.
How do I apply?
Applications are submitted online year-round through the City of North Platte's employment portal. Keep your contact information current, because the department reaches out to applicants when entry-level testing is scheduled.
When is testing held?
Entry-level testing is conducted every odd-numbered year in June. Deadlines are advertised in advance, so watch the city website and the North Platte Fire Department Facebook page for dates.
What does the hiring process involve?
After the application deadline, candidates take a written exam (70% to pass) and a pass/fail physical agility test, then go through a background investigation, interviews with a Fire Department officer board and the Civil Service Commission, and a pre-employment physical and drug test.
What is the work schedule?
Firefighters work three rotating shifts (A-B-C) on a 24-hours-on, 24-hours-off cycle for five shifts followed by six days off, averaging a 56-hour work week.
Do I need to be a paramedic to apply?
No. The department hires both Firefighter/EMTs and Firefighter/Paramedics. An EMT license (state or National Registry) is required at or within six months of hire; paramedic certification is needed only for the paramedic track.