The Elkhorn Area Fire Department provides fire suppression and emergency medical services to the City of Elkhorn and the neighboring Towns of Geneva, Lafayette, and Sugar Creek in Walworth County, Wisconsin. Together these communities make up what the department describes as the largest municipal fire response area in the county.

The department runs a busy, EMS-heavy operation, answering roughly 2,500 EMS calls and 735 fire calls a year across an area of about 100 square miles and roughly 25,000 residents.

Career firefighters work a 24-hours-on / 48-hours-off rotation, and the department staffs at both EMT and paramedic levels, transporting patients as part of its EMS mission. Recent hiring has emphasized bringing on service-driven professionals who hold Wisconsin firefighter and EMS certifications.

How to get hired

Elkhorn hires full-time Firefighter/EMTs and Firefighter/Paramedics through the City of Elkhorn's job portal on governmentjobs.com. Candidates must already hold Wisconsin Firefighter I certification and an EMS license (EMT-Basic or higher for the EMT role, paramedic for the medic role), along with hazardous-materials operations training and a valid Wisconsin driver's license.

The selection process runs through the city's Police and Fire Commission: applicants take a written exam and physical agility test, and those who pass are invited to interview. Candidates who advance complete a background investigation and a final interview with the Police and Fire Commission before an offer.

Pay$59,958–$82,234

Schedule24/48

Requirements

High school diploma or GED (Associate degree in Fire Science preferred)
Valid Wisconsin driver's license
Wisconsin Firefighter I certification
Hazardous Materials Operations (HAZO) certification
EMT-Basic or higher (paramedic certification required for Firefighter/Paramedic role)
Ability to meet NFPA 1582 medical standards

Hiring process

Submit application via the City of Elkhorn governmentjobs.com portal
Written examination and physical agility test
Interview
Background investigation
Final interview with the Police and Fire Commission

Benefits

Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension plus a 457(b) deferred compensation plan
Premium-free employee medical and dental coverage (family plans available at low cost); vision available
Paid time off accruing up to 204 hours in the first year, with 75% of unused hours rolling over annually
10 paid holidays
Life insurance with additional coverage options

Leadership & hiring contacts

Trent Eichmann

Fire Chief

Frequently asked questions

What certifications do I need to be hired as a firefighter in Elkhorn?

You must hold Wisconsin Firefighter I certification, Hazardous Materials Operations (HAZO) certification, and an EMS license (EMT-Basic or higher for the Firefighter/EMT role, or paramedic certification for the Firefighter/Paramedic role), plus a valid Wisconsin driver's license.

What is the work schedule?

Career firefighters work a 24-hours-on / 48-hours-off rotation, averaging about 56 hours per week.

How much does the job pay?

Recent postings listed roughly $59,958-$61,564 for Firefighter/EMT and $61,152-$82,234.88 for Firefighter/Paramedic. Actual earnings are typically higher because of overtime opportunities.

What is the hiring process?

Applicants take a written exam and physical agility test, then interview. Those who advance complete a background investigation and a final interview with the Police and Fire Commission before being hired.

How do I apply?

Applications are submitted online through the City of Elkhorn's job portal at governmentjobs.com/careers/elkhornwi. For questions you can contact the fire department at (262) 723-2277.

What kind of calls does the department handle?

It's an EMS-heavy department, running about 2,500 EMS calls and 735 fire calls a year across roughly 100 square miles and 25,000 residents in the Elkhorn area.