Firefighter Recruiting

Preparation Guide for the Candidate Physical Ability Test

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What It Takes To Be a Firefighter

The pre-employment assessment process will consist of the following:

1. Review of Qualifications —Applications will be evaluated upon receipt by the Human Resources staff. Applicants not meeting the minimum qualifications as outlined above will not be allowed to continue in the examination process.
2. Mandatory Orientation —All applicants are required to attend an orientation.
3. Written Test — Applicants who attend the orientation will be eligible to take the written test. No prior training or experience in the job of firefighter is assumed of candidates taking this test. The written exam consists of both a cognitive and an orientation component. The cognitive component consists of verbal comprehension, verbal expression, problem sensitivity, deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, information ordering, mathematical reasoning and numeric facility. The orientation component of the written exam includes questions measuring stress tolerance, team orientation and motivation/attitude. Applicants are required to have a composite score of at least 80.00% in order to pass the written examination.
4. Background Investigation — All applicants passing the written test will be subject to a background investigation, which may include fingerprinting, police records check, credit check and inquiries of neighbors, relatives, employers, etc. Applicants must have no felony convictions. A misdemeanor conviction record will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
5. Oral Interview — All applicants passing the written test will be eligible for an oral interview.
6. Veteran Points — Eligible veterans may receive 5 veteran preference points added to their final examination score.
7. Eligibility Register — All applicants who pass the oral interview will be placed on the eligibility register. This register is good for two years or until exhausted.
8. Physical Abilities Test — The top 50 candidates who pass the oral interview will take the Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT). This test consists of eight critical physical tasks that simulate actual job duties on the fire ground. The test requires firefighter candidates to engage in the following activities:
   • Stair Climb
   • Hose Drag
   • Equipment Carry
   • Ladder Raise & Extension
   • Forcible Entry
   • Search
   • Rescue
   • Ceiling Breach & Pull
   Candidate success is measured on a pass/fail basis. Failure to pass the CPAT will result in removal from the eligible register.
9. Selection from Eligibility Register — The Fire Chief will select individuals to serve as Fire Fighter from the eligible register
10. Physical, Psychological and Polygraph Testing - Applicants placed on the eligible register must pass a physical examination by a physician of the Commission's choice following an offer of employment. Applicants will also be subject to a drug screening, psychological evaluation and a polygraph test. Final appointment is contingent upon the passing of all of these examinations, as well as the background investigation.

Firefighter Qualifications

To be eligible to take part in the examination process for firefighter, applicants must possess the following qualifications:

1. Applicants at the time of examination, must not be less than 21 years of age or over 34 years of age; provided, however, that in cases where an applicant has had special training or experience in fire related work, the Commission may, at its discretion, accept applicants 35 years of age or older with one year of increased age allowed for each year of training or experience. The maximum of such age allowance shall be 4 years;
2. Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent;
3. Applicants must have no felony convictions.

At time of appointment, a Fire Fighter must have the ability to obtain a valid Class "B (non-CDL)" Illinois driver's license. Applicants should possess sufficient physical strength and agility sufficient to perform strenuous work under adverse conditions, be able to climb ladders and work at considerable heights and be able to think and act quickly in emergency situations.

Firefighter Pay & Benefits

The annual salary for a firefighter begins at $47,105 with growth potential to $60,113. Benefits include the following:

• Paid training.
• 5 vacation days after one year of service; 7 vacation days after 7 years of service; 10 vacation days after 14 years of service; and 11 vacation days after 20 years of service.
• 1 paid holiday per year and an additional 72 hours pay annually.
• 24 hours per month sick leave granted, accumulative to 5,760 hours.
• Excellent pension benefits; retirement at half-pay possible at age 50 with 20 years of service.
• The City contributes to the Fire Fighters’ Pension Fund. Firefighters also contribute at the rate of 9.455% of base pay, but do not contribute to Social Security. Employee contributions are refundable if employment ends before retirement.
• Longevity pay after five years of service; and uniforms provided by the City.
• The City offers Preferred Provider Option (PPO) health insurance coverage administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois for employees and their dependents. The employee’s portion is paid by the City.
• Dental insurance is available.
• Deferred compensation is available.
• Funeral and emergency leave.
• College tuition reimbursement program.
• Can live within 40 miles from corporate limits of Decatur.

How to Prepare

Obtaining employment with the Decatur Fire Department is a rewarding career and as a result the number of applicants far exceeds the number of positions. Although there are no guaranteed ways of earning a position, there are ways than an interested candidate an prepare themselves to become a better candidate for employment.

1. Education: While very few colleges offer Bachelor’s Degrees in fire related fields, earning a college degree (even in an unrelated field) will improve your chances of employment. Earning a degree demonstrates your ability to learn and proves that you have the discipline to begin and complete a task. Many community colleges offer two-year degrees in fire service related fields that will benefit you in the same way as a bachelors degree, but also shows that you have a directed interested in the fire service and have actively pursued this career.
2. Physical Fitness: A career in the fire service is physically demanding. Firefighters often work in conditions that require strength and cardiovascular endurance. Maintaining a high level of fitness is not only necessary to achieve a passing score on the pre-employment physical fitness test, but also to be a productive member of the fire department if employment is secured.
3. Military Experience: Military service is not only a great way to serve your country, but also develops discipline and teamwork skills necessary for a career in the fire service. It is also possible to gain valuable firefighting experience as a military firefighter. Applicants who qualify are awarded points for military experience during the interview phase of the hiring process.
4. Certifications: Obtaining relevant certifications will not only show initiative, but will give a candidate an advantage over another who will have to be trained by the fire department after employment. Candidates certified as Firefighter I and II, as well as EMT-B, EMT-I, and EMT-P, will stand out among applicants as well as those who have received first aid courses, CPR, and hazardous materials training.
5. Job Familiarization: If a candidate makes it through the interview process, a solid knowledge of the job specific to the Decatur Fire Department will help the candidate show that they have more than a basic interest in employment.
6. Work Experience: Any jobs that a candidate has before seeking employment with the Decatur Fire Department will help that candidate’s resume. Jobs in medical areas, fire suppression equipment, building construction, and other areas can all be useful in becoming a firefighter. Remember that background checks are a part of the hiring process, so regardless where you are employed, don’t burn your bridges!
7. Volunteering: Many paid firefighters began their career in the fire service by volunteering as a firefighter. This is not only a valuable way to serve your community, but is a good way to gain experience, training, and certifications. Besides volunteering as a firefighter, being an active member of your community and charitable organizations shows an applicants desire to positively effect the lives of others, which is a valued asset in any applicant.
8. Understanding the Hiring Process: Before beginning the hiring process, know what is involved. The Decatur Fire Department application process includes filing out an application, a physical fitness test, a written test, oral interviews, psychological examinations and physical examinations. Elements of the physical fitness test can be practice to give the candidate confidence going into the test. There are sample written examinations available on the internet that are similar to tests used by the Decatur Fire Department. Taking these practice exams will point out weaknesses that can be addressed before the hiring process begins.