Firefighter Candidate

About This Role

The Indianapolis Fire Department is hiring Firefighter Candidates to serve Indiana's capital and largest city. IFD operates in a consolidated city-county government and responds to over 130,000 incidents annually from 42 fire stations, covering everything from downtown commercial fires to large suburban residential zones in the consolidated Unigov service area.

Job Overview

• Job Title: Firefighter Candidate
• Company: Indianapolis Fire Department
• Location: Indianapolis, IN
• Job Type: Full-time
• Experience Level: Entry-level
• Salary Range: $17–$24/hr
• Posted Date: 2026-06-01
• Application Deadline: 2026-07-01

Role Context

IFD candidates complete a 16-week fire academy followed by 12 months of probationary field assignment. The department's consolidated service area means some stations serve dense urban districts while others cover large rural and suburban zones — giving recruits exposure to a broad variety of building types and incident profiles early in their careers.

Key Responsibilities

• Suppress residential and commercial fires across Indianapolis's city-county service area
• Deliver emergency medical services as a certified first responder or EMT
• Operate engine and truck companies across both urban and suburban response zones
• Perform vehicle extrication and technical rescue operations
• Conduct haz-mat awareness operations at transportation and industrial incidents
• Participate in fire prevention inspections and public education programs

Requirements & Skills

• Indiana residency; must be at least 18 years old
• High school diploma or GED required; some college preferred
• Pass IFD written entrance exam and physical agility test
• CPAT certification required
• Valid Indiana driver's license
• Pass background investigation, drug screen, medical and psychological evaluations

Benefits & Work Conditions

• $17–$24/hr with annual step increases under IAFF Local 416 agreement
• 1977 Police Officers and Firefighters Pension and Disability Fund (defined benefit)
• City health, dental, and vision coverage
• 24-on/48-off shift schedule
• Advancement opportunities within a large consolidated department

Who Should Apply

Indiana residents seeking a stable, long-term public safety career with a large municipal department. IFD's consolidated structure means more stations, more promotional opportunities, and more career variety than most Midwest departments of comparable size — a strong choice for entry-level candidates who plan to make fire service their life's work.

About the Company

Indianapolis Fire Department operates 42 fire stations with over 900 uniformed personnel serving Indianapolis and Marion County under the consolidated Unigov structure. IFD provides fire suppression, EMS first response, haz-mat, and technical rescue services across one of the Midwest's most extensive consolidated city-county service areas.

How to Apply

Apply at indy.gov/fire-department-careers. Exam announcements are posted on the IFD careers page. The hiring process includes a written exam, physical agility test, CPAT, oral board, background investigation, and medical and psychological evaluations.