Fire Department Employment Information

• The Organization
• Firefighter - The Career
• Overview of the Process to Become a Firefighter
• How to Apply
• Requirements
• Benefits

The Organization

The Cedar Rapids Fire Department is a dynamic and diverse organization that provides an outstanding opportunity for those interested in a public service career.

As a part of the City of Cedar Rapids, the Cedar Rapids Fire Department is dedicated to quality customer service as reflected in our Vision Statement: "Working together to make Cedar Rapids a safer community."

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Firefighter - The Career

Firefighters are involved in many functions including but not limited to:

• Emergency Medical: Respond to a variety of medical situations and are trained at the Emergency Medical Technician-Basic professional rescuer level. Perform defibrillation and CPR consistent with American Heart Association standards.
• Prevention and Education: Activities that promote effective principles and practices of fire prevention within the city.
• Training: Programs to meet specific needs of individual members, as well as meet departmental goals and satisfy state requirements.
• Firefighting: Provides direct services, individually and as a member of a team, in the suppression and control of hazardous fires, and other kinds of emergency assistance to the public as circumstances may require, including medical, rescue and natural disasters.
• Maintenance: Regular maintenance of stations, apparatus, equipment and grounds.
• Specialization: Hazardous Materials, River Rescue, Ice Rescue, Technical Rescue, Extrication, Incident Command, etc.
  

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Overview of Process to Become a Firefighter

You must:

• Meet all basic requirements.
• Complete and submit an application to Cedar Rapids Civil Service Department.
• Receive a satisfactory score in a pre-employment written examination.
• Pass a timed physical qualification test.
• Successfully complete and pass an oral interview given by the hiring authority.
• Prior to placement, successfully complete and pass a drug and medical test.

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How to Apply

The Cedar Rapids Fire Department application period will begin on May 5, 2008.  The deadline for returning application is 5:00 PM on Friday, May 23, 2008.   Applicants must be State of Iowa Emergency Medical Technician-Basic certified by the date of the written examination, which is Wednesday, June 11, 2008.

When the Fire Department is hiring, the position for Firefighter is advertised in the Cedar Rapids Gazette and is posted on the City's website (www.cedar-rapids.org). A valid application period will be identified in the advertisement (for the 2008 recruitment, the dates are May 5 - May 23, 2008.)  You must adhere to the deadlines in the recruitment announcement. Individuals who do not submit an application during this recruitment period will not be eligible to participate in the process. The certified eligibility list for this position lasts one year from the certified date.

Note: All completed applications must be returned to the City of Cedar Rapids Human Resources Office.
Make sure that you meet all of the application requirements prior to submitting a request. Also, please indicate whether you have an Iowa Emergency Medical Technician-Basic card (see Requirements below).

During the recruitment period, you may pick up an application at the following locations, or request that one be sent to you by filling out this request form.

City of Cedar Rapids
Human Resources Office
51 First Avenue Bridge
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401-1132
(319) 286-5000

Office Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday, except holidays.

Cedar Rapids Fire Department
222 3rd Street NW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52405-3939
(319) 286-5200

Office Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday-Friday, except holidays.

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE: If you wish to receive veteran's preference and you were in a reserve unit, it is your responsibility to provide official documentation of any active service in a regular military unit stating dates of active service, etc. For information on how to obtain this documentation, contact your local recruiting office.

The City of Cedar Rapids is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.

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Requirements

Special Notice regarding Emergency Medical Technician Certification Requirement:
You must be currently certified as an Iowa EMT-Basic with current CPR certification card PRIOR to the date of the written examination or have a preliminary approval form of endorsement from the Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.

According to Iowa Code 131.3(9) Certification through endorsement, an individual currently certified by another state or registrant of the National Registry of EMT’s must also possess a current Iowa certificate to be considered certified in the state of Iowa. Allow approximately 7-10 days for the endorsement application to be processed. For an endorsement application, contact the EMS Bureau at: http://www.idph.state.ia.us/ems/common/pdf/endo-app.pdf

Other Requirements:

• Applicant must be able to obtain a valid Iowa Driver’s License & be able to obtain a Class-D or chauffeur’s Driver’s License.
• Must be a citizen of the United States and a resident of Iowa or intends to become a resident upon being employed.
• Must be able to speak, read, and write the English language.
• Must not be alcohol or drug addicted. Prior to employment, the City of Cedar Rapids will require drug testing as part of a pre-employment physical for all employees.
• Must be of good moral character. This implies that the conduct or character of any applicant must be such that his/her job performance as a firefighter would not be impeded in any manner.
• Must have no felony convictions.
• Must conform to the current residency requirement. You must reside within 50 miles of Central Fire Station (222 3rd Street NW) within six months of employment.
• PHYSICAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS WHILE WEARING PROTECTIVE CLOTHING & BREATHING APPARATUS INCLUDE:
• Ability to rescue individuals from life-threatening situations, including extrications, water rescue, cave-ins, and high buildings or other structures.
• Ability to lay hose lines, operate nozzles, pumps, hydrants, fire extinguishers, use firefighting equipment to control or extinguish fire, and climb ladders.
• Ability to properly utilize the following equipment and tools: wide variety of fire apparatus, equipment and tools associated with the fire control operation and non-fire emergencies, personal protective equipment, multi-gas monitors, fall protection equipment, and self contained breathing apparatus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion and certification of the entry level Firefighter Course Curriculum from an accredited institution.
• A current (International Fire Service Accreditation Council) Firefighter I Certification
• Completion of Iowa Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic or Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic Specialist

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Benefits

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