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Madison Fire Department
Committed to recruiting and retaining a qualified, diverse, inclusive and safe fire workforce.
Recruitment & Hiring Process
City of Madison firefighter recruitment is conducted approximately every 2 years, with the beginning of the next recruitment process to begin in the fall of 2012. The application deadline for the current recruitment process was December 3, 2010.  The firefighter recruitment and selection process is extensive and generally takes 9-10 months from initial application to the first round of hiring. Watch the Employment Application Process Video. The recruitment & hiring process generally consists of the following components:

Step 1

Candidates complete and turn in all required application materials to the City of Madison Human Resources Department
  • Potential candidates need to meet certain Firefighter Prerequisites to be considered for employment with the City of Madison Fire Department.

Step 2

Written Test and Personality Inventory
  • The written test generally consists of multiple-choice questions designed to test six abilities important to the performance of the firefighter's job. 
  • The Personality Inventory consists of a series of questions designed to assess a candidate's motivational, value-related, and attitudinal characteristics.

Step 3

Physical Ability Test
  • The Physical Ability Test consists of a series of events that simulate firefighting activities (e.g., dragging hoses, carrying equipment, searching for and rescuing victims). Watch the Physical Agility Test Video.
  • It is never too early to start training to become a firefighter. Building strength and endurance is important in passing the exam and in keeping with the physical demands of the position if hired.

Step 4

Oral Board Examination
  • The Oral Board Examination (final phase of testing) is designed to measure a candidate's ability in several different areas: verbal comprehension, verbal expression, reasoning, fluency of ideas, and originality.

Candidates that successfully complete the first four steps are placed on the Police & Fire Commission's (PFC) Firefighter Eligibility List, which remains in effect for approximately 18 - 24 months or until such time as the list is dissolved by the PFC. These candidates are scheduled for an oral interview with the Fire Chief (Step 5).

Step 5

Chief's Oral Interview
  • The Fire Chief, along with one or two other individuals, interviews each candidate on the PFC's Firefighter Eligibility List. Upon completion of the interviews, the Chief reviews the files and selects a number of individuals to receive extensive reference/background checks. After completion of these checks and additional review, the Chief presents her list of proposed hires to the Police and Fire Commission for their preliminary approval subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination.
  • Pursuant to the PFC's preliminary approval, the Department makes a conditional offer of employment contingent on completion of a satisfactory pre-employment medical examination at the City's occupational health provider.
  • Upon satisfactory completion of the pre-employment medical examination, employment as a Firefighter Recruit begins on a pre-determined date at the Firefighter Recruit Training Academy.
The City of Madison is an Equal Employment Employer. We encourage minorities and women to apply.

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES AND ACCURACY OF DATA. The information contained herein is merely an informal summary of the process. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, reliability or usefulness of the information. Should you have any questions regarding the recruitment and hiring process for the City of Madison Fire Department, please direct your inquiry to Fire Recruitment.

Candidate Preparation Guide

The Candidate Preparation Guide has been designed to help you prepare for the Madison, WI, Entry-Level Firefighter Examination. This guide covers the Written Test, Work Styles Questionnaire, Life Experience Survey, Physical Ability Test, and the Oral Board Examination. Please click on the link below to view the Candidate Preparation Guide. It is highly recommended that you obtain a copy of this beneficial guide.

Please note that this is the guide for the firefighter application process. Persons possessing previous versions of the guide from past application processes should obtain a copy of this most recent version.

Candidate Preparation Guide (PDF)

You may also purchase a copy at:    FedEx Kinkos Copy Center
                                                         3908 E Washington Avenue
                                                         Madison, WI 53704
                                                         (608) 245-0700

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