Skip to main content
City of Madison
  • Accounts
    • All Accounts
    • My Account
    • ePayments
    • Water Customer Care
    • Employment
    • Licenses & Permits
  • Services
  • Jobs
  • Agencies
    • All Agencies
    • Assessor's Office
    • Attorney's Office
    • Building Inspection
    • Civil Rights
    • Clerk's Office
    • Common Council
    • Community Development
    • Development Services Center
    • Economic Development
    • Employee Assistance Program
    • Engineering
    • Finance
    • Fire
    • Fleet Service
    • Golf
    • Goodman Pool
    • Housing Authority
    • Human Resources
    • Information Technology
    • Madison City Channel
    • Madison Public Library
    • Madison Senior Center
    • Mayor's Office
    • Metro Transit
    • Monona Terrace
    • Municipal Court
    • Office of Business Resources
    • Office of Real Estate Services
    • Olbrich Botanical Gardens
    • Parking Utility
    • Parks
    • Planning
    • Planning, Community & Economic Development
    • Police
    • Public Health Madison & Dane County
    • Public Works
    • Streets & Recycling
    • Traffic Engineering
    • Transportation
    • Treasurer's Office
    • Warner Park Community Recreation Center
    • Water Utility
  • Data
  • Contact
    • Mayor
    • City Council
    • City Staff & Agencies

Search form

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

  • City Services
  • Public Health
  • Get Alerts
  • Español
  • Hmoob
Madison Fire Department

City of Madison Fire Department

Steven Davis, Fire Chief

Invest in People Today!

  • Home
  • Stations
  • Join MFD
  • Your Safety
  • Permits & Inspections
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Emergency Management
  • About
  • Media
  • Contact
  1. City of Madison
  2. Fire
  3. Join MFD
  4. About the Process

About the Process

We hire new recruits every two years. The firefighter recruitment and selection process is extensive and generally takes 9 – 10 months from initial application to the first round of hiring.

Once the application period starts, candidates may apply online. You must have a valid email address to create an account. We will send all hiring process information via email.

Candidates need to meet certain prerequisites to be considered.


  1. Multiple-Choice Test

    The first part of the selection process is a video-based multiple-choice test. This test will measure your aptitude for skills that firefighters use on a regular basis.

    The test has four parts:

    • Human relations
    • Mechanical aptitude
    • Math
    • Reading

    Learn more about the multiple-choice test, and how you can prepare.

  2. Interviews

    The next part of the selection process is made up of three interviews. You must pass each interview to move on to the next one.

    Learn more about the interview process, and how you can prepare.

  3. Physical Ability Test

    The Physical Ability Test is a series of events that simulate firefighting activities.

    During this test, you will need to demonstrate that you have the stamina, strength, and agility you need to accomplish the tasks of a firefighter.

    It is never too early to start training! Building strength and endurance is important to pass the test. We recommend you take your physical fitness seriously. This will not only help you to be a more prepared candidate, but to have a long, healthy career as a firefighter wherever you are employed.

    Learn more about the Physical Ability Test, and how you can prepare.

  4. Medical Evaluation & Background Check

    In addition to passing the Physical Ability Test, you will also have to pass a medical exam and background check. We will give you more information about the medical exam and background test if you move forward to this stage.

    If you pass the background check and medical evaluation, you will enter the Recruit Academy.

  5. Recruit Academy

    You will begin employment as a Firefighter Recruit on the day you start at the Academy.

    Not all recruits complete the Academy. Our training staff is committed to making the best new firefighters and making existing firefighters better.

    Learn more about the Recruit Academy.


More Information

For a full overview of the hiring and selection process, review the Candidate Orientation Handout.

Join MFD

  • About the Process
    • Multiple-Choice Test
    • Interviews
    • Physical Ability Test
    • Academy
  • What We Do
  • Why MFD
  • What We Look For
  • Salary
  • Training
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Talk to a Recruiter

Recruitment Questions

  • JoinMFD@cityofmadison.com
  • Phone: (608) 513-3446

City of Madison Fire Department

City of Madison Fire Department
314 W. Dayton St
Madison, WI 53703
  • Administration Phone:
    (608) 266-4420
  • Dane County Communications Non-Emergency Line:
    (608) 255-2345
  • Fax: (608) 267-1100
  • Email: fire@cityofmadison.com
  • Office Hours: M - F: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
  • WI Relay Service

Join MFD

  • Talk to a Recruiter
  • About the Job
  • About the Process
  • What We Look For
  • Frequently Asked Questions

I Want To...

  • Find my Fire Station
  • Smoke Alarm Information
  • Do I Need a Permit?
  • Pay an Ambulance Bill
  • Request a Fire Report

Stay Informed

  • Fire Chief's Blog
  • Fire Daily Reports
  • Fire Department Blog
  • Fire Department Email Lists
  • Fire Department Facebook
  • Fire Department Flickr
  • Fire Department Instagram
  • Fire Department Twitter
  • Fire News Releases

All Social Media »

City of Madison, Wisconsin logo, copyright City of Madison

Our Madison – Inclusive, Innovative, & Thriving

Copyright © 1995 - 2021 City of Madison, WI
  • Contact Webmaster
  • Accessibility
  • Web Policies
2019 Winner of the Digital Cities Survey by the Center for Digital Government