Fire Department · Career
El Dorado Fire Department
El Dorado, AR · Union County
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗El Dorado Fire Department traces its roots to a March 9, 1899 city ordinance establishing a small company of no more than twenty men, who initially responded with a horse-drawn wagon before the department motorized in 1916. Over the following century the department built out its station footprint — the Central Station at 204 North West Ave dates to 1923, with additional stations added in 1953, 1954 (later rebuilt), and 1997 — and expanded its mission well beyond fire suppression, taking over ambulance service from the police department in 1982 and adding paramedic-level Advanced Life Support in 1992.
Today EFD is a 54-member career department operating four stations that cover the city of El Dorado and surrounding Union County around the clock. In addition to structural, commercial, and wildland fire suppression and ALS ambulance transport, the department fields a hazardous materials response capability and a technical rope rescue team for high-angle and confined-space incidents, alongside a fire prevention division that handles inspections, plan review, and public fire-safety education. A dedicated training facility was added in 2018 to support ongoing skills development.
Fire Chief Chad Mosby, a 31-year fire service veteran and 30-year paramedic, has led the department since 2012, a tenure marked by the introduction of electronic billing, cancer-prevention measures, and mental health programs for department members.
Missionprotect and serve the people who live, work, and visit the El Dorado area
El Dorado Fire Department is currently accepting applications for Firefighter/EMT and Firefighter/Paramedic positions through a Spring Civil Service testing process. No prior fire or EMS experience is required — the department provides full training. Starting pay for Firefighter/EMT ranges from $44,253 to $48,686, and Firefighter/Paramedic from $48,777 to $54,250, depending on certification and education.
Requirements
- No prior firefighting or EMS experience required — full training is provided
- Must pass the Firefighters Physical Agilities Test (FPAT)
Hiring process
- Written exam — timed, multiple-choice test assessing job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities
- Oral interview — panel of roughly five interviewers, approximately 15 minutes
- Firefighters Physical Agilities Test (FPAT) — simulates on-the-job physical tasks
Benefits
City Group Health Plan, LOPFI retirement plan, paid vacation, and uniforms/equipment provided.
Is El Dorado Fire Department currently hiring?
Yes. The department is accepting applications for Firefighter/EMT and Firefighter/Paramedic positions through its Spring Civil Service testing process, and no prior experience is required — full training is provided.
What is the application/testing process?
Candidates go through a three-phase Civil Service Test: a timed multiple-choice written exam, an oral interview before a roughly five-person panel (about 15 minutes), and the Firefighters Physical Agilities Test (FPAT).
What shift schedule do firefighters work?
Firefighters work a 48/96 schedule.
What benefits does the department offer?
A City Group Health Plan, the LOPFI retirement plan, paid vacation, and department-provided uniforms and equipment.
How many stations and personnel does the department have?
El Dorado Fire Department operates four stations within the city with 54 full-time firefighters.