Fire Department · Career
Lakeland Fire Department
Lakeland, FL · Polk County
An eighth station is under construction near Sleepy Hill Rd & Mall Hill Dr. The department traces its origins to an 1891 volunteer bucket brigade and became a full-time career service in 1916.
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Department careers page ↗Lakeland Fire Department traces its roots to an 1891 volunteer bucket brigade, formalized as an organized volunteer brigade in 1909 before transitioning to a full-time career department on August 1, 1916 under Chief Ben Driscoll. The department grew steadily through the 20th century, adding stations (two more by 1949) and modernizing from motorized apparatus in 1913 through a full transition from Basic Life Support to Advanced Life Support EMS between 2003 and 2011.
Today LFD operates seven fire stations across the city (an eighth is under construction near Sleepy Hill Road) plus a dedicated Fire Training Center, staffing more than 200 employees to protect over 100,000 residents across roughly 84 square miles. The department has held a Class 1 Public Protection Classification (ISO/PPC) rating, the highest possible, since January 2014.
Operations are organized into Administration, Operations, Rescue, Training, Prevention, Maintenance, and Public Relations divisions, with specialized capability in Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) and Urban Search & Rescue (USAR). The bulk of the department's roughly 30,000 annual calls are medical in nature, reflecting its role as the city's primary EMS provider alongside structural and technical rescue response.
MissionTo be the best public safety organization focused on providing superior service.
Firefighter candidates apply through both the City of Lakeland's NEOGOV system and the National Testing Network (NTN), and must pass the Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) and a background check. Because most LFD calls are EMS-related, candidates need at minimum EMT Basic certification (Paramedic certification is pursued through local programs like Polk State College, Hillsborough Community College, or Valencia College) in addition to Firefighter I/II (Fire Standards) certification, a process the department says can take up to a year and a half from start to finish. A career brochure covering salary, benefits, and advancement is available on request from LFD administration.
Requirements
- At least 18 years old
- Valid State of Florida driver's license
- High school diploma or GED
- Current CPR/ACLS certification
- Pass the Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT)
- Pass a criminal background check
- EMT Basic certification minimum (Paramedic certification pursued)
- Firefighter I and II (Fire Standards) certification
Hiring process
- Apply through the City of Lakeland NEOGOV employment system
- Apply through the National Testing Network (NTN)
- Pass the Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT)
- Pass a criminal background check
- Complete Fire Standards training (Firefighter I/II) if not already certified
- Obtain EMT Basic or Paramedic certification
Fire Standards training toward Firefighter I/II certification takes about 10 weeks; the full path from application through certification can take up to a year and a half.
What is the minimum age to apply to Lakeland Fire Department?
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid Florida driver's license and a high school diploma or GED.
What certifications do I need to become a Lakeland firefighter?
Because most calls are EMS-related, candidates need at least EMT Basic certification (Paramedic is pursued through local colleges), plus Firefighter I and II (Fire Standards) certification, which takes about 10 weeks.
How do I apply to Lakeland Fire Department?
Candidates apply through both the City of Lakeland's NEOGOV system and the National Testing Network (NTN), and must pass the Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT).
What is Lakeland Fire Department's ISO/PPC rating?
LFD has held a Class 1 Public Protection Classification, the highest possible rating, since January 2014.
How long does the hiring process take?
The department says the fire standards certification process, plus follow-up examination and additional certification, can take nearly a year and a half from start to finish.