Fire Department · Career
City Of Champaign Fire Department
Champaign, IL · Champaign County
Apply to Champaign Fire Department by filling out an interest form; must be 21+ years old, have a valid CPAT certification, and hold a driver's license.
Apply by Aug 31, 2026 for an Entry-Level Firefighter position with a $75,868 annual salary and comprehensive benefits including health insurance, dental/vision plans, life insurance, pension, and union representation.
The Champaign Fire Department protects the City of Champaign in east-central Illinois, home to more than 90,000 residents plus hundreds of thousands of annual visitors and roughly 55,000 University of Illinois students. It traces its roots to 1865, when it was organized by city ordinance, and grew from a volunteer company into a career department staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The department is over 130 strong, including firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and administrative and support staff working out of six fire stations across the city. Its Operations Division runs six engines, two trucks, a heavy rescue unit, and an incident command vehicle.
In 2023 the department answered more than 10,700 calls for service. It carries an ISO Class 1 Public Protection Classification, the highest possible, placing it among only a small fraction of departments nationwide to earn that mark.
Beyond structural firefighting, Champaign covers hazardous materials response within the city and a wide surrounding radius through the Illinois Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) Division 28, and shares fire, HazMat, EMS, and technical rescue duties on the University of Illinois campus.
MissionTo protect life, property, and the environment through professional services delivered with compassion and integrity.
Champaign hires entry-level firefighters off a periodic eligibility list, currently building the 2027-2029 list with applications accepted through August 31, 2026. Testing is administered through the National Testing Network / ApplyToServe process, and applicants complete an online application and upload required documents by the posted deadlines.
Candidates generally must hold a high school diploma or equivalent, reside within Champaign County, and be 21 to 35 years of age (by the stated cutoff, unless exempt by statute), with no felony convictions and no fire- or arson-related misdemeanors. Those selected complete a six-week basic firefighting academy followed by additional coursework in firefighting, HazMat, technical rescue, incident command, and EMS.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Reside within Champaign County
- 21 to 35 years of age by the stated cutoff, unless exempt by state statute
- No felony convictions
- No misdemeanors related to fire or arson
Hiring process
- Register and test through the National Testing Network / ApplyToServe
- Complete the online application and upload all required documents by the posted deadlines
- Placement on the probationary firefighter eligibility list
- Selection and appointment as a probationary firefighter
- Complete the six-week basic firefighting academy and follow-on training
Benefits
Full-time firefighters are covered by the city's fire pension fund. Detailed pay-and-benefit information is provided through the city's Human Resources department.
Probationary firefighters complete a six-week basic firefighting academy, followed by additional classes in firefighting, HazMat, technical rescue, incident command (ICS), and EMS.
How do I apply to become a Champaign firefighter?
Champaign hires entry-level firefighters from a periodic eligibility list. Candidates test and apply through the National Testing Network / ApplyToServe process, completing an online application and uploading required documents by the posted deadlines. The 2027-2029 eligibility list is accepting applications through August 31, 2026.
What are the basic requirements?
Applicants generally must have a high school diploma or equivalent, reside within Champaign County, and be 21 to 35 years of age by the stated cutoff (unless exempt by statute), with no felony convictions and no fire- or arson-related misdemeanors.
What is the starting salary?
The starting salary for a probationary firefighter is $70,176.
What training do new firefighters complete?
New probationary firefighters complete a six-week basic firefighting academy, followed by additional coursework in firefighting, HazMat, technical rescue, incident command, and EMS.
What kind of calls does the department handle?
The department responds to fire, EMS, hazardous materials, and technical rescue incidents. It answered more than 10,700 calls in 2023 and covers HazMat response across the city and a surrounding radius through MABAS Division 28.