Fire Department · Career
Indianapolis Fire Department
Indianapolis, IN · Marion County
“Our Family Serving Your Family”
Largest fire department in Indiana
No active openings right now
Watch this department to be notified when Indianapolis Fire Department is hiring, or check their careers page.
Department careers page ↗The Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) traces its paid-force roots to 1859 and today protects Indiana's largest city and much of Marion County, covering roughly 278 square miles from 44 fire stations organized into seven battalions.
IFD is a large, full-service metropolitan department. It is organized under the Office of the Chief and four bureaus (Administration, Logistics, Operations, and Community Risk Reduction) overseeing 15 divisions, and supports on the order of 1,300 firefighters and civilian staff who run engines, ladder and platform trucks, squads, and specialized rescue apparatus.
Beyond structural firefighting, IFD provides advanced life support and operates specialized capabilities including hazardous materials, technical and water rescue, and urban search and rescue. The department is a founding member of Indiana Task Force 1 (IN-TF1), one of the FEMA-sponsored national USAR task forces.
In December 2021, IFD merged with the Beech Grove Fire Department, continuing a long history of consolidating fire protection across the Indianapolis metro area.
IFD hires firefighter recruits through periodic open application windows posted on the City of Indianapolis / Marion County careers site and the department's "Become a Firefighter" page. Candidates must clear a multi-stage screening process before appointment.
New hires attend the Indianapolis Fire Department Training Academy for a 28-week program, held Monday through Friday, before being assigned to a company. Watch the recruitment page for the next application period, as hiring is not continuously open.
Requirements
- Be between the ages of 21 and 36 on the date of hire (or younger than 40 years and six months with 20 years of completed military service)
- Maintain State of Indiana First-Class Firefighter Certification or NFPA Firefighter I/II certification
- Maintain State of Indiana Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification
- Pass written examination, oral interview, CPAT, aerial climb, medical exam, background investigation, psychological evaluation, and drug screening
Hiring process
- Written examination
- Oral interview
- Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT)
- Aerial climb
- Medical examination
- Background investigation
- Psychological evaluation
- Drug screening
Recruits attend the Indianapolis Fire Department Training Academy for 28 weeks, Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
What are the age requirements to become an Indianapolis firefighter?
Applicants must be between 21 and 36 years old on the date of hire, or younger than 40 years and six months if they have completed 20 years of military service.
What certifications do I need to apply to IFD?
Firefighters must maintain State of Indiana First-Class Firefighter Certification (or NFPA Firefighter I/II) and State of Indiana Emergency Medical Technician certification.
What is the hiring process for IFD?
Candidates must pass a written examination, oral interview, the Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT), an aerial climb, a medical examination, a background investigation, a psychological evaluation, and a drug screening.
How long is the training academy?
New recruits attend the Indianapolis Fire Department Training Academy for 28 weeks, Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How much do Indianapolis firefighters earn?
Pay follows a three-year step schedule: $55,841 in the first year, $65,626 in the second year, and $90,569 in the third year.
How do I apply to become an IFD firefighter?
IFD opens applications periodically. Check the department's "Become a Firefighter" page on indy.gov and the City of Indianapolis / Marion County careers site for the current application window.