Fire Department · Career
Wayne Township Fire Department
Indianapolis, IN · Marion County
130 firefighters working 24 hours on/48 hours off, plus 20 civilian staff; organized into five engine companies, two ladder companies, three shift Battalion Chiefs, three shift Safety Officers, and three shift EMS Duty Officers.
No active openings right now
Watch this department to be notified when Wayne Township Fire Department is hiring, or check their careers page.
Department careers page ↗Wayne Township Fire Department (WTFD) provides fire protection, specialized rescue, hazardous materials response, and advanced life support EMS to more than 140,000 residents across roughly 38 square miles of west central Indianapolis and Marion County. The department operates five firehouses staffed by five engine companies and two ladder companies, with three rotating shifts (A, B, C) each led by a Battalion Chief, Safety Officer, and EMS Duty Officer. WTFD responds to about 19,500 calls for service annually and delivers advanced medical care to nearly 10,000 citizens each year.
Beyond emergency response, the department runs building inspections, fire investigations, fleet and facility maintenance, public fire-safety education, CPR training, and the Project Lifesaver program for at-risk residents. It maintains an ISO Class 1 rating and NFPA 1710 compliance, and produces its own "WTFD Day Watch" podcast and training/response video library covering hazmat, swift-water rescue, and forcible entry operations.
Firefighter hiring runs through the Wayne Township Fire Department Merit Commission on a cyclical basis (interest card, then written examination), while non-firefighter civilian openings are posted separately on the department's careers page as they arise.
MissionService, Duty and Dedication
Career firefighter hiring is administered by the Wayne Township Fire Department Merit Commission through a periodic cycle: a hiring interest card window followed by a written examination. The department's most recent posted cycle (2025) had its interest-card phase close with a written exam held March 29; check the Merit Firefighter Hiring Information page for the next open cycle. Non-firefighter/civilian openings are posted separately on the department's Careers page as they become available.
Requirements
- At least 21 years old by the date the eligibility list is established
- Must be hired before turning 40
- Legally authorized to work in the United States
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Valid driver's license, maintained throughout the hiring process
- No felony convictions
- Ability to read, write legibly, speak, understand, and communicate in English
- No dishonorable military discharge
Hiring process
- Submit a Hiring Interest Card during the open application window
- Complete a written examination
How can I get a job as a firefighter with WTFD?
Monitor local media and the department's website for hiring announcements; the process involves multiple steps administered by the Merit Commission, including a written examination.
How do I file a complaint about fire department personnel?
Complaints can be submitted by email, phone at (317) 246-6200, or in person at headquarters.
Can the fire department rescue my cat from a tree?
The department only assists with situations involving life-threatening danger; for routine animal rescues, contact Animal Control at (317) 327-1397.
Why do so many fire engines respond to even small fires?
WTFD uses a Standard Response Plan that pre-designates the amount of equipment sent to a given call type; unneeded units are released by the Incident Commander once on scene.