Fire Department · Career
Davenport Fire Department
Davenport, IA · Scott County
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗The Davenport Fire Department has served the Mississippi River city of Davenport, Iowa since it was officially recognized in 1882. Today the department runs eight engine companies and three truck companies out of seven stations, along with a Heavy Rescue unit, three fire/rescue boats, and a hazardous materials tractor-trailer, answering more than 19,000 emergency incidents a year including structure fires, EMS calls, hazardous materials responses, and technical rescues.
DFD is an Advanced Life Support (ALS) non-transport agency, cross-training every firefighter in emergency medical care and pairing engine and truck crews with the community's transport provider, MEDIC. Its Hazardous Materials Team, formed in 1991, is one of only three teams statewide recognized as part of the Iowa WMD Strike Force. Beyond emergency response, the department's Fire Prevention Bureau handles commercial inspections, fire investigation, and public education, and its Training Division runs recruits through more than 240 hours of academy instruction at a dedicated training campus with a live-fire burn building.
Davenport Fire holds a Class 2/2X ISO rating, putting it in the top 5% of departments nationwide, and is one of a small number of agencies worldwide to hold Internationally Accredited Agency status with the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) and the Center for Public Safety Excellence.
MissionThe Davenport Fire Department is a proud organization, which exists to protect life and property through education, prevention, and response.
The Davenport Fire Department hires entry-level firefighters through a competitive civil service process administered with the City of Davenport. Applicants must be at least 21 by list certification, hold a high school diploma or GED, and be a U.S. citizen at the time of the written exam. New hires go through a two-month Recruit Academy delivering more than 240 hours of training toward Firefighter I/II and HazMat Operations certification, and must obtain an EMT-B certificate within a year of hire.
Requirements
- At least 21 years of age at time of list certification
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- Valid driver's license upon application
- United States citizen at the time of the written examination
- Pass an extensive background check
- Pass a physical exam, drug screen, and mental health evaluation as required by the City and/or MFPRSI
- Obtain Firefighter I and II, HazMat Awareness, and HazMat Operations certifications within one year of hire
- Obtain an Iowa or National Registry EMT-B certificate within one year of hire
- Uncorrected vision of not less than 20-100 in each eye, corrected to 20-20, normal color vision
- Normal hearing
- Must reside within 20 miles of the corporate limits of the City of Davenport within one year of hire and maintain residency throughout employment
- Pass the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)
Benefits
Benefits begin on day one and include medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage; paid time off; 457 retirement plan contributions; retirement health savings plan contributions; flexible spending accounts; an employee assistance program; life insurance; and long-term disability coverage.
New firefighters complete a two-month Recruit Academy with more than 240 hours of training, earning State of Iowa Firefighter I, Firefighter II, and HazMat Operations certifications.
How do I become a firefighter with the Davenport Fire Department?
Applicants must be at least 21 at list certification, hold a high school diploma or GED, be a U.S. citizen, pass a background check, physical exam, drug screen, and the CPAT, then complete a two-month Recruit Academy earning Firefighter I/II and HazMat Operations certifications.
What are the requirements to apply to Davenport Fire?
Candidates need a valid driver's license, must meet vision and hearing standards, must obtain an EMT-B certificate within a year of hire, and must reside within 20 miles of Davenport's corporate limits within one year of hire.
Is the Davenport Fire Department currently hiring firefighters?
The firefighter application period is currently closed; the department encourages interested applicants to sign up for Job Posting Notifications to be alerted when hiring reopens.
What is the starting salary for a Davenport firefighter?
The starting salary is $67,130 per year, effective July 1, 2026, with benefits including medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, and life insurance beginning on day one.
Does Davenport Fire respond to medical emergencies?
Yes. Davenport Fire is an Advanced Life Support (ALS) non-transport agency responding to over 10,000 EMS calls annually, with half of responders EMT-certified and half certified at the Paramedic level.