Fire Department · Career
Lexington Fire Department
Lexington, KY · Fayette County
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Department careers page ↗The Lexington Fire Department, part of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG), delivers comprehensive fire suppression and emergency medical services to the Lexington community. Beyond emergency response, the department invests heavily in prevention through public education, fire inspections, and outreach programs staffed by trained personnel using modern equipment.
The department runs a range of community services, including free smoke-alarm and car-seat installation, open-burn permitting, arson investigation, and a Citizens Fire Academy that gives residents a hands-on look at the fire service.
As a metro department, LFD hires career firefighters through a competitive, multi-step process managed out of its dedicated recruiting office, and maintains an active hiring outreach presence for prospective candidates.
MissionFire and Emergency Services provides comprehensive fire suppression and emergency medical care to protect the community.
Lexington hires recruit firefighters through a structured process that can take up to 12 months and runs in two phases. Candidates begin by reviewing the eligibility requirements, then complete an application, a written exam, and the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) before advancing to interviews, background checks, and medical, psychological, and drug screening.
Because hiring runs in cycles, prospective firefighters are encouraged to submit an interest form to be added to the department's database and to follow the LFD Hiring social media accounts for announcements on when applications open.
Requirements
- Submit a completed application
- Meet minimum age and education requirements
- Acceptable work history and driving record
- No disqualifying criminal conduct or drug use
- Provide truthful information (false information is disqualifying)
- Pass a polygraph examination
- Pass a medical examination
- Pass a psychological examination
- Satisfactory character review
- Acceptable military service and discharge history (if applicable)
Hiring process
- Review eligibility requirements
- Complete the application
- Written exam (National Firefighter Selection Inventory)
- Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)
- Oral interview
- Conditional offer of employment
- Background investigation
- Polygraph exam
- Fire chief's selection of recruits
- Psychological examination
- Physical/medical examination
- Drug screening
Benefits
Benefits include health insurance (individual or family) with dental and vision options for employees and dependents, a 25-year retirement plan with supplemental 401(k) and 457 savings options, tuition reimbursement, and promotional opportunities. Certification pay and uniform allowance are provided in addition to base salary.
Recruits attend a training academy; pay increases to Step 2 upon graduating after completing 300 training hours, when the state training incentive begins.
How do I apply to become a Lexington firefighter?
Start by reviewing the eligibility requirements, then complete the application when a hiring cycle is open. You can submit an interest form to be added to the recruiting database and notified when hiring begins, and follow the LFD Hiring social media accounts for announcements.
What does the hiring process involve?
It runs in two phases and can take up to 12 months, including a written exam, the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), an oral interview, a conditional offer, background investigation, polygraph, and psychological, medical, and drug screening before the fire chief selects recruits.
What does a Lexington firefighter earn?
Recruit Firefighter pay starts at $54,265, and the pay scale rises to $119,500 for a Step 3 Captain. Recruit pay increases after academy completion, and certification pay and other benefits are added on top of base salary.
What benefits are offered?
Firefighters receive health, dental, and vision insurance for themselves and dependents, a 25-year retirement plan with 401(k) and 457 options, tuition reimbursement, and promotional opportunities.
Is there a training academy?
Yes. New recruits attend an academy and complete 300 training hours; pay increases upon graduation when the state training incentive begins.
Where is the recruiting office?
The Lexington Fire Department Recruiting Office is at 1375 Old Frankfort Pike, Lexington, KY 40504, and can be reached at Lfd-recruiting@lexingtonky.gov.