Fire Department · Career
Ouachita Parish Fire Protection District #1
West Monroe, LA · Ouachita Parish County
“Saving Lives & Protecting Property Since 1965”
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗The Ouachita Parish Fire Department has served the Monroe and West Monroe area of northeast Louisiana since 1965. It covers a large, mixed urban-and-rural jurisdiction of over 600 square miles and answers more than 17,000 calls a year.
The department operates from 15 fire stations plus a headquarters, with named stations spread across communities like Finks Hideaway, Swartz, Cheniere, Calhoun, Fairbanks, and D'Arbonne. It recently improved to an ISO Class 3 rating.
Operations are organized into a broad set of divisions including Fire Suppression, Communications, EMS, Training, Fire Prevention, Fleet Maintenance, Urban Search & Rescue, Air Operations, Administration, and Information Technology, reflecting a full-service parish agency.
MissionProtecting lives, property and the environment through fire suppression, rescue, medical care, fire prevention, disaster preparedness, hazardous material mitigation and community education.
Hiring at OPFD runs through Louisiana's civil service system. Candidates first take the Louisiana State Examiner's competitive firefighter test, then submit a completed OPFD application with required documents to the department's West Monroe headquarters.
After the exam and application, the process moves through a CPAT physical ability test, an interview, a medical examination with drug and alcohol screening, and completion of the department's Recruit Fire Academy. The department contacts applicants by mail when a hiring cycle opens.
Requirements
- Passing Louisiana Civil Service (State Examiner) test score
- Valid driver's license
- U.S. citizenship with birth certificate
- High school diploma, college degree, or GED
Hiring process
- Pass the Louisiana State Examiner civil service exam (in-person or online)
- Download, complete, and submit the OPFD application with required documents
- Pass the CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test)
- Complete a job interview
- Pass a physical examination including drug and alcohol lab testing
- Successfully complete OPFD's Recruit Fire Academy
New hires must complete OPFD's Recruit Fire Academy.
How do I become a firefighter with Ouachita Parish Fire Department?
Start by passing the Louisiana State Examiner civil service firefighter exam, then submit a completed OPFD application with required documents. Qualified candidates go through a CPAT physical test, interview, medical exam, and the department's Recruit Fire Academy.
What are the minimum requirements to apply?
You need a passing civil service test score, a valid driver's license, U.S. citizenship with a birth certificate, and a high school diploma, college degree, or GED.
Do I have to take a civil service exam?
Yes. The first step is passing the Louisiana State Examiner competitive firefighter test, which can be taken in person or online. A study guide is available through the Louisiana Office of State Examiner.
Is there a physical test?
Yes. Candidates must pass the CPAT, a series of physical maneuvers designed to confirm you have the strength and endurance to perform firefighter duties, and later a medical examination with drug and alcohol screening.
How do I know when hiring is open?
You submit your application to the West Monroe headquarters, and the department will contact you by mail when it begins a hiring process.
Where do I submit my application?
Mail or deliver your completed OPFD application in person to 1000 New Natchitoches Rd., West Monroe, LA 71292.