Fire Department · Career
Grand Rapids Fire Department
Grand Rapids, MI · Kent County
GRFD's Operations Division is described as providing strategic and tactical leadership for 'over 200 uniformed personnel.' The department staffs 20 front-line emergency vehicles from 11 stations, and its Building and Fleet Maintenance division maintains a
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Department careers page ↗The Grand Rapids Fire Department (GRFD) runs suppression, prevention and investigation, training, strategic planning, and fleet/facility maintenance as coordinated divisions rather than siloed units, all administered from LaGrave Station. Suppression crews work out of 11 stations spread across the city, staffing 20 front-line engines, ladders, rescues, and specialty units, while a separate Building and Fleet Maintenance division keeps a total fleet of roughly 70 vehicles in service, including the department's hazmat and water-rescue rigs.
Beyond structure fires, GRFD's stations carry technical rescue, hazmat response, water rescue (including an airboat), vehicle extrication, and wildland/brush apparatus, reflecting a service area that spans dense urban blocks along the Grand River as well as more suburban edges of the city. The department's Prevention and Investigation division enforces commercial fire codes, runs community fire-safety education, and investigates fire cause and origin, while a dedicated Training division operates a live-fire training facility at 2125 Butterworth SW that GRFD personnel largely built themselves.
GRFD has held international accreditation through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) since 2016, renewed on a five-year cycle, and describes itself around resident safety and preparedness across homes, public events, and commercial buildings.
MissionThe Grand Rapids Fire Department is here to help you get the resources you need to stay safe. We handle fire inspections and permits, fire investigation, hazardous materials planning, and more.
GRFD hires firefighters through the City of Grand Rapids' civil service process, run in partnership with a dedicated recruitment microsite (JoinGRFire.com). New hires complete a six-month fire academy before being assigned to a station.
Requirements
- Minimum age 18
- Valid driver's license
- No felony convictions
- Vision correctable to 20/30, or 20/100 uncorrected
- Physically capable of performing essential firefighter job functions
- Able to work in all environments
Hiring process
- Submit application
- Written Civil Service exam
- Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) agility test
- Panel interview
- Fire Chief interview
- Conditional job offer
Benefits
Paid sick leave and vacation, a pension plan, tuition reimbursement, extra pay for a college degree, and ongoing career training and education.
A six-month academy combining classroom and hands-on instruction. Graduates earn Michigan Firefighter Training Council Firefighter I & II certification, Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations certification, and a State of Michigan EMT license.
How long is the Grand Rapids Fire Department academy?
GRFD's academy is a six-month program of classroom instruction and hands-on training, after which recruits hold Michigan Firefighter I & II, Hazmat Awareness/Operations, and Michigan EMT certifications.
What does the GRFD hiring process involve?
Candidates apply through the City's civil service process, then complete a written exam, a CPAT physical agility test, a panel interview, and a Fire Chief interview before receiving a job offer.
How many stations and apparatus does GRFD operate?
GRFD runs 11 fire stations with 20 front-line emergency vehicles, including engines, ladders, rescues, a hazmat unit, and water rescue apparatus including an airboat.
Is Grand Rapids Fire Department accredited?
Yes. GRFD has held international accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) since 2016, which it renews on a five-year cycle.
Who should I contact about applying to GRFD?
Recruitment questions can be directed to Lieutenant Derrick Hartwell at GRFDRecruiter@grcity.us or 616-456-3919, or through JoinGRFire.com.