Fire Department · Career
Minot Fire Department
Minot, ND · Ward County
60 firefighters split across three rotating 24/7 battalions (A, B, C) of 15 personnel each (one Battalion Chief, three Fire Captains, one Firefighter/Inspector, ten Firefighters per shift), plus roughly 8 administrative and training staff.
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Department careers page ↗Minot Fire Department traces its roots to a volunteer bucket brigade founded on September 13, 1895, transitioning to motorized apparatus in 1913 and becoming a fully paid department in 1931. The department grew alongside the city through the 20th century, adding Station 2 in 1965 and Station 3 at Minot International Airport in 1980, before relocating its headquarters to 2111 10th Street SW in 2001.
Today the department runs four operational stations staffed by three rotating battalions (A, B, and C), each fielding a Battalion Chief, three Fire Captains, a Firefighter/Inspector, and ten firefighters on 56-hour average work weeks. In 2016 the department opened Station 4 and added regional hazardous materials and structural collapse rescue capability, expanding its footprint beyond structural firefighting into aircraft rescue firefighting at the airport, technical and water rescue, and emergency medical response across a roughly 40-mile service radius.
The department also runs Minot's fire prevention and public education programs, including home smoke detector installation, hydrant maintenance, carbon monoxide inspections, and community outreach. Kelli Kronschnabel, hired in January 2016, became the department's first female fire chief.
MissionTo protect lives and property from fire through effective fire suppression and prevention measures, to reduce trauma and save lives through the provisions of rescue, extrication, and emergency medical services.
Minot Fire Department hires through the city's Civil Service Commission process, testing candidates on a written exam, a pass/fail physical agility test, and a two-panel oral interview, then ranking passing candidates on a certification list that hiring is made from. Testing is typically held once a year, with additional dates added depending on the certification list.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid driver's license
- Must pass a pre-employment physical exam and drug test
- Must pass a background investigation
- Ability to obtain national EMT certification within the probationary period
Hiring process
- Written exam (40% of overall score)
- Physical agility test (pass/fail)
- Two-panel oral interview (60% of overall score)
- Veteran's preference credit applied where applicable (5%, or 10% for disabled veterans)
- Candidates ranked on a Civil Service Commission certification list for hiring
Benefits
Health and life insurance, long-term disability, NDPERS pension, paid and sick leave, an employee assistance program, unemployment compensation, uniforms, training, and fitness evaluations are provided; optional benefits include vision, dental, dependent life insurance, and a 457(b) retirement savings supplement. Pay increases 5% upon completing the probationary period.
New hires complete three weeks of orientation training before being assigned to a crew, followed by ongoing training in firefighting, emergency medical treatment, hazardous materials response, technical rescue, and apparatus operations.
How is the Minot Fire Department organized?
The department is organized into three rotating battalions (A, B, and C). Each shift has 15 personnel: one Battalion Chief, three Fire Captains, one Firefighter/Inspector, and ten Firefighters, supported by an administration division.
What area and population does the department serve?
The department protects a community of about 35,000 residents with full-time fire/rescue, EMS, ARFF, and hazardous materials response. Its rescue squad covers a roughly 40-mile radius, providing emergency medical services, auto extrication, high-angle rescue, water/ice rescue with PADI-trained divers, and confined space rescue.
What are the minimum requirements to apply?
Applicants need a high school diploma or GED and a valid driver's license, and must pass a pre-employment physical exam, drug test, and background investigation. Firefighters must be able to obtain national EMT certification within the probationary period.
What does the hiring process look like?
Candidates take a written exam (40% of the score) and a pass/fail physical agility test, then go through a two-panel oral interview (60% of the score). Veteran's preference credit is applied where applicable, and passing candidates are ranked on a Civil Service Commission certification list.
What training do new hires receive?
New firefighters complete three weeks of orientation training before being assigned to a crew, followed by ongoing training in firefighting, emergency medical treatment, hazmat response, technical rescue, and apparatus operations.