Fire Department · Career
Sioux Falls Fire Rescue
Sioux Falls, SD · Minnehaha County
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Department careers page ↗Sioux Falls Fire Rescue (SFFR) traces its roots to 1900, when a fire that destroyed the Cataract Hotel prompted the city to establish a full-time, paid fire department. More than a century later, SFFR has grown into a full-service career department organized into divisions covering Operations, Training, Fire Prevention, Professional Standards, and EMS, with roughly 170 career firefighters and civilian staff supporting them.
SFFR responds to fires, medical emergencies, and a wide range of other calls out of nine stations across Sioux Falls, and pairs an ISO Class 1 Public Protection Classification with reaccredited status through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) — a distinction held by a small fraction of departments nationwide and one SFFR has now maintained for roughly two decades.
The department recruits new members through an annual Cadet Academy process: a single yearly application window, a virtual entrance exam, and a competitive hiring process (physical test, psychological evaluation, medical exam, and background check) leading to a paid, 15-week academy that trains cadets in firefighting and prepares them for National Registry EMT certification.
Sioux Falls Fire Rescue hires firefighters through an annual Cadet Academy: applications open once a year (recent cycles opened April 20 and closed mid-May), followed by a virtual entrance exam, physical test, psychological evaluation, medical exam, and background check, with conditional offers going to top-ranked candidates for a 15-week paid academy starting in early 2027 for the most recent cycle.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Age 21 to 44
- Valid driver's license
- Vision correctable to at least 20/40 in each eye
- Non-smoking
- No prior firefighting or EMS experience required
Hiring process
- Submit application during the annual window
- Virtual entrance exam
- Candidate ranking by combined score
- Conditional job offer to top applicants
- Physical ability test
- Psychological evaluation
- Medical exam and background check
- 15-week paid Cadet Academy
Benefits
City of Sioux Falls employees participate in the South Dakota Retirement System (SDRS) with an 8% employee contribution matched 8% by the City (no state income tax), vest after 3 years, and have access to an Employee Assistance Program (8 free sessions per household member per incident per year) plus eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Selected cadets complete a paid, 15-week Cadet Academy covering firefighting and emergency medical response, preparing recruits for National Registry EMT certification.
How often does Sioux Falls Fire Rescue hire new firefighters?
SFFR runs a single annual Cadet Academy hiring cycle rather than hiring on a rolling basis; applications typically open in spring and close about a month later.
Do I need prior firefighting or EMS experience to apply?
No. SFFR requires only a high school diploma or GED, and no previous firefighting or emergency medical services experience is required to apply for the Cadet Academy.
What is the Cadet Academy?
It's a paid, 15-week training academy for newly hired cadets that covers firefighting fundamentals and emergency medical response, preparing recruits for National Registry EMT certification.
What ISO rating and accreditation does SFFR hold?
Sioux Falls Fire Rescue holds an ISO Class 1 Public Protection Classification and is a reaccredited agency through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI).