Fire Department · Career
Wauwatosa Fire Department
WAUWATOSA, WI · Milwaukee County
The Wauwatosa Fire Department serves the City of Wauwatosa, a suburb of Milwaukee, with a career staff of about 106 personnel responding from four fire stations. It covers roughly 13 square miles and a population of approximately 48,000.
The department runs a three-platoon system with firefighters working 24 hours on and 24 hours off across a 56-hour week. Members deliver both fire suppression and emergency medical services, and the department credentials firefighters at the EMT level with paramedic-level care a strong preference.
In 2026, the Police and Fire Commission appointed Barbara Kadrich as the department's first female fire chief, a 30-year veteran of the fire service.
Wauwatosa hires entry-level Firefighter/EMTs through a joint recruitment process run together with the City of West Allis and the North Shore Fire Department; the agencies share a single application and testing effort but each maintains its own eligibility list to fill current and future vacancies. Applications are submitted online through the City of Wauwatosa's employment portal on governmentjobs.com.
Candidates must already hold Firefighter Level 1 certification (Wisconsin or IFSAC), an EMT-Basic license, and a current CPAT card before applying. The department also runs an unpaid Intern Firefighter program that lets qualified candidates gain hands-on field experience alongside experienced personnel.
Requirements
- At least 18 years of age
- High school diploma
- Valid Wisconsin driver's license
- Wisconsin Firefighter Level 1 certification or an IFSAC-sealed equivalent
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic license
- Current CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) certificate, no older than 12 months at conditional offer
- Non-smoker certification
- Excellent moral character
Hiring process
- Submit online application with required supplemental documents (certifications, diplomas, licenses)
- Departmental interview (top applicants)
- Personnel Evaluation Profile assessment
- Police and Fire Commission interview
- Medical and psychological evaluation with drug screen
- Background investigation
Benefits
The posting describes a comprehensive municipal benefits package for the Firefighter/EMT position; specific benefit details are provided within the recruitment materials.
Entry-level Firefighter/EMT role; applicants must already hold Firefighter Level 1 certification and an EMT license before hire. A one-year probationary period follows appointment.
What certifications do I need before applying?
You must already hold Wisconsin Firefighter Level 1 certification (or an IFSAC-sealed equivalent), an EMT-Basic license, and a current CPAT certificate no older than 12 months at the time of a conditional offer.
How do I apply to become a Wauwatosa firefighter?
Applications are submitted online through the City of Wauwatosa's employment portal on governmentjobs.com. Wauwatosa recruits jointly with West Allis and the North Shore Fire Department, so one application feeds the shared process, though each department keeps its own eligibility list.
What does the hiring process involve?
Steps include the online application, a departmental interview for top applicants, a Personnel Evaluation Profile assessment, a Police and Fire Commission interview, a medical and psychological evaluation with drug screen, and a background investigation. Failure in any one segment disqualifies the candidate.
What is the schedule?
Firefighters work a three-platoon system, 24 hours on and 24 hours off, averaging a 56-hour work week.
What does the job pay?
Wauwatosa's Firefighter/EMT range cited in the joint recruitment runs from about $55,628 to $92,682 (2023-2024 rates, subject to labor negotiation).
Is there a way to gain experience before I'm eligible?
Yes. The department runs an unpaid Intern Firefighter program that lets qualified candidates gain hands-on field experience working alongside experienced professionals.