Careers in the Urbana Fire Department
Firefighting is more than a job. It's a career, an identity, a family, a life. Typically, fire departments are highly structured organizations that operate with a clear chain of command. This means that a successful firefighter is able to respect authority and respond to directions from a superior officer.
Firefighters answer far more medical calls than fire calls. The Urbana Fire Department responded to 5,015 calls in 2016. Of those, only 3.5 percent were fire-related, while 53 percent were medical calls. However, fire calls can still be serious and sometimes result in fatalities. Firefighters typically see people in the worst situations: victims of accidents, medical emergencies, and serious burns. The mental and emotional demands of this position cannot be overstated.
A firefighter's work schedule consists of 24 hours on duty and 48 hours off duty. A typical workweek consists of 55.08 hours, although some firefighters work more depending on staffing needs or serious incidents. Holidays, vacations, and other leave days are allotted by sign-ups, with the most senior members of the department having the first choice.
Unlike an office job, working as a firefighter occurs in an environment with close quarters where you are constantly around your coworkers, even when you eat, sleep, and relax. Firefighters in the City of Urbana enjoy a competitive benefits package and representation through the International Association of Firefighters.
Qualifications
- Age: At least 20 years old and under 35 years old (as of the date you test), unless exempted under state statute (65 ILCS 5/10-1- 7.1). Exemptions are allowed for military service and volunteer, paid-on-call, part-time and full-time firefighters meeting certain conditions. No candidate will be hired unless they have reached the age of 21 at the time of offer.
- Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent.
- Driver’s License: Valid driver’s license (a valid Illinois driver’s license is required at the time of hire).
- Citizenship: Must be a United States citizen or legally authorized to work in the United States (must meet I-9 requirements).
- Physical Agility: Must provide proof of completion of the Candidate Physical Ability Test and proof of passing the Ladder Climb Test with any licensed agency issued no more than 12 months prior to the written exam date. The Candidate Physical Ability Test and Ladder Climb certification must also be valid at the time of a conditional employment offer.
- Residency: No residency requirement to test. If you are hired by the Urbana Fire Department, firefighters are required to live within a 35-mile radius of the corporate limits of the City of Urbana. Check to see if you reside within these limits here: Urbana Residency Requirement Map
- Special Qualifications: No felony convictions and no misdemeanors which preclude service as a firefighter by state statute (65 ILCS 5/10-1-7.1(i).