Becoming a Firefighter

Located in the heart of Minnesota, on the banks of the Mississippi River, St. Cloud is approximately 70 miles northwest of Minneapolis-St. Paul and serves as a hub for commerce in Central Minnesota. St. Cloud is situated in the world-famous Lakes Region, and is one of Minnesota’s fastest growing metropolitan areas, with a daily influx population of over 190,000, including thousands of students on the campus of St. Cloud State University. St. Cloud is recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of the best places in the country to live and do business. Our community’s central location in the state has fostered a diverse, vibrant economy based on manufacturing, agriculture, national and international industry, and retail sales and services. With a colorful art scene, hundreds of restaurants and shops, exceptional recreational opportunities and welcoming business climate, St. Cloud is a coveted place to live and work. Housing choices in St. Cloud cover the entire spectrum, from upscale rentals and condominiums to quiet tree-lined neighborhoods, executive housing and rural homesteads. Best of all, the price of housing and other cost-of-living elements are pleasantly affordable, so residents are able to get more value for every dollar.

The St. Cloud Fire Department is a full-service, fully-career organization operating out of five fire stations. We have a motivated team that enjoys strong external stakeholder support within the community, quality equipment, and ongoing training for excellence.

Located in the heart of downtown St. Cloud, Fire Station 1 serves as the department’s headquarters, housing our prevention services, administration, training and education services, and fire apparatus maintenance, in addition to housing three full-time emergency response units. Our crews staff stations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which allows for quality response anywhere in the city.

Our emergency units respond to approximately 8,500 incidents per year. The St. Cloud Fire Department also provides hazardous materials incident response. Our Chemical Assessment and Emergency Response Teams provide primary coverage for approximately ten counties in central Minnesota. The St. Cloud Fire Department offers quality Emergency Medical Services to ensure the highest level of care is provided by the closest unit responding. Additional services provided by the St. Cloud Fire Department include:

  • Airport rescue and firefighting
  • Confined space rescue
  • Extrication and complex rescue services
  • Fire inspection and plan review
  • Ice and water rescue
  • Public fire education
  • Technical and high-angle rope rescue

Requirements

  • Completed a recognized Firefighter I and II course fulfilling the requirements of the Nation Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 1001 (Must have classroom and practical instruction).
  • Current IFSAC Firefighter II Certificate.
  • Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board (EMSRB) certified Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), or higher.
  • Valid Minnesota issued driver's license that is unrestricted except for corrective lenses, or able to attain one by appointment.
  • Sample documents of minimum requirements.

How to Apply

  • Fire Department Application. Failure to provide the data and documentation required in the supplemental application will result in rejection of the application. Please only include required documentation.
  • Applications will be accepted by mail, in person or by emailing one PDF attachment to hr@ci.stcloud.mn.us.

I Submitted My Application. What Happens Next?

Applications are only accepted during an active recruitment. Candidates who successfully meet all requirements will be emailed and invited to the Assessment Center to take a written exam and a job skills assessment. Pending a passing written score, the job skills assessment will include a ladder climb and search scenario. 


General Information