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Fire Department Employment Opportunities
The City of Peoria is accepting applications for the following Firefighter testing process.
Please visit our application website to apply online.
Contact the Recruitment Team
Do you have questions or want to learn more about joining the Peoria Fire Department? If you wish to learn about the application process, the qualifications for the job, or what it’s like to be a firefighter, our recruitment team is here to help.
Choose one of several easy ways to get in touch:
Fill out the online recruitment form for a recruiter to get back to you
Scan QR Code to PFD Recruitment Team (fastest)
Email the recruitment team.
Apply online
Age: Minimum age at the time of hire is 21 years old. The maximum age at the time of application is 34 years old.
Exceptions: Applicants having previous full-time employment in an Illinois Fire Department or with an Illinois Fire Protection District; OR applicants who have served the hiring department (as a volunteer, paid-on-call, or part-time) for five (5) years before the Department begins to use full-time firefighters.
Education: Graduation from High School or GED equivalent minimum to apply. Applicants with Fire Science college courses or degrees in Fire Science or related fields and emergency medical technician (EMT) certification are a plus.
Citizenship: Hold United States citizenship or have legal permanent residency in the U.S.
Driver's License: Must possess a valid driver's license
Record: Must agree to be fingerprinted and found not to have been convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors as listed in Illinois State Statutes.
Residency: Applicants need not be residents of the City to apply. If hired, principal residence in the City of Peoria must be established or maintained by the end of your one-year probationary period. (After 10 full years, the employee may reside outside the City within a twenty (20) mile radius of the Peoria Fire Central headquarters)
Cannabis: The Illinois Cannabis Regulation & Tax Act does not authorize the recreational use of cannabis by firefighters.
Orientation to Applicants (Not Mandatory)
Dates: Friday, April 4, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 5, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location: Fire Training Academy, 7130 N. Galena Road, Peoria, IL 61615
CPAT Orientation Sessions
Please contact the Fire Training Academy at 309-494-8721 to schedule an appointment.
- Tuesday, April 8, 2025 – 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Thursday, April 10, 2025 – 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday, April 12, 2025 – 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
CPAT Open Gym – This is an opportunity to become familiar with the CPAT equipment and testing components and work on any areas of the testing process. You can come at any time during the time period to take advantage of the extra help. You are not required to schedule an appointment for Open Gym.
The days are listed below: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 15, 2025 Thursday, April 17, 2025
- Tuesday, April 22, 2025 Thursday, April 24, 2025
- Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Thursday, May 1, 2025
- Tuesday, May 6, 2025 Thursday, May 8, 2025
- Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Thursday, May 15, 2025
- Tuesday, May 20, 2025 Thursday, May 22, 2025
- Tuesday, May 27, 2025 Thursday, May 29, 2025
- Tuesday, June 3, 2025 Tuesday, June 10, 2025
- Tuesday, June 17, 2025 Tuesday, June 24, 2025
CPAT Timed Practice Test Sessions
Please contact the Fire Training Academy at 309-494-8721 to schedule an appointment.
- Thursday, June 5, 2025 - 2:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday, June 7, 2025 – 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Thursday, June 12, 2025 – 2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday, June 14, 2025 – 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
CPAT Final Test Examination
Please contact the Fire Training Academy at 309-494-8721 to schedule an appointment.
- Friday, June 20, 2025 - 2:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday, June 21, 2025 - 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Friday, June 27, 2025 – 2:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday, June 28, 2025 – 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
In-Person Written Exam (Mandatory)
Date: Thursday, July 17, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
Friday, July 18, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 19, 2025, 9:00 a.m.
Location: Fire Training Academy, 7130 N. Galena Road, Peoria, IL 61615
No Charge for City of Peoria residents for CPAT Card (Must have a proof of residency such as a valid State of Illinois driver’s license or Illinois I.D. card, to be provided at the time of the test.)
No Fee for All Participants for the Following:
- Participation in the Orientation Sessions.
- Participation in Open Gym Sessions
- Participation in the Practice CPAT Test Sessions.
- If you pass the CPAT Test in the Practice Test Sessions, you may obtain your CPAT card (No fee for Peoria residents/ $150.00 fee for non-resident)
Non-residents CPAT Card Certification
$150.00 for non-residents of the City of Peoria.
Also, you can satisfy the State requirement to perform a ladder card at the time of your CPAT card certification.
Physical Requirements: Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position and pass the CPAT (Candidate Physical Agility Test).
Examinations: Must pass CPAT and written exams for placement into the Eligibility Pool. If selected for hire, must pass background investigation, oral interviews, polygraph, psychological and medical examinations including a drug screen prior to hire. Website: https://nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/cpat_info.cfm.
Testing Guidelines: When the testing process begins, you will need to fill out an application either online or get a paper copy (City Hall, 419 Fulton Street, Room 403, Peoria, IL) and submit the required documents (photocopies of your driver’s license, certified birth certificate and high school diploma or transcript or GED certification) to participate in the testing process. You can contact Debra Bush, Affirmative Employment Specialist at 309-494-8578 with any questions or additional information.
Written Exam (Mandatory) (Held in person at the site listed below.) – This testing period there will be three (3) days offered to take the written examination in person. You can only attend one examination date of your choice.
Online Written Exam: You must contact the National Testing Network (NTN) by visiting the www.nationaltestingnetwork.com website to schedule your test.
In-Person Written Testing: No Admittance after 6:00 p.m. or 9:00 a.m. (no exceptions)
In-Person Written Exam (Mandatory)
Date: Thursday, June 17, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
Friday, June 18, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 19, 2025, 9:00 a.m.
Location: Fire Training Academy, 7130 N. Galena Road, Peoria, IL 61615
This test was developed to allow fire departments to obtain pools of trainable candidates who are physically able to perform essential job tasks at fire scenes.
All CPAT Sessions will be held at: Provided once registered.
Physical Requirement: Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position and pass the CPAT (Candidate Physical Agility Test).
Physical Examination: Must pass CPAT and written exams for placement into the Eligibility Pool. If selected for hire, must pass background investigation, oral interviews, polygraph, psychological, and medical examinations, including a drug screen, prior to hire.
CPAT card must be valid within one (1) year of the Written Examination. You must pass the CPAT examination, submit a completed application and the required documents and take the written examination to be in the Firefighter Eligibility Pool.
CPAT Orientation Sessions
Please contact the Fire Training Academy at 309-494-8721 to schedule an appointment.
- Tuesday, April 8, 2025 – 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Thursday, April 10, 2025 – 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday, April 12, 2025 – 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
CPAT Open Gym – This is an opportunity to become familiar with the CPAT equipment and testing components and work on any areas of the testing process. You can come at any time during the time period to take advantage of the extra help. You are not required to schedule an appointment for Open Gym.
The days are listed below: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 15, 2025 Thursday, April 17, 2025
- Tuesday, April 22, 2025 Thursday, April 24, 2025
- Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Thursday, May 1, 2025
- Tuesday, May 6, 2025 Thursday, May 8, 2025
- Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Thursday, May 15, 2025
- Tuesday, May 20, 2025 Thursday, May 22, 2025
- Tuesday, May 27, 2025 Thursday, May 29, 2025
- Tuesday, June 3, 2025 Tuesday, June 10, 2025
- Tuesday, June 17, 2025 Tuesday, June 24, 2025
CPAT Timed Practice Test Sessions
Please contact the Fire Training Academy at 309-494-8721 to schedule an appointment.
- Thursday, June 5, 2025 - 2:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday, June 7, 2025 – 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Thursday, June 12, 2025 – 2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday, June 14, 2025 – 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
CPAT Final Test Examination
Please contact the Fire Training Academy at 309-494-8721 to schedule an appointment.
- Friday, June 20, 2025 - 2:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday, June 21, 2025 - 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Friday, June 27, 2025 – 2:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday, June 28, 2025 – 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Fees:
$0.00 - No Charge for Resident of the City of Peoria (Must have a proof of residency such as a valid State of Illinois driver’s license or Illinois I.D. card, to be provided at the time of the test.)
$150.00 - Non- residents of the City of Peoria
Starting at $67,594.39 - annual salary
Excellent medical, dental and vision plans
Paid holidays & vacation days
Retirement benefits, including pension plan and deferred compensation
All training paid, including academy