Firefighter | 2026

Firefighter

Under general supervision performs work of routine difficulty in fire suppression and prevention and the maintenance of fire department property and equipment; and performs related work as required. Annual Pay: $67,130 per year effective July 1, 2026 The City of Davenport offers a comprehensive benefit package. The cost for the Firefighter family plan for medical, dental, vision and prescription is only $94.89 per month for 2026 and starts on the first day of employment. DFD Total Compensation: Click the Total Compensation document to view the salary and benefits breakdown for firefighters beginning July 1, 2026. Residency must be established within 20 miles of the corporate city limits of Davenport and can include within the State of Illinois. Click on the Residency Map for further information. Tattoos are allowed, except on the head, neck, face and hands. A single ring tattoo (one per hand) is allowed. Tattoos must comply with the Department's Standard Operating Procedure.

Examples Of Duties

Rescue victims from burning buildings and accident sites. Rescue victims from flood waters, ponds, creeks and rivers. Search burning buildings to locate fire victims. Administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to injured persons. Dress with equipment such as fire resistant clothing and breathing apparatus. Drive and operate fire fighting vehicles and equipment. Move toward the source of a fire using knowledge of types of fires, construction design, building material, and physical layout of properties. Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents. Assess fires and situations and report conditions to superiors to receive instructions, using two-way radios. Position and climb ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings, or to rescue individuals from burning structures. Create openings in buildings for ventilation or entrance, using axes, chisels, crowbars, electric saws, or core cutters. Lay hose lines and connect them to water supplies. Operate pumps connect to high-pressure hoses. Collaborate with police to respond to accidents, disasters, and arson investigation calls. Take action to contain hazardous chemicals that might catch fire, leak or spill. Select and attach hose nozzles, depending on fire type, and direct streams of water or chemicals onto fires. Participate in physical training activities to maintain a high level of physical fitness. Participate in courses, seminars and conferences, and study fire science literature, to learn firefighting techniques. Inspect fire sites after flames have been extinguished to ensure that there is no further danger. Clean and maintain fire stations and fire fighting equipment and apparatus. Inspect buildings for fire hazards and compliance with fire prevention ordinances, testing and checking smoke alarms and fire suppression equipment as necessary. Inform and educate the public on fire prevention. Protect property from water and smoke using water proof salvage covers, smoke ejectors, and deodorants. Establish firelines to prevent unauthorized persons from entering areas near fires. Salvage property by removing broken glass, pumping out water, and ventilating buildings to remove smoke. Inspects assigned district to assure thorough knowledge of all streets, alleys and buildings; participates in fire prevention inspection of residential and business buildings and contents; inspects and makes minor repairs to fire hydrants; performs general maintenance and cleaning work in the upkeep of departmental apparatus, equipment, furnishings and structures; cleans and washes walls and floors, washes, hangs and dries hose; washes, cleans and polishes apparatus.

Qualifications

Must be at least 21 years of age at time of list certification. Must possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Must successfully complete the Fire Recruit Academy. Must possess or obtain Firefighter I, Firefighter II, HazMat Awareness, and HazMat Operations certifications issued by the State of Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau within one (1) year of appointment. Must obtain an Iowa or National Registry EMT-B certificate within one (1) year of appointment and maintain throughout duration of employment. Must possess a valid driver's license upon application. Must obtain a valid driver's license required to operate fire apparatus in the State of Iowa within one (1) year of appointment and maintain throughout the duration of employment. Must pass a background check as prescribed by the City of Davenport. Must pass a physical examination with a drug screen and mental health evaluation as prescribed by the City and as required by the Municipal Fire and Police Retirement System of Iowa (MFPRSI). Must reside within 20 miles of the corporate limits of the City of Davenport within one (1) year of hire and maintain residency throughout the duration of employment.

Knowledge and Skills

Public Safety and Security - Knowledge or relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions. Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. Educating and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance. Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads. English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process. Active Listening -- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Coordination -- Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. Critical Thinking -- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Operation Monitoring -- Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. Operation and Control -- Controlling operations of equipment or systems. Service Orientation -- Actively looking for ways to help people. Instructing -- Teaching others how to do something. Judgment and Decision Making -- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. Speaking -- Talking to others to convey information effectively. Problem Sensitivity -- The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. Reaction Time -- The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears. Arm-Hand Steadiness -- The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position. Manual Dexterity -- The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects. Multilimb Coordination -- The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion. Response Orientation -- The ability to choose quickly between two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part. Deductive Reasoning -- The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. Oral Comprehension -- The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. Rate Control -- The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene. Speech Recognition -- The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.