Firefighter/Paramedic

Next Generation Of Lake Forest Firefighters

Now hiring - immediate openings available. Applications will be processed as they are received. NTN testing deadline: due at time of application submittal. Do you have a passion for people and community? Are you innovative, adaptive, and dependable? Apply to be the next member of the Lake Forest Fire Department!

Join the Lake Forest Fire Department and become part of a team committed to excellence in service and innovation. With a major renovation of Station 1 underway, our newly expanded, state-of-the-art public safety building will double our operational space and elevate your training and work environment. If you're ready to make a difference in a community that values its first responders, apply today and help shape the future of public safety in Lake Forest.

To apply for our 2026 eligibility list, review the online new hire orientation packet. There is no application fee.

Hiring process:

1. Written exam: Complete the exam through the National Testing Network (NTN) which is due at time of application submittal.
2. Spark Hire interviews: Candidates who pass the written exam must also complete a one-way video interview within seven days after receiving the invitation.
3. Board of Fire and Police Commissioners (BFPC) interviews: Candidates who pass the Spark Hire interview will be invited for an in-person interview with the BFPC. Dates and times are to be determined.
4. Preference points: Those passing the BFPC interview will be placed on a ranked Preliminary Eligibility List, at which point candidates may then apply for applicable preference points. Preference points must be claimed in writing, within 10 calendar days after posting of the Preliminary Eligibility List.

Examples of duties:

• Emergency medical service: Respond to and perform all necessary activities needed for the providing of emergency medical service to the public.
• Fire response: Respond to and perform all necessary activities needed for the extinguishing fires.
• Public engagement: Perform public education activities by performing home surveys, fire station tours, fire drills, block parties, and demonstrations as assigned.
• Vehicle and building maintenance: Perform custodial work and minor repairs on apparatus, vehicles, and buildings in a timely and complete manner.
• Certification: Maintain Paramedic certification per Illinois Department of Public Health requirements.
• Continuous training: Participate in training related to firefighting methods, vehicle and equipment operation and maintenance, emergency medical operations, fire prevention activities, and other fire department activities.

Qualifications:

Age: 21-35 years of age unless otherwise exempt by Illinois statute. Citizenship: must be a U.S. Citizen or qualified as a "protected individual" pursuant to 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3)(B). Driver's License: must possess or be able to obtain a valid class B non-CDL or equivalent driver's license. Eyesight/Vision: must have corrected vision to least 20/25. Education: at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Physical Ability: pass the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) and Ladder Endorsement within 12 months prior to interview with Board of Police and Fire Commissioners. CPAT test results will remain valid within one year prior to this date. Visit to learn more. Paramedic Certification: valid Illinois Department of Public Health EMT-Paramedic (IDPH EMT-P) license by date of hire.

City benefits include:

• BCBSIL PPO and HMO insurance options, Delta Dental, and VSP Vision Insurance
• Vacation, sick, holidays, emergency leave, and paternity leave available
• Roth, 457 and RHS accounts through Mission Square
• Pension funded by Illinois Article 4 Firefighters
• Education reimbursement, employee assistance programs, legal shield and Norton LifeLock discounts, public service loan forgiveness
• 1x salary guaranteed life insurance for employee through Securian, supplemental available for employee, spouse, and children