It's Your Turn! Opportunities with GFD
Firefighter Testing
GFD is dedicated to hiring firefighters who are committed to the compassionate and professional delivery of emergency medical and fire suppression services to the citizens of Galesburg. We want individuals who are personally dedicated to doing a challenging job and doing it right! Follow the Galesburg Firefighters Association facebook page to stay updated on all things GFD.
Scroll down to see the details step by step of the entire process. It is a lot of information, but nearly ALL your questions are answered below.
Ride Along Program
The Ride Along program provides the public and students an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the duties and responsibilities of Fire Department personnel by directly observing their job related activities. This procedure shall establish guidelines for the safety and benefit of those who choose to participate in the ride along program. Please see all the details here.
GFD Explorer Program
In 2023, GFD initiated a Fire Explorer Program for youth aged 14 - 21. Exploring provides exciting activities and mentorship for youth looking to discover their future. GFD wants to provide an opportunity for young people wanting to uncover the possibilities for a career in the Fire Department. Becoming an explorer is a great place to start! Anyone interested in joining can have their parent or guardian (if under 18 years old) contact GFD to learn more.
Firefighter Testing Process
- APPLICATIONS: Applications are no longer being taken.
- AGILITY TEST:
- WRITTEN TEST:
- INTERVIEWS:
- Link to online practice test (link takes you to Stanard & Assoc. to set up an account. Enter Galesburg as the location. The practice test is $5.)
- Citizenship: Applicant must be a citizen of the United States.
- Age: May test at age 20 but must be 21 years of age by date of appointment or not more than 35 years of age at the time the final eligibility list is posted. Exception: Firefighters previously employed in a full-time capacity with a paid municipal department. References: 65 ILCS 5/10-2.10-6 and 5/10-2.1-26
- Education: High School diploma or equivalent.
- Driver’s License: Must possess a valid driver’s license; be able to safely and competently operate a motor vehicle and obtain Class B non-CDL within 12 months following appointment.
REGISTRATION: 8am - 8:30am
Candidates must bring a valid Driver's License. If a candidate has a current CPAT or Ladder certification, bring the original certification(s) to Registration for the Commission to verify. CPAT & Ladder Climb
ORIENTATION: 8:30 am
All candidates that submit a complete application and have registered are required to attend the orientation. DO NOT BE LATE.
* F&P Commission will provide testing information.
AGILITY TEST: (Immediately after Orientation)
Section I - 1.5 Mile Run
Complete 1.5 mile timed
* Ages 21-29 under 13:46 minutes
* Ages 30-34 under 14:31 minutes
Section II - Obstacle Course
All Section I tasks MUST be completed in a cumulate time of less than 4 minutes 55 seconds
Section III - Ladder Climb
Climb and descend a 60' aerial ladder in 2 minutes or less
Candidates must bring a valid Driver's License. If a candidate has a current CPAT or Ladder certification, bring the original certification(s) to Registration for the Commission to verify. CPAT & Ladder Climb
Candidates who have a CPAT certification will not have to participate in Sections I and II of the Agility Test.
Candidates who have a Ladder Climb Certification will not have to participate in Section III of the Agility Test.
Candidates who have the CPAT @ Ladder Climb Certifications will not participate in the Agility Test, but must show up for the Orientation.
ORIENTATION: 8:30 am
All candidates that submit a complete application and have registered are required to attend the orientation. DO NOT BE LATE.
* F&P Commission will provide testing information.
AGILITY TEST: (Immediately after Orientation)
Section I - 1.5 Mile Run
Complete 1.5 mile timed
* Ages 21-29 under 13:46 minutes
* Ages 30-34 under 14:31 minutes
Section II - Obstacle Course
All Section I tasks MUST be completed in a cumulate time of less than 4 minutes 55 seconds
Section III - Ladder Climb
Climb and descend a 60' aerial ladder in 2 minutes or less
DATE TO BE DETERMINED.
TIME: 1pm up to 4pm (Candidates can leave once finished)
LOCATION: To Be Announced
Only candidates who passed the Physical Agility Test or those that provide current CPAT and/or Ladder Certification will be permitted to participate in the written examination.
Written exams will be graded and candidates will be notified via email of their ranking. Those that fail will be eliminated from the process.
TIME: 1pm up to 4pm (Candidates can leave once finished)
LOCATION: To Be Announced
Only candidates who passed the Physical Agility Test or those that provide current CPAT and/or Ladder Certification will be permitted to participate in the written examination.
Written exams will be graded and candidates will be notified via email of their ranking. Those that fail will be eliminated from the process.
The Commission will prepare a Preliminary Eligibility List of the candidates who have attended the Orientation, presented proof of current CPAT and/or Ladder Certification or passed the Physical Agility Test and passed the Written Test. The top 20 candidates’ names that appear upon the Preliminary Eligibility List shall be subject to an interview.
INTERVIEW: DATE TO BE DETERMINED
The Commissioners will interview each candidate to evaluate their speech, alertness, ability to communicate, judgment, emotional stability, self-confidence, social skill and general fitness for the position. Candidates who fail to successfully complete the interview will be eliminated from the process.
The Commissioners will interview each candidate to evaluate their speech, alertness, ability to communicate, judgment, emotional stability, self-confidence, social skill and general fitness for the position. Candidates who fail to successfully complete the interview will be eliminated from the process.
All scored examinations shall be based upon a scale of 1 – 100. The Written test score will be multiplied by 60 percent and the Interview score multiplied by 40 percent to achieve a total cumulative score. Candidates shall be placed upon the Initial Eligibility List in rank order, highest-scoring first.
Within 10 days of the posting of the Initial Eligibility Register, candidates listed may make a claim for preference points. Failure to timely make a claim for preference points shall constitute a waiver thereof. The Fire Department’s Secretary will email candidates at this time with a form to be completed. Once completed, the Candidate will return within the 10-day limit, the form along with the proper documentation to claim their preference points.
Preference points shall be awarded as listed below. (Documentation must be proved within the 10 days to be counted towards Preference points. Any certifications received AFTER the 10 days shall NOT be counted nor will later certifications change a candidate's standing on the Final Eligibility List):
- Military Preference – 5 points – Awarded to applicants who have served a minimum of 12 months on active duty in the service of the U.S. Military and who have either been honorably discharged or, in lieu of an honorable discharge, are still serving in an active or inactive reserve status AT THE TIME of application.
- Education Preference – 5 points – Candidates must have an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science or Emergency Medical Services from an accredited Community or Junior College or a Bachelor’s Degree in any field from an accredited College or University AT THE TIME of application.
- EMT Preference – 5 points – Applicants must be licensed as an EMT AT THE TIME of application.
- Residence Preference - 5 points - Applicants must be a resident of Galesburg with proof to claim.
- Additional Points – 5 points – Applicants must be certified or licensed by the State of Illinois as a Firefighter Basic or Advanced by the Illinois State Fire Marshall’s Office AT THE TIME of application.
The Preference points will be added to the Initial Eligibility List to create the Final Eligibility List.
Any person whose name appears on the Final Eligibility List may opt to pass appointment once. It shall be the option of the Board, should a candidate choose to pass appointment a second time, to strike from or maintain upon the register the name of such candidate without otherwise altering the candidate’s original position on the List.
If an opening occurs, the next candidate on the list will be contacted to determine if he/she is still interested in working for the Galesburg Fire Department. The Commission, at its discretion, may bypass a higher ranking candidate and appoint a lower-ranking candidate if, in the Commission’s opinion, the lower ranking candidate is more qualified for the position and that candidate’s name appears within the top 5 percent of the names remaining on the list. The candidate is then subject to satisfactorily passing a background investigation, polygraph test, psychological examination, and a medical examination (to include, but not limited to: vision, hearing and drug/narcotics testing) all paid for by the Commission. An offer of employment shall be made to a candidate once they have passed all preemployment exams.
All appointments to the Fire Department shall be considered probationary for 12 months, commencing when the firefighter first reports for work with the Department. Final Certification of probationary firefighters shall be subject to successful completion of the Certified Fire Fighter Basic Training Course as prescribed by the Illinois Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education Board and license as an EMT-B within the prescribed probationary period.
The Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois (AFFI) provides information on their site about the CPAT, the Ladder Climb, what is involved, how to prepare for them, etc. The site also has links to three area locations that offer the CPAT and Ladder Climb tests!
Locations listed on the AFFI site:
PLEASE NOTE: The Galesburg Fire Department does NOT coordinate the CPAT or Ladder Climb Tests. To register or get more information, contact the above organizations directly.
A copy of the applicant's VALID* CPAT and/or Ladder Climb must be turned into GFD prior to testing. Candidates are required to bring their original certification(s) to the Orientation for registration.
Locations listed on the AFFI site:
PLEASE NOTE: The Galesburg Fire Department does NOT coordinate the CPAT or Ladder Climb Tests. To register or get more information, contact the above organizations directly.
A copy of the applicant's VALID* CPAT and/or Ladder Climb must be turned into GFD prior to testing. Candidates are required to bring their original certification(s) to the Orientation for registration.