Become a Firefighter
Established in 1957, the Brooklyn Park Fire Department (BPFD) has a proud and distinguished history of service to the residents, businesses, and visitors of Brooklyn Park. A highly dedicated and talented team of women and men answer over 8,200 calls for service each year.
Brooklyn Park firefighters are driven by a desire to serve with excellence and compassion, and are highly trained and skilled in emergency medical care, fire suppression, technical rescue, hazardous materials response, and other essential skills to safely, efficiently, and effectively answer the needs of those who require emergency care.
Department personnel are also actively involved in proactive community-wide safety initiatives through public education and outreach, fire and life safety code inspections, and community risk reduction activities.
About Brooklyn Park Firefighters
Providing coverage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, Brooklyn Park firefighters are always ready to respond when called. Assigned to one of three shifts, full-time firefighters work approximately ten, 24-hour shifts a month. Shifts start at 7 a.m. and conclude the following morning at 7 a.m. (click here to view the 2022 shift schedule). Working alongside another firefighter and reporting directly to a Captain or Battalion Chief, firefighters respond to calls, participate in classroom and hands-on training, assist with inspections, and actively engage with the community. Part-time firefighters work together with full-time staff and backfill open positions on shift. During a 24-hour shift, Brooklyn Park firefighters will answer approximately 25 calls.
Grounded in trust and integrity, Brooklyn Park firefighters are action-oriented to serve. No one shift will be like another; no one call will be like the next. Recognized as a leader in the fire service, Brooklyn Park prides itself on building strong relationships and fostering an environment of learning, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Join Our Team
If you are passionate about serving your community and want to be part of something larger than yourself, we hope that you will consider a career with the Brooklyn Park Fire Department. Whether you have no prior training or experience in the fire service or are an existing career firefighter looking to join an action-packed, growing Department, Brooklyn Park is the place to be!
Firefighter Cadet
The Firefighter Cadet is an entry-level classification into the Brooklyn Park Fire Department. Those hired into this classification will participate in a 14+ week BPFD Fire/EMS Cadet Academy to (1) receive intensive classroom and field training in the theories, techniques, methods, and procedures of emergency medical and firefighting, and (2) acquire knowledge and understanding of the overall organization and operation of the Department and the role and responsibilities of a firefighter.
Click here to learn more about the BPFD Fire/EMS Cadet Academy!
Minimum Qualifications
- 18 years old.
- Valid driver’s license.
- High school diploma or GED
During the course of the Fire/EMS Academy, Firefighter Cadets are employed full-time by the City of Brooklyn Park and receive full-time wages and benefits. The Firefighter Cadet must successfully graduate from the BPFD Fire/EMS Cadet Academy, which includes obtaining the required fire and medical certifications/licenses, to be appointed as a Firefighter with the City.
Upon graduation of the BPFD Fire/EMS Cadet Academy and completion of on-the-job training, Cadets are promoted to the position of Firefighter. The current salary range for Brooklyn Park Firefighters is $60,948.16 – $83,836.48 annually.
Individuals with prior fire, EMS, or other public safety experience are welcome to apply to become a Firefighter Cadet!
Hiring Status
The city is currently not accepting applications for Firefighter Cadet at this time. The Firefighter Cadet eligibility list that was established in 2020 is being used to hire Firefighter Cadets for the 2022 Academy. The city’s Human Resources Division will be contacting candidates who are selected to move forward in the next part of the hiring process.
Lateral Firefighters
The Brooklyn Park Fire Department provides an incredible opportunity for current career firefighters seeking to join a progressive, growing, and professional fire department that is deeply rooted in the community and has a strong foundation of core values.
To be considered in the lateral hiring process, candidates must be currently employed as a full-time career firefighter and have at least one-year of full-time career firefighting experience in a non-probationary capacity. Additional minimum requirements will be included in the job posting at the time applications are being received.
The ideal candidate will have a strong fire service background and experience as a career firefighter responding to fires, medical emergencies, rescues, hazardous materials incidents, and other emergencies. The candidate must demonstrate a commitment to the Brooklyn Park Fire Department’s core values of service, trust, excellence, and professionalism.
Hiring Wage (based on a 2,912 work schedule)
The city will offer a competitive wage based on prior experience, training, and education. The current salary range is $20.93- $28.79 per hour (based on a 2,912 shift schedule).
Prior experience training, and education will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, including the size of the agency the candidate is transferring from and their relative experience working in a similar city, similar call volume, and similar incident types as Brooklyn Park.
Note that wages are based on the 2022/2023 contract and a 2,912 shift schedule.
Hiring Status
The city is currently not accepting applications for Lateral Firefighters.
Part-Time Firefighter
At this time, the Department is not seeking any part-time firefighters.
Benefits
In addition to providing employees with a robust benefits package, including health, dental, life, and disability insurance options, firefighters receive:
- Access to free, confidential mental health check-ins and additional follow-up sessions with a licensed, public safety focused clinician (off-site)
- Two sets of custom-fit firefighting turn-out gear
- Individually issued portable radio
- Individually issued ballistic vest and carrier
- Uniform allowance
- Access to on-site fitness equipment
- Professional development opportunities including on-shift and department-wide training