Fire Fighter / Paramedic Employment
Join the Plainfield Fire Protection District
The Plainfield Fire Protection District is looking for driven, energetic, and community-focused individuals ready to serve as Firefighter/Paramedics. We offer a career built on purpose — protecting 60,000 residents across 54 square miles with advanced life support EMS, fire suppression, technical rescue, and hazardous materials response.
Below you'll find everything you need to know about compensation, requirements, the hiring process, and how to apply.
View current eligibility list ↓
Salary & benefits
Health Insurance
BCBS HMO & PPO, dental, vision — employee pays 12% of premiums. Coverage for employee and dependents.
Life Insurance
$50,000 paid by District. Optional AFLAC and long-term disability available.
Retirement
Article IV Fire Pension. Optional 457 deferred compensation plans. VEBA contributions for post-retirement healthcare.
Tuition Reimbursement
$3,000 annually for continuing education and degree programs.
Paid Certifications
Up to $4,500 annually for certifications. $500 stipend per specialty team assignment.
Vacation
5 days after 1 year, scaling to 15 days at 20+ years. 96 hours holiday pay annually.
Sick Time
12 hours/month (144 hrs/year), max 2,016 hours. Good-attendance incentives deposited to VEBA. 25% buyout at retirement.
Longevity Pay
$2,550 added to annual salary after 10 years of service.
Uniforms & Equipment
Uniforms and PPE supplied upon hire. $550 annual allowance after first year.
Minimum requirements
To be eligible, candidates must meet all of the following
- At least 20 years old to apply (21 at time of conditional offer); under 35 at time of application, with statutory exceptions per 70 ILCS 705/16.06b(c)
- U.S. citizen or legally authorized to work in the United States
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid driver's license
- Illinois or National Registry EMT-P license at time of conditional offer — or current enrollment in an IDPH-approved paramedic program with proof of good standing
- CPAT with Ladder Climb certification — must be valid at application and at hire (2-year validity)
- OSFM Basic Operations Firefighter (BOF) / Firefighter II, or OSFM Record of Completion (valid 2 years)
- Valid CPR card
How hiring works
The process to become a Firefighter/Paramedic is governed by Illinois statute. Candidates are placed on an eligibility roster following a written exam, oral interview, and calculation of preference points. The eligibility roster is valid for 2 years.
Application
Submit your application and all required documentation through Public Safety Testing (PST) during the open application window.
Written Exam
Take the written exam in person at PFPD Headquarters or virtually during business hours. Study materials are provided in advance. All portions of testing are mandatory.
Initial Eligibility List
Results are forwarded to candidates via email. Candidates who passed are placed on the Initial Eligibility Roster.
Preference Points
Eligible candidates submit preference point claims in writing within 10 days of the Initial Eligibility List posting. Claims must be delivered in person or by mail to PFPD Headquarters.
Oral Interview
Candidates are assigned an interview time with the Board of Fire Commissioners at PFPD Headquarters. Bring 5 copies of your resume.
Final Eligibility Roster
All scores are combined and candidates are ranked. The roster is valid for 2 years. As vacancies occur, candidates are invited in numerical order for the pre-employment background investigation.
Background & Pre-Employment
Selected candidates complete a background investigation, medical evaluation, and psychological evaluation.
Conditional Offer
All offers are conditional until approved by the Board of Fire Commissioners for appointment.
Preference points
Up to 17 preference points may be claimed after the Initial Eligibility List is posted. Claims must be submitted in writing within 10 days or points are waived.
Veteran's Preference
Up to 5 pts1+ year of active U.S. military service with honorable discharge. Requires DD-214 (long form) and a sworn affidavit.
Experience
Up to 5 ptsPFPD Cadet Program: 2 pts for current enrollment, 5 pts for completing 1+ year. Or outside full-time FF/PM experience: up to 2 pts (½ pt per year, minimum 2 years). Private/contract service does not qualify.
Education
Up to 4 pts2 pts for an associate's degree in fire science/EMS. 4 pts for a bachelor's in fire science/EMS. 2 pts for a bachelor's in an unrelated field.
Residency
Up to 3 pts1 pt per year of residency within the PFPD jurisdiction (3 pts max). Requires driver's license plus a bank statement, utility bill, or mortgage/rent document for each year claimed.
Why Plainfield?
"I tested for Plainfield because it was a young and growing fire district. I'd already been full-time at another department for almost five years when I made the leap into the unknown — and couldn't be happier that I did. Plainfield has given me so many opportunities to learn, experience, and grow. I look forward to coming into work every day, not knowing what challenges we might face."
Battalion Chief · Serving since 2008
"Being a firefighter in Plainfield for the past 10 years has been the best decision I've ever made. The rigorous training programs, wide range of emergency calls, and hands-on experience have helped me sharpen my skills and become not only an exceptional firefighter but also a highly trained paramedic. I've built lifelong friendships with colleagues who have become like family."
Firefighter/Paramedic · Serving since 2014
"I felt a wave of nerves on my first day, but those quickly faded thanks to the warm welcome and trust extended by the chiefs, members, and administrative staff. There's no doubt in my mind that I want to grow and succeed within a team that values a healthy culture and takes pride in serving an incredible community."
Firefighter/Paramedic · Serving since 2024
"If I could answer questions to a younger me — Are you going to go to fires? Yes. Are you going to make a difference? Yes. Will you experience every emotion possible? Yes. Will you gain relationships that last a lifetime? Yes. Is Plainfield worth it? I think you know the answer… Yes."
Lieutenant · Serving since 2008
Ready to apply?
PFPD is hiring
Applications and testing are managed through Public Safety Testing (PST). Visit PST to check the current application window, sign up for the written exam, and upload your required documentation.
Eligibility List Results
| Rank | Last name | First name | Total score | Preference points | Final score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oberg | Joshua | 89.34 | 6.5 | 95.84 |
| 2 | Avery | Noah | 89.60 | 5 | 94.60 |
| 3 | Kuhel-Trimmer | Logan | 86.11 | 5 | 91.11 |
| 4 | Bautista | Armando | 82.77 | 5 | 87.77 |
| 5 | Lestina | Robert | 85.85 | — | 85.85 |
| 6 | Radtke | James | 83.43 | 2 | 85.43 |
| 7 | Diaz | Sebastian | 84.25 | — | 84.25 |
| 8 | Russo | Isabella | 81.79 | 2 | 83.79 |
| 9 | Pipiras | Edvinas | 79.50 | 4 | 83.50 |
| 10 | Ibrahim | Dakota | 79.96 | 2 | 81.96 |
| 11 | Palomares | Jesus | 81.35 | — | 81.35 |
| 12 | Petrik | Joseph | 80.16 | 1 | 81.16 |
| 13 | Aldous | Andrew | 80.03 | — | 80.03 |
| 14 | Watkins | William | 77.15 | — | 77.15 |
| 15 | Toczek | Dariusz | 73.86 | — | 73.86 |
A dash indicates that no preference points were listed.
Approved by the Board of Fire Commissioners on October 23, 2025. Signed by Dale Hurley, Chairman; Arnold Hartley, Secretary; and Steve Iovinelli, Commissioner.
