Join the Sycamore Fire Department

The City of Sycamore is proud to partner with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 3046. The Sycamore Fire Department (SFD) is a combination department with both Career and Paid On-Call (POC) Firefighters. Minimum eligibility requirements must be met for both positions. 

Career Firefighter-Paramedic (EMT-P)

Applicants must be at least 21 years old, but not more than 35 years old, and provide the following:

  • High school diploma or equivalent (GED)
  • Certification as a Firefighter II (or new Basic Operations Firefighter) with the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM)
  • Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
  • Current CPAT card/test, demonstrating completion of the CPAT examination not more than twelve (12) months prior to application
  • Proof of permanent legal USA residency
  • Valid Illinois driver's license
  • Certified current college transcript, if listing college courses or experience

Eligibility

The Sycamore Fire and Police Commission maintains a Firefighter-Paramedic eligibility list. Once the final eligibility list is established, the list is posted and remains in place for two (2) years or the list is exhausted. The eligibility list testing is composed of the following elements:

  1. Application
  2. Mandatory orientation
  3. Written examination
  4. Initial oral test by Commission
  5. Proof of physical agility test
  6. Establishment of preference points

Once a conditional offer of employment is tendered, applicants undergo and pass further assessment:

  • Polygraph test
  • Criminal background investigation
  • Final oral test by Commission
  • Psychological/behavioral analysis
  • Medical examination, including drug screening

Firefighter Apprentice Program

The goals of the SFD Firefighter Apprentice Program shall be to train, shape and prepare interested prospective firefighter candidates for a successful career in the fire service.

Overview

The Apprentice Program is an intensive three-year high-tempo program. Accepted applicants shall be sworn as Paid On-Call (POC) firefighters. Upon appointment, Apprentices shall be expected to achieve all of the following training during the program:

  • Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) EMT-B licensure
  • Completion of an SFD-approved Firefighter Academy
  • Office of the State Fire Marshall (OSFM) Basic Operations Firefighter certification
  • Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) licensure
  • Associate Degree in Fire Science or Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Apprentices shall be offered and expected to gain practical firefighting and EMS experience through job shadowing, ride-along time and actual job experience.

Eligibility

Candidates for the Apprentice Program must meet the following requirements:

  • At least 18 years old by the appointment date
  • High school diploma or equivalent (GED) by the appointment date
  • Proof of residency according to Article 5 of the current Local 3046 Collective Bargaining Agreement
  • No felony convictions
  • A current CPAT card/test with ladder climb exercise within six (6) months of the appointment date
  • Physical, mental and psychological ability to achieve the expected goals of the Apprentice Program
  • Serious dedicated pursuit of a career in the fire service and superior motivation
  • Sign the Apprentice Program Policy Agreement upon appointment

The Apprentice Program is an opportunity to learn and train with career firefighter-paramedics and potentially earn preference points as part of the SFD Career Firefighter-Paramedic testing and eligibility process. Upon completion of the three-year Apprentice Program Apprentices may earn up to 15 additional preference points.

Additional Employment Information