What if I’m already a firefighter?

 

All new South Bend firefighters must attend the 21-week fire academy.

How long is the Academy?

The Recruit Academy lasts approx. 21 weeks. Those who successfully complete the recruit program are placed in the field as firefighter/EMT’s for approx. twelve months. Firefighters attend additional training days during the duration of their career.

Do firefighters get to sleep during their shift?

Every station is designed to accommodate a crew for 24 hours. This includes a kitchen, dorm, restrooms, showers, exercise equipment, TV room. Sleeping is permitted, as is cooking, working out, and studying, although you must be ready to respond to alarms and fulfill other duty requirements at all times.

Who is in charge?

The South Bend Fire Department is structured to mirror a military hierarchy. The station is a microcosm of that, beginning with the firefighters, a fire engineer (driver) in charge of the apparatus, and a captain in charge of the entire crew. The city is split into two battalions. A battalion chief is in charge of operations and stations in his or her battalion.

How are promotions made in the Department?

The first promotional opportunity is to Firefighter 1^st Class. After one year assigned to the operations division you are automatically promoted to Firefighter 1^st Class (Pending you are a firefighter in good standing, without any disaplaiary history). After three years on the job you are promoted to Engineer. For promotion to Fire Captain, you must have eight years on the job, and complete a specific plan of training. Promotion to Captain is much like the hiring process, in that it is a competitive process. Promotion to Battalion, or Assistant Chief positions is done by appointment from the Fire Chief. The Fire Chief is appointed by the Mayor.

Is it harder for a woman to get hired?

The South Bend Fire Department is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against race or gender. Having said that, some applicants find that our physical ability exam is very difficult. Therefore, we offer orientation classes so that all applicants can try out the parts of the exam so that they know what segment (i.e.: cardiovascular endurance, strength) to work on improving. Everyone, regardless of race or gender have to pass the same physical ability exam. In training they everyone is held to the same standard. During the SBFD Training Academy, one of the most important things instructors look for is that recruits are giving 100 percent.

What is the job of a Firefighter really like?

How much does all that gear weigh?

It is not uncommon for firefighters to carry an array of specialized tools and equipment that can weigh over 70 lbs, in addition to wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus that weighs 40 lbs.

 

What if I have a Police record?

Police records never go away, so be sure and be totally straightforward on your application.

CAN I PICK UP AN APPLICATION FOR A FRIEND?

WHERE DO I TURN IN MY APPLICATION?

Turn in your completed and signed original application form to the address contained within the application packet. Late applications WILL NOT be accepted. Copies of applications will not be accepted. You will not be allowed to take the exam if you do not have your application completed by the required deadlines.

CAN THE WRITTEN EXAM BE TAKEN AT ANOTHER TIME?

No. All applicants will be administered the test at the date and time contained within the application packet.

I DON’T LIVE IN SOUTH BEND. CAN I STILL APPLY?

Yes. However, upon employment, all Firefighters must live with in one county of St. Joseph County and within the state of Indiana.

DO I NEED TO BE INDIANA EMT CERTIFIED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION?

No. All recruits receive EMT training during the fire academy. However you must obtain and maintain at least an EMT-Intermediate certification from the state of Indiana within 3 years of hire.

IF I HAVE A VALID NATIONAL REGISTRY EMT CERTIFICATION, WILL I ALSO NEED TO BE CERTIFIED THROUGH THE STATE OF INDIANA?

Yes. You must contact the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and receive reciprocity from your NREMTB certification. In addition you will complete the Indiana EMT-B course during the fire academy.

IF I HAVE A VALID EMT CERTIFICATION IN ANOTHER STATE, WILL I NEED TO BE CERTIFIED THROUGH THE STATE OF INDIANA?

 

Yes. You must contact the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and receive reciprocity from your NREMTB certification. In addition you will complete the Indiana EMT-B course during the fire academy.
 

I WAS A FIREFIGHTER SOMEWHERE ELSE. DO I HAVE TO TAKE THE WRITTEN EXAM AND/OR DO I HAVE TO ATTEND THE FIRE ACADEMY?

 

Yes, you must complete all aspects of the hiring process in addition to the academy and probationary year.

WHAT IS THE MINIMUM AGE FOR APPLICANTS?

You must be at least 21 years of age by the time you graduate the academy.

WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM AGE FOR APPLICANTS?

 

All firefighters must be members of Indiana PERF before their 36^th birthday.

DO I HAVE TO BE A HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE OR HAVE A GED?

 

Yes.

I HAVE A RELATIVE WORKING FOR THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND. CAN I STILL APPLY?

Yes.

DO I HAVE TO BE A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES?
No. However, if you are a non-citizen, you must have acceptable documentation that you are a legal resident of the United States. The documentation must be presented when a job offer is made.

WHEN WILL THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND BE RECRUITING FOR FIREFIGHTER RECRUIT AGAIN?

The City of South Bend usually distributes applications for Firefighter every two years. However, the expiration date of the eligible list may be extended at the discretion of the City.

I AM A FIREFIGHTER NOW. CAN I TRANSFER TO THE SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT?

No. You must go through the recruitment process.

HOW MANY PEOPLE IS THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND GOING TO HIRE?

We don’t know at this time. The number of people hired varies from year to year, depending upon the number of employees retiring, the amount of employee turnover, and the contract with the local IAFF Union.

HOW LONG IS TRAINING AT THE FIRE ACADEMY?

Approx. 21 weeks.

 

WILL I NEED A COPY OF MY BIRTH CERTIFICATE WHEN I TURN IN MY APPLICATION?

 

Yes.

WILL I NEED AN I.D. CARD WHEN I TURN IN MY APPLICATION?

Yes. You will need to bring a valid driver’s license with you to the exam, or you will not be allowed to test.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD I BRING TO THE WRITTEN EXAM?

Any forms required within the application packet. DO NOT bring calculators, food, drinks, family, friends, etc.

IS SMOKING ALLOWED IN THE EXAM ROOM?

No.

TO BE A PARAMEDIC, DO I HAVE TO BE A FIREFIGHTER FIRST?

All South Bend Fire Department Paramedics are trained as firefighters.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THE WRITTEN EXAM?

A study guide will be provided for you to study the morning of the exam. You will have approx. three hours to study the study guide. You will leave for lunch and return to the testing center to take the test. A large amount of questions are taken directly from the study guide. The remaining questions are reading comprehension and math.

WILL I BE ALLOWED TO USE THE RESTROOM DURING THE WRITTEN EXAM?

Yes.

I’M PREGNANT. CAN I TAKE THE WRITTEN EXAM?

Yes. However, you should review the Candidate Physical Ability Test booklet with your physician to determine whether or not you can safely compete in that phase of the testing process.

DO I HAVE TO PASS A MEDICAL (PHYSICAL) EXAM PRIOR TO BEING HIRED?

Yes. Candidates must complete and pass a medical examination.

 

WILL I BE DRUG TESTED PRIOR TO BEING HIRED?

 

Yes, and you will be subject to being randomly tested up to 3 additional times a year.

 

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE THE RESULTS OF MY WRITTEN EXAM?

Written exam notices will be mailed four to six weeks after the exam. Your final notice will include your written exam score. You will then be placed on an eligibility list for Firefighter Recruit by the City of South Bend Personnel Department. The South Bend Fire Department will then use this list to invite candidates for selection interviews.

WILL THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT ACCEPT CPAT CERTIFICATION FROM ANOTHER AGENCY/MUNICIPALITY?

No, you must take the CPAT at your scheduled time.

I PARTICIPATED IN THE 2006 FIREFIGHTER RECRUIT PROCESS AND AM CURRENTLY ON THE ELIGIBILITY LIST. WILL COMPETING IN THE 2010 PROCESS WITHDRAW ME FROM LAST YEAR’S PROCESS OR COMPROMISE MY ELIGIBILITY?

The 2006 list has expired and no additional hiring’s will be made from that list.

IF I HAVE A CHANGE OF ADDRESS, PHONE #, ETC. OR IF I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE TESTING/HIRING PROCESS FOR FIREFIGHTER RECRUIT WHAT DO I DO?
 

Contact:

South Bend Fire Department
1222 South Michigan St.
South Bend, Indiana 46601
574.235.9255