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Firefighter/Paramedic Employment Opportunities

The next testing process will be done in the Winter of 2012-2013.

Firefighter Eligibility List

All questions should be referred to the Wheeling Fire Department at (847) 459-2662 during regular business hours.

All positions for Firefighter/Paramedic with the Wheeling Fire Department are filled from an initial eligibility list that is recreated every two (2) years. Notice of the testing process is posted in various local/regional newspapers, on local Cable Channel 17, and on the Village of Wheeling web page several weeks before the actual testing process begins.

1) Employment Application - available for personal pickup several weeks prior to the written examination.

2) Comprehensive Written Examination - candidates must score a minimum of 70% correct on the examination.

3) Physical Agility Test - candidates must show proof of successful completion of the "Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) from an approved agency no more than twelve (12) months prior to taking the written examination. Currently, the CPAT may be taken at the following local agencies:

           o Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy
              (NIPSTA), 2300 Patriot Blvd., Glenview, IL 60026
              (847) 998-8090        

           o Southwest United Fire Districts (SUFD) Academy –
              CPAT Division, 7550 Lyman, Darien, IL 60561
              (630) 910-2216

Proof of successful CPAT completion will be accepted from other fire service agencies as long as the fire service agency is licensed by the International Association of Firefighter (IAFF) as a valid licensed CPAT agency. Proof of licensure of the testing agency will be required prior to the candidate taking the written examination.

4) Preference Points (maximum of five (5) points):

          o Military service with an honorable discharge (requires a DD214):
             five (5) points. 
          o BA/BA in Fire Science or related curriculum:
             two(2) points (*)      
          o AS/AA in Fire Science or related curriculum:
             one (1) point (*)
          o State of Illinois Firefighter III or Firefighter (Advanced):
             two (2) points (**) 
          o State of Illinois Firefighter II or Firefighter (Basic): 
             one (1) point (**) 
          o State of Illinois Fire Apparatus Engineer (FAE):
             one (1) point 
          o State of Illinois Hazardous Materials First Responder:
             one (1) point
          o State of Illinois Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) -
             Ambulance: one (1) point (***) 
          o State of Illinois Paramedic (St. Francis EMS):
             three (3) points (***) 
          o State of Illinois Paramedic (Non-St. Francis EMS):
             one (1) point (***)

Note:  (*): Credit applied only to highest degree obtained. 
         (**): Credit applied only to highest level of certification
                 obtained. 
       (***): Credit applied only to highest level of certification obtained.

In addition to the testing process, candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

1) Minimum of twenty-one (21) years of age and less than thirty-five (35) years of age as of the date of the written examination (per State of Illinois Statute). Proof of age is required.

2) United States citizen (per State of Illinois Statute). Proof of citizenship required.

3) Visual Acuity:

           o  20/20 or corrected to 20/20 in each eye. 
           o  Red, yellow, and green color vision. 
           o  Sufficient peripheral vision to have obtained or be able
               to obtain a State of Illinois motor vehicle driver's 
               license.
            o  Binocular vision with normal depth perception.
            o  No pathological conditions that currently impairs
                or will impair vision.

4) Hearing:

           o  No hearing deficit in the pure tone thresholds in the
               worst unaided ear: 

                1. Greater than 25 dB in three (3) of the four (4)
                    frequencies: 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, 3000 Hz
                2. Greater than 30 dB in any one of the three (3)
                    frequencies:  500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz 
                3. An average greater than 30 dB for the four (4) 
                    frequencies: 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, 3000 Hz

As vacancies occur, candidates are drawn from the initial eligibility list for:

1) Pre-Screening Interviews.
2) Oral Examination (Formal Interview) 
3) Psychological Examination. 
4) Polygraph Examination.
5) Medical Examination (Includes Drug Abuse Testing).