Providing a rare opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a new full-time fire department, the Village of Peoria Heights is putting out the call to fill three firefighter openings in the coming months.
Heights Fire Chief Dan Decker said that salaries will start at $65,000 annually with full benefits as the newly hired firefighters assume shifts of 24 hours on, 48 hours off. The career firefighters will be augmented by part-time firefighters paid on a stipend basis, additionally complemented by volunteers who for more than a century have formed the foundation of the Peoria Heights Fire Department. At least two local firefighters will be available to respond to emergencies on a 24-7 basis, said Decker.
Indeed, the Heights has a long and distinguished history of providing top-notch volunteer fire protection but times have changed with job and family pressures, making volunteer recruitment more difficult and prompting the Village Board to create a full-time department last year.
Applications and additional information about the positions are available now and can be found here.
The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 10.
Beyond that, the timeline is as follows: A mandatory orientation meeting for all applicants will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 20 at Peoria Heights Village Hall, 4901 N. Prospect Road. A written test will follow, to be administered starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 27 at Peoria Heights Grade School, 500 E. Glen Ave. The interview process is scheduled for Aug. 12-23 at Village Hall. Finalists for the positions will be selected by Sept. 1. Offers of employment will then be made and the three firefighter positions should be filled in early October.
The hiring process has three components.
First, candidates must prove physical agility, showing a current CPAT card with ladder climb.
Second, the written exam will be weighted at 60 percent of a candidate’s overall score and cover listening comprehension, mathematics and reading comprehension. Standard & Associates practice tests and study guides are available for purchase online. The passing score is 70 percent.
Third, interviews are weighted at 40 percent and will be conducted by the Peoria Heights Police and Fire Commission.
In addition, preference points will be awarded for firefighting experience, military service, valid firefighting certifications including EMT training, and apprenticeships. Candidates up for consideration must undergo a thorough background investigation and pass a polygraph, medical and psychological examination.
“It’s the ground floor of what I think will be a good place to work,” said Decker, who touted the benefits of working at a busy department in an attractive and growing community. “Everybody wants to come to the Heights … Our job is to make it a safe place to be.”
Volunteers continue to be welcome.
“We have a rich history of volunteer firefighting and we are looking to build upon that success with permanent firefighters as our community grows,” said Police and Fire Commission member Jeff Shields.
For more information, contact Fire Chief Dan Decker at ddecker@peoriaheightsfire.org, 309-251-9174.