Firefighter Recruits

LAFAYETTE FIRE DEPARTMENT

300 East Vermilion Street
Lafayette LA 70501

Phone: 337-291-8700
Email: LafayetteFire@LafayetteLA.gov

Fire Chief: Robert P. Benoit

How to become a Firefighter
1. Obtain a Civil Service application online & take a Police & Fire Civil Service Test. You can fill out the application online only & find available test dates & locations by visiting the Office of State Examiner’s website at ose.louisiana.gov. For questions and additional information, you can contact the Police & Fire Civil Service Secretary, Allison Schexnayder at (337) 291-8762 or call the Office of State Examiner at (225) 925-4567.
 
2. You must meet all the requested criteria of the application (Minimum age of 18, driver’s license, high school diploma or equivalent, voter registration card, etc.)
 
3. Upon scheduling a test date by the State Examiner, you must achieve a score of 75% on the combination written and oral examination. Books may be available at the Public Library to help you prepare.
 
4. When you achieve a successful score of 75% or above, you will then need to fill out an application with the Lafayette Fire Dept. Applications may be obtained at Central Fire Station located at 300 E. Vermilion. If you need additional information, please contact Yolanda Andrus at 337-291-8700.
 
5. Once you achieve a passing score and fill out an application, you will then move on to the second phase of the process called Physical Agility Testing. You must pass each module, which includes running, climbing, lifting, etc. An agility test packet will be issued to you via the mail prior to the physical agility test date.
 
6. After passing the physical agility test, you move to the interview phase of the process. A panel of Fire Officers will interview you on work history and background. The interview date and time will be determined after completion of the physical agility test.
 
7. The final phase of this process places you on the department’s eligibility roster. These scores will remain current for 18 months from when the written exam is taken. This roster is where candidates are chosen for the Firefighter Academy, which is approximately 22 weeks long.
 
FIRE TRAINING
 
This division is primarily responsible for providing up-to-date, cost effective training to our new recruits utilizing skilled, safe instruction from Training Officers at our training center and to provide continuous training to our veteran Firefighters.
 
Applicants that are hired must undergo approximately twenty-two weeks of training in the Department’s Firefighter Academy.
 
Emergency Operations personnel must meet standards of performance set by IFSAC and NFPA.
 
At present, all Firefighters are required to hold a Louisiana Firefighter I certification. This is accomplished through the Training Division.
 
For further information, use contact number (337) 291-5506.
 
WORK SCHEDULE
  
Emergency Operations have three crews working shift work (24 hrs. on, 24 hrs. off, 24 on 24 off, 24 on, 4 days off). By utilizing these three crews we are able to provide our citizens with fire protection and medical emergency responses- 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
 
For further information, use contact number (337) 291-8700.