Join the Fire Department
Paid On-Call Firefighting is a rewarding and valuable way to serve your community. It takes dedication and many hours of training and education. If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, there is a place in our department for you.
Interested candidates can fill out an application and mail it to City Hall or email it to City Clerk/Assistant City Administrator, Amy Benting at abenting@cityofdaytonmn.com. Applications for the next hiring cycle will be accepted starting March 1, 2025
Requirements
- be 18 years or older
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have a high school diploma
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be able to pass a criminal background check and psychological evaluation
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have a valid Minnesota driver’s license
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pass a physical agility test (PAT) NEXT PAT TEST: TBD 2025
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live within 10 minutes of a Dayton fire station, per Google maps.
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It is not required that candidates live within the boundaries of Dayton
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DFD Hiring Process
In addition to the general requirements, there are several steps in the DFD hiring process. Please note that the full process can take up to 2 months. If there are no positions open at the time of your inquiry, your application will be saved and you will be contacted when a position comes available.
- Submit an Application. This can be sent to City Hall or emailed to Chief Hendrickson at ghendrickson@cityofdaytonmn.com
- Applications for the next hiring cycle will be accepted starting March 1, 2025
- Attend a Physical Ability Test session – NEXT PAT TESTING DATE: TBD 2025
- Interview with a panel of up to six department members
- BCA criminal background and driving record check
- Psychological Evaluation
- Full physical, including drug test, hearing screening and EKG
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time commitment?
- Members must attend a minimum of 16 out of 24 hands-on trainings each year per state requirements
- Trainings and equipment truck checks occur on Thursday evenings
- Additional paid trainings will be offered (outside of Thursday evenings), throughout the year
- Member participation and call attendance is monitored and discussed during performance evaluations with the Department Chief.
- Members are encouraged to participate in DFD and Public Relation events throughout the year such as the open house, parades, fundraisers, public education events, banquets, city sponsored festivities, etc.
What is the compensation?
- Calls responded to are compensated at an hourly rate.
- Trainings are compensated at an hourly rate.
- Required certification & training fees are paid by the DFD.
- DFD will pay for extra schooling/classes at the Chief’s discretion and with prior approval.
How am I trained? (See video link below)
- New employees will sustain a 12-18 month probationary period during which:
- Trainees are expected to respond to calls, familiarize with equipment, attend weekly trainings and attend school to earn the following certifications:
- EMT – 120 hour, college level course with practicals on Ambulance and/or in an Emergency Department
- Firefighter I with Haz-Mat Operations – 120 hour class (Video below)
- Firefighter II – 40 hour class (Video below)
- Trainees are expected to respond to calls, familiarize with equipment, attend weekly trainings and attend school to earn the following certifications:
Do I have to know how to drive a fire truck?
- New employees are assigned mentors who train them in vehicles operations.
- No prior experience is required.
- No special drivers licensure is required.
- New employees should not expect to drive an apparatus on a call until fully certified. This may take up to 18 months.
