How to get hired at Milwaukee Fire Department

Written by a career firefighter · Updated 2026-11-04

Milwaukee firefighters are hired through the city's Fire and Police Commission, which runs periodic recruitments with a written test, oral interview, physical ability test and background investigation; passing candidates go on an eligible list. Offers depend on a medical exam, psychological evaluation and drug test, and recruits are trained and certified as EMTs in a paid academy. Entry-level applications are not open right now.

Official recruitment page

Minimum requirements

• At least 18 by the application deadline src
• High school diploma or GED meeting Wisconsin standards (home-school diplomas accepted with documentation) src
• Valid driver's license; Wisconsin license within 6 months of appointment src
• Must obtain and maintain a Wisconsin EMT license; convictions barring EMT licensure disqualify src
• No residency requirement; Milwaukee residents earn 5 preference points src
• Disqualified if failed an MFD background or left MPD/MFD with charges pending in the past two years src

Certifications

• EMT: earned in the academy
• Firefighter I/II: not required (academy provided)

Source: official page

Tests

• Fire and Police Commission written test (written) src
• Oral interview (oral) src
• Physical ability test (PAT) (physical): MFD-run; not named as CPAT src

Hiring process

1. Apply online
2. Written test
3. Oral interview
4. Physical ability test
5. Background investigation
6. Eligible list
7. Conditional offer
8. Medical, psych and drug test
9. FPC approval
10. Academy

Source: official page

Starting pay

Recruit $40,751.73/yr; $54,335.72/yr after academy; max $90,431.36 src

Academy

Paid 18-week recruit academy including EMT certification, then 16-month probation src

Checked 2026-11-05 against the department's official pages (linked). Hiring windows open and close quickly; always confirm on the official site before you apply. See every academy, EMT program and test site in Wisconsin.