MILWAUKEE — Being a firefighter is not an easy job. It is a role that is physically and emotionally demanding.

However, it is one that can also be very rewarding as you serve your community. Now, the Milwaukee Fire Department is hoping to bring a new generation into the fire service.

What You Need To Know

  • The Milwaukee Fire Department is accepting applications

  • It's looking to fill future recruiting classes 

  • Department leadership stresses the importance of having a large applicant pool

Applications to become a firefighter and/or EMT are currently available on the City of Milwaukee’s website. Applications are being accepted through June 21.

The hiring timeline is different from most jobs. The current applications will be reviewed and drawn on to build the next recruiting classes. This current pool of applicants is expected to be used to fill the Aug. 2025 classes.

Milwaukee Fire Department Capt. Philip Cockroft Sr. oversees recruiting efforts. Cockroft explained some of the steps in the process after prospective candidates submit their applications.

“Once it (the application window) closes, the Fire and Police Commission will go through and pluck out the ones that meet the minimum criteria to our candidate pool. From there, they go through different stages of testing. The first test would be a written exam. The ones who pass go on to the job interview portion, the ones who move on can go on our rank and eligibility list,” said Cockroft.

Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski said having a large and diverse applicant pool to choose from is important to the health of the department. In recent years, the total number of applicants has trended downward. As the city reopens fire stations, the number of jobs are growing.

“The relief it will provide our existing core of firefighters and paramedics, it can’t be overstated,” said Lipski. “It is necessary for a city to fund a proper fire department if it wants to be healthy and thrive. We are finally at a point in our history where that is starting to happen again. Recruiting is critically important as we expand the fire department, which is what we are going through right now. We also need to fill all the extra spots we are creating.”

To learn more about the available Milwaukee Fire Department positions, and to view the application, you can visit the City of Milwaukee’s hiring website.

Related Stories