NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS 

Applications are being accepted for Firefighter Recruits & Firefighter Lateral Transfers

Applications:  Frankfort Fire and EMS tends to open the hiring process at least once a year; and more often if staffing mandates the need to do so.  The Frankfort Fire & EMS Process is Civil Service based and contains several phases to be completed for the firefighter recruit position.

You may obtain an application at:  City of Frankfort, 315 W. 2nd Street, Frankfort KY  40601 OR you may obtain an application from our website at:  https://www.frankfort.ky.gov/312/Joining-the-Department . 

You may submit a completed application and supporting documents to:

City of Frankfort Frankfort Fire & EMS 300 W. 2nd Street Frankfort KY  40601

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• You must be between the ages of 19 and 50 at the time of hire
• You must have a high school diploma or equivalent
• You must have a valid driver’s license
• You must be a citizen of the United States or have documentation of eligibility to work in the United States

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:  APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED IN THE ENTIRETY.  THIS MEANS YOU MUST SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS WITH YOUR APPLICATION:

• Your Birth Certificate (issued by the registrar of vital statistics in the state where you were born),
• Your high school Diploma or equivalency certificate, and
• Your Driver’s License
• Any Additional Requirements: If you have participated in active military service or if you have attended college education, include a copy of:
• Your DD-214 Form
• Your Official College Transcripts

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION – CERTIFICATIONS

• National Register or Kentucky Emergency Medical Technician Certification
• National Register or Kentucky Paramedic Certification
• EMT or Paramedic Certification from your current state if not Kentucky

BENEFITS PACKAGE INCLUDE:

• Health Insurance (Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance Plans)
• Tuition Reimbursement (after probation/ 3 Classes per year)
• Paid Vacation, Holiday and Sick time accrual (monthly)
• State Firefighter Incentive $4300
• Paramedic Incentive of $8800 (if eligible)

FRANKFORT FIRE & EMS TESTING PROCESS

The testing process will consist of several test and interviews to find the best candidate to be a firefighter recruit.   The test and interviews will be scheduled well in advance; at minimum two weeks for each phase.  You will be notified with via email reminders of the scheduled dates.  It is important that you contact the Fire Administration Office when you are unable to meet a scheduled date.

TESTING PROCESS & COMPONENTS

The testing process will consist of the following components:

• Written Examination
• Oral Examination
• Physical Agility Test (the Certified Physical Agility Test) Current CPAT Card in date
• Chief’s Interview
• Background Investigation
• Polygraph Examination
• Psychological Examination
• Physical Fitness Examination
• Drug Test

 

PHASE ONE

Phase one will be establishing an eligibility list based on the Written Examination, Oral Examination and Physical Agility Test.   An eligibility list is created by combining 50% of the final score of the written examination and 50% of the oral interview to obtain a minimum score of 70%.  Additionally, the candidate will have a current CPAT Card at the time of submission of the application.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION - 50%

The written exam will be worth 50% of your total score.  

You must submit a completed application before you can take the written examination.  You will not be permitted to take the written exam if you have submitted an incomplete application.  We will not be collecting document at the testing process.

The written test is a 100-question test designed for the firefighter recruit entry level.  Applicants that do not have to have their CPAT card may still take the written examination.   The written examination to be administered is a multiple-choice written examination that measures abilities and aptitudes necessary to be successful on the job. Problem solving, reasoning, reading comprehension, and long and short-term memory are among the criteria measured.  You will be notified within two weeks of either a pass/fail email/letter.  You must pass the written test with a minimum score of 70% in order to proceed onto the next phase of the process.

For the written examination you will need to bring a valid driver’s license and a Release form.

ABSOLUTELY NO Electronics!  This includes, but is not limited to communication devices, phones, mp3 players, smartwatches, etcetera.   If you bring phones, you will be asked to place them in our phone box until the test is over; if you bring smart watches, you will be asked to remove them.   Anyone failing to follow the electronics instructions will be asked to leave.

ORAL EXAMINATION – 50% 

The oral interview will consist of you sitting in front of the City’s Civil Service Board.  The Board evaluates the candidates on such factors as training, experience, communication skills, level of professionalism, adaptability, reasoning and etcetera.

The weight of the Oral Examination is 50% of the overall eligibility score.  This means that the candidate must score a minimum of 70% on the Board’s Oral examination.  The Board will score each candidate on how well the respond or answer a question.  

PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST – PASS/FAIL

Complete the Certified Physical Agility Test and obtain a card that is valid through the hiring process.  The physical agility test will consist of pass or fail. NOTE:  The hiring process can take up to 6 months to a year; you must maintain a current card during the entire hiring process. What this means is if you have a card that is due to expire during the hiring process, you will be required to update your card with a new valid card.

This means that you will have to maintain a current CPAT Card during the remaining phases of the hiring process.  How does this work?  There are a few scenarios that will tend to hold true and based on the presumption that you have made the eligibility list with the written and oral examination.  Here are few questions asked.

Frequently Asked Questions – CPAT Card:

•  Q1:  I hold a current CPAT Card and have passed the written and oral examination, but my card expires at the end of the month.  What should I do?
• A1:  Because you hold a current CPAT Card, you will only need to go and test again to get a new CPAT Card.   If you fail to obtain a current and in date CPAT Card by time of the Job Offer, then you will not be offered a job.  So, it is always best to keep your CPAT Card current.
• Q2:  Can I take the Written Examination without having my CPAT Card?
• A2:  YES, absolutely!  Frankfort Fire & EMS will try to schedule with the Kentucky Fire Commission to eligible test dates that you can go and test.  However, that does not prohibit you from testing on your own or scheduling your own test dates.  The important take away is to always make sure your card is current during the process.
• Q3:  I have a CPAT card, but it is from Ohio, or Indiana.  Will you accept an out of state CPAT Card?
• A3:  YES, we will accept CPAT Cards from other states if we are able to validate the card to make sure the card is legitimate. 
• Q4:  I’ve passed the written and oral examination, but I just cannot pass the CPAT? Do I have to pass to get the job?
• A4:  YES, you do have to pass the CPAT to be on the eligibility for hire list.  If you do not obtain your CPAT Card, then you will be removed from the eligibility list.  If you are removed from the list, then you will not continue in the process or be given a conditional job offer.

Generally, the Frankfort Fire Department will contact the CPAT and schedule two CPAT Sessions with CPAT. This does not prohibit you from obtaining the CPAT Card Certification on your own.  You can find out more information about CPAT including scheduled CPAT Dates and Times by visiting this website.

KENTUCKY CERTIFIED AGILITY TEST:

https://kyfirecommission.kctcs.edu/fire_commission_programs/cpat/index.aspx

Kentucky Certified Agility Test Schedule (You may want to visit this website frequently.  They are constantly updating the information).

https://kyfirecommission.kctcs.edu/fire_commission_programs/cpat/cpat_testing_schedule.aspx

ELIGIBILITY LIST SCORING:

Each testing component is scored and assigned a weight to be used in determining the overall score.  The relative weight of each component is:

Physical Agility Test      Pass/Fail

Written Examination      50%

Oral Examination           50%

               Total               100%

ELIGIBILITY LIST 

Applicants with a minimum combined score of seventy percent (70%) or higher will be placed on an eligibility list which shall remain in effect for one full year from the date certified by the Civil Service Board, or until another list is established. An applicant’s overall combined score determines his/her rank on the eligibility list. Information discovered during the background investigation, psychological, polygraph or the physical examination could result in removal from the eligibility list if it is determined that this information makes the candidate ineligible or unsuitable for the position.

Background Investigation:

A Comprehensive background investigation will be conducted on each candidate prior to being offered employment. The investigation checks the applicant’s police record, driving record, employment record, reputation, and credit record.   You will be asked to complete a Background Survey Document and submit prior to the Chief’s interview.

PHASE TWO

Phase two will continue with the Chief’s Interview, Polygraph, Psychological and Conditional Offer.

CHIEF’S INTERVIEW:

The Chief’s Interview consists of you sitting before a board of Fire Chief Officers.  These Officer’s will get to know you as well as provide you with information concerning the department.  This is the opportunity for you to express why you want to be a firefighter and why you want to work for the City of Frankfort Fire and EMS Department. 

The interview allows you to decide if the department will be a good fit for you or if you will be a good fit for the department.  Once you have completed the Chief’s Interview you may be notified with a conditional offer or alternate conditional from the fire Chief. 

CONDITIONAL OFFERS:

Conditional Offers indicates that you primarily have been chosen to be hired after completing the remaining process.  Alternate Offers indicate that you have been chosen as an alternate candidate.  What this means is if one of the original primary candidates relinquish their position, then you will be next to succeed in that position as primary candidate.

The only caveat, whether it is conditional or alternate; you must successfully complete the remaining process.  This means you must pass the polygraph, psychological, physical and drug test.

The next step will be for you to complete and submit the Conditional/Alternate Offer agreements; and the Reimbursement Training Agreement.  The Conditional/Alternate Offer agreements and Reimbursement Training Agreement will need to be notarized.  You will need to bring these prior to have the polygraph examination.  We have a notary on staff.

POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION:

After you have submitted your Conditional/Alternate Offer agreements; You will be given the Polygraph Examination.  You will be provided with the date, location and time for the polygraph once you have submitted your Conditional/Alternate Offer agreements; and Reimbursement Training Agreement.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION:

You proceed on with the Psychological Examination.  Our evaluations are designed to assist public safety and security organizations with managing risk by selecting out unsuitable candidates, while selecting in those who demonstrate suitability and readiness to effectively handle essential job responsibilities

The reports identify traits and behaviors that can enhance or potentially limit candidates' ability to successfully perform essential job functions. Evaluations are offered on-site at departments and organizations, eliminating the need for candidates to travel.”

Once the applicant has successfully passed the polygraph, the applicant will then advance on to the psychological Examination.   This examination will last approximately 2.5 hours.

PHASE THREE

The last phase of the process will include the applicant completing the medical physical and drug testing.  This normally is scheduled for the same day.  Location and times will be provided by the Fire Admin Staff.

Once the applicant has completed and passed the medical physical and drug test, then they will be provided with a start date for Firefighter Recruit Class.  The recruit class is usually 4 to 5 months; doing 40-hour work weeks.   In recruit class, you will obtain your Fire Administration Orientation; Kentucky State Fire Certification of 400 hours; and an introduction to the Emergency Medical Services or review depending of EMT or EMT-P status.

 

Fire applications:

You may either complete the online application or the downloadable application.  If you complete the downloadable application, please make sure you submit all supporting documents.  If you would like to complete the online application, please make sure you upload all supporting documents.

Online Application: 

                                   click here --->  Fire Application_Online

Fire Applicant Checklist                       

Applicant Name:

This is a quick reference guide for you to ensure that you submit the required and appropriate documents with your application.

Application Required Documents.  The following must be submitted with the application.

☐  Complete and Signed Application (electronic signatures accepted).

☐  Birth Certificate (issued by the registrar of vital statistics in the state where you were born),

☐  High school diploma or equivalency certificate or transcript with seal/stamp.

☐  Driver’s License Photo in color

Additional Documents that may be submitted, but not required.

☐  DD214 if Military

☐  National Registry or Kentucky EMT or Paramedic Certification with Expiration Date

☐  College Degree or Transcripts

☐  Any Fire, EMS, Hazmat or Technical Rescue Documents

☐  Information Release Form

☐  CPAT Card if Available - w/ Expiration Date

Lateral Transfer Required Documents

(If you want to be considered for a lateral transfer, you must submit the following documents that relevant.)

 ☐  Kentucky 400-hour Fire Certification Certificate

☐  IFSAC Firefighter I and II Certification Certificates

☐  Proof of Work 2 years as Firefighter at a Career or Municipal Department

                               OR

☐  Paramedic National Registry or Kentucky Number

☐  Proof of Work 2 years as Paramedic at a Career or Municipal Department

**** Official Use Only****

☐  KY Certified Firefighter      ☐  IFSAC Firefighter I        ☐  IFSAC Firefighter II

☐  Paramedic Certified      

☐  EMT Certified