Ready to make a positive change? 

Ready to start a career that is much more than a job? 

Ready to join... not just a team... a family?

Then join the West Lafayette Fire Department! 

Benefits for Entry-Level and Lateral Firefighters

• 2025 Competitive Salaries:
  • Entry-Level and Lateral Firefighters Start at $70,282.94
  • Pension Base:  $81,156.42
• Longevity Pay after 5 Years
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan with a Matching Component 
• Membership in the INPRS Pension 
• Tuition Reimbursement/Collegiate Partnerships
• Free Membership to a State-of-the-Art Wellness Center Exercise Facility 
• Free Health Clinic for Employees and Families
• On-Site Tactical Trainers
• Medical, Dental,  and Vision Insurance with a Generous HSA City Contribution
• Specialty Teams (Tactical Rescue, Water Rescue, and Hazmat)
• Advancement Opportunities after 5 Years of Service
• Vacation Awarded in the First Year of Employment

Requirements

To be considered for the West Lafayette Fire Department, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

• Be a citizen of the United States and be able to produce satisfactory proof of
  the date and place of birth.
• Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age but under forty (40) years of age at
  the time of appointment. However, the age requirements do not apply to a person
  who has been employed previously as a full-time firefighter and is a member of the
  1977 Police Fire Pension Fund.
• Have a High School Diploma or High School General Education Development
  Certificate (GED).
• Possess a current valid Indiana driver's license (or obtain one within sixty (60)
  days of becoming an Indiana resident) and have no more than eight (8) active
  points for moving violations or restricted driver's license in any state.
• Have no felony convictions on their record.
• Have no domestic violence misdemeanor conviction on their record.
• Must not have a driving record indicating repeated and serious driving offenses,
  current history of recklessness, suspended license, etc.
• Must not have been dishonorably discharged from the military.
• Must not have used any illegal drugs/narcotics within two (2) years prior to the date
  of the polygraph.
• Have successfully completed a Candidate Physical Ability Test ("CPAT") not
  more than twelve (12) months prior to the written test date for the application cycle. (Not required for Lateral Transfers)
• The CPAT is designed and administered to evaluate whether a candidate has the
  physical capabilities to perform job tasks required of firefighters. The test must
  include, but is not limited to, testing for the following: fear of confinement, muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiovascular endurance, and musculoskeletal flexibility. All candidates are required to submit documentation that they have passed the CPAT at the time of application (or no later than September 27, 2025).
• Must possess the following vision standards: corrected binocular vision not worse than 20/30; corrected vision of the worse eye not worse than 20/50; uncorrected binocular vision not worse than 20/100 (exception: long-term successful users of soft contact lenses do not have to meet this uncorrected standard); the ability to distinguish colors of red, green, and amber, and have no pathology of the eyes (as set forth by the Indiana Public Retirement Fund-PERF).
• Meet any other requirements imposed by State or Federal law.
• Applicant must be able to pass a thorough background investigation.
• Applicant must submit to at least two (2) oral interviews.

 Process

All West Lafayette Fire Department applications MUST BE returned to the City of West Lafayette Human Resources Department. Applications are available through the City of West Lafayette website here.

1. Complete and Submit Application
   ^{Applications must be received by the West Lafayette Human Resources Department by the advertised deadline. No late applications will be accepted.}
2. Complete Physical Ability Test (Not Required for Lateral Transfers)
   ^{Applicant must obtain and submit the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) by time of application (no later than September 27, 2025). CPAT certification from any authorized site is accepted.}
3. Pass a Candidate Written General Aptitude Test 
4. Interview 1 - West Lafayette Fire Department Hiring Committee and Merit Commission
5. Interview 2 - West Lafayette Fire Department Hiring Committee and Merit Commission
   
6. Development of the Eligibility List by the Merit Commission or its Designee
7. Certification of the Eligibility List by the Merit Commission
8. Background Check 
9. Polygraph
10. Chief Interview
11. Notification of Conditional Offer of Employment
12. MMPI Test and Psychological Interview
13. Physical Examinations
14. Approval Through the Local PERF Board
15. Approval Through the State PERF Board
16. Hire Date