What if I do not have all the training requirements?
The firefighter/paramedic eligibility list (a hiring list established after testing) is good for three years or until the list is empty, which allows for time to attain the required certifications. A note about Emergency Medical Services (EMS) training: EMS is a large part of the Illinois fire service. If you have the ambition to become a career firefighter but have no interest in becoming an emergency medical technician-basic (EMT-B) or paramedic, you may need to reconsider. Nearly all paid departments in Illinois, especially in the Northern Illinois area, require firefighters to be paramedics. Most part-time departments, contract services, and even some Paid-on-call (POC) and volunteer departments require their members to be paramedics, or at a minimum, an EMT-Basic. You cannot become a paramedic until you are first an EMT-Basic.
What is an EMT-Basic?
EMT–Basic: An Emergency Medical Technician Basic (EMT-B) provides the foundational knowledge and skills needed to provide emergency medical care in pre-hospital settings, focusing on basic life support (BLS) interventions. Students learn to assess patients, manage emergencies, and stabilize conditions, including performing CPR, using an AED and managing airways. The course also covers trauma, medical and environmental emergencies, as well as psychological emergencies and basic patient handling and transportation. The course is anywhere in length from 12 to 24 weeks, depending on where it is taken.
The following programs are examples that fulfill the course requirements:
How do I become a Paramedic?
EMT–Paramedic: An Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) course prepares individuals to provide advanced emergency medical care and transportation for critical patients. It builds upon the foundational knowledge and skills of an EMT, adding advanced techniques like intubation, medication administration and defibrillation. The program typically involves classroom instruction, lab simulations, clinical rotations in hospitals and field experience on ambulances. The course length ranges from 6 months to 1 year, depending on the location.
The following programs fulfill the course requirements:
What is a CPAT Test?
The CPAT is the Candidate Physical Ability Test. The CPAT measures the physical ability to perform the job of a firefighter. After passing the CPAT, candidates will be issued a card. A current CPAT card is required at the time of hire. The test requires firefighter candidates to engage in the following activities:
- Stair Climb
- Hose Drag
- Equipment Carry
- Ladder raise and extension
- Forcible entry
- Search
- Rescue
- Ceiling Breach and pull
The following links provide more information on the CPAT Test:
What is a Kelly Day?
A Kelly Day is a paid day off as part of a shift. It counts as additional time off besides the scheduled time off that a firefighter receives.
What other training do I need before I get hired in Oak Park?
Nothing beyond the listed requirements. Once hired, a new firefighter/paramedic will be sent to a Firefighter Academy. This training is paid for by the Village and the employee receives a salary while at the Academy. Firefighting Academies are generally 8 to 10 weeks in length and are in preparation for the State of Illinois Basic Firefighter certification test.