The City of West Allis Fire Department currently has minimum requirements to be considered to join the West Allis Fire Department as Firefighter. Those requirements are

• Minimum of 18 years of age.

• High school graduate.

• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

• State of Wisconsin certification for Firefighter Level 1 or a certificate that bears the seal of the IFSAC (International Fire Service Accreditation Congress)/Pro-Board equivalent.

• State of Wisconsin Emergency Medical Technician Basic License.

Locally, both Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) and Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) routinely hold classes to meet these requirements. Moreover, these can be obtained through various degree programs, or individual courses taken during a semester of school. Both MATC, and WCTC offer Fire Protection and Paramedic degree programs. These programs will only help you further understand the demands of this occupation. 

Currently, our department also has an intern program in conjunction with MATC. This program allows individuals currently enrolled in the MATC fire program to ride along and earn credits towards their degree. This gives you actual experience within our department and how we operate.  For more information about this program, please speak to the MATC fire program administrator.

State certifications can also be obtained at our technical colleges. These classes are individual classes to help you gain an official certification. They range from Fire Fighter Level I, Driver Operator, Fire Inspector, and several other state sponsored courses.  Additionally, the emergency medical service (EMS) side of the fire department had two options available. First you will need to become an emergency medical technician (EMT). After completion of this you can further you EMS development by enrolling in the Paramedic program. This will help you learn advanced prehospital care and techniques.

The fire service has many paths and each department has different requirements than the other.