Become a Firefighter
Are you interested in giving back to your community and serving on the New Richmond Fire & Rescue Department? Please contact Human Resources Manager Sarah Reese at 715-246-4268 or sreese@newrichmondwi.gov to complete an application form and to learn more. Applicants will be invited to participate in an interview process. New probationary firefighters are formally approved by the Police & Fire Commission, pending completion of a background check and physical exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a City resident? No. Firefighters must reside within fifteen miles of the City boundaries; several firefighters reside in the surrounding townships/villages. Many of our firefighters also work outside of New Richmond and even in Minnesota.
Do I need advance training to be hired? No. While we certainly welcome firefighters with previous experience and training, most new hires have little or no previous training or experience. Probationary firefighters must complete over 100 hours of coursework offered through Northwood Technical College (or another college) including Firefighter I, Hazmat, Auto Extrication, and Emergency Medical Responder to gain the basic knowledge and skills necessary to safely perform firefighting functions. Registration fees and the cost of books/materials are covered.
What is the time commitment? The New Richmond Fire & Rescue Department has regularly scheduled meetings and trainings on Monday nights. Vehicle and equipment maintenance trainings are scheduled every six weeks on Tuesdays for two hours. Firefighters shall respond to a minimum of 25% of fire calls per calendar year unless they have an approved absence.
What is expected of my employer? Some professions, due to the nature of their position, may not allow for a firefighter to leave work, so communication is important to be sure that employers and employees have a mutual understanding of expectations. Employers should understand there could be instances where an employee may need to be late to work or leave work in order to respond to an emergency.
What are the benefits of serving as a paid per call firefighter? Firefighters make a direct impact in their community and find it rewarding to serve others in a time of need, and to interact with and educate their fellow citizens about fire safety. Firefighters develop strong relationships with fellow firefighters and first responders in New Richmond and neighboring agencies. Serving as a firefighter is also a great opportunity to further develop one’s leadership skills, confidence, and abilities to communicate and work together on a team.
Are firefighters paid? The New Richmond Fire & Rescue Department is not a full-time career department that one might find in a larger city; our firefighters have their own full-time employment elsewhere. While firefighters receive some monetary compensation for their efforts, they serve first and foremost to help the community. Probationary firefighters who have not yet completed their coursework earn $14 per hour. After moving to non-probationary status, firefighters earn $18 to $20 per hour based on years of service and position/rank.