Recruiting

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About the Zionsville Fire Department 

The Zionsville Fire Department (ZFD) was formed as an all-volunteer department in 1930 and transitioned to a full-time career department in 2007. Members work a 24/48 schedule with a "Kelly Day." The department is rated as ISO Class 2 and currently operates with 77 career members who provide emergency fire and emergency medical services (EMS) to the 67 square miles of Zionsville from three fully staffed stations and one station in the former Perry Township with contracted services by the Perry Township Volunteer Fire Department of Boone County.

The Town of Zionsville is home to an incredible school system, a flourishing small business footprint and a robust trail and parks system, making it a great place to live and work. 

1. Application Submission

CPAT: This is a physical fitness portion of the application process. Click here for CPAT test highlights. A third-party company conducts the physical fitness part of the process, and the testing locations are below:

2. Written Examination

This examination is a basic aptitude test. You will be given a period to study before taking the examination. The examination takes approximately 90 minutes. 

3. Ladder Climb & Tunnel Crawl

  • This section of the application is to test for fear of heights and claustrophobia. To test for fear of heights, you will be asked to climb 100 ft on our aerial device at a 70-degree angle for the ladder climb. 
  • To test for claustrophobia, you will wear an air pack device for the tunnel crawl and be asked to crawl through a maze.

4. Oral Interview Board & Chief’s Interview 

  • The interview consists of a variety of questions from 5 members. After the conclusion of this interview, a 10-minute one-on-one interview with Fire Chief James VanGorder.

5. Background Investigation

  • The Town of Zionsville conducts every applicant's criminal history, credit history, and driving report.

6. Conditional Offers

  • The applicant will receive a medical and psychological evaluation required for entry to the Indiana Public Employees Retirement Plan (PERF77). 

**Note: The application process time varies and can take up to 20 weeks.