Firefighters/Hiring

About Hopkins Firefighters

The Hopkins Fire Department is a progressive, paid on-call fire department with a small complement of full-time staff that responds to wide variety of emergency fire and medical calls in Hopkins. 

Beyond call response, Hopkins Fire is involved in fire inspections, investigations, fire prevention activities and community EMT visits. 

The Hopkins Fire Department is also one of 11 Chemical Assessment Teams for the State of Minnesota, responding to a five-county area to support local fire departments in hazardous materials incidents.

All of Hopkins Fire Department members are trained at a minimum to Firefighter 1 & 2 certification and licensing, EMT, and Haz Mat Operations and/or Technician, with many other training and certifications available.  

To learn more about Hopkins Fire or about becoming a Hopkins Firefighter, call 952-548-6456.

Qualifications

Firefighter candidates must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Live within eight minutes of the Hopkins Fire Department
  • Have a valid Minnesota Driver’s License
  • Pass a written test (basic knowledge, nothing fire-specific)
  • Pass a physical agility test
  • Interview with a panel of firefighters and fire officers
  • Interview with fire chiefs
  • Pass a thorough background investigation performed by Hopkins Police
  • Undergo a psychological evaluation
  • Pass a medical exam and drug screening
  • Pass a probationary period of 12-24 months (depending on class schedules)

Benefits (as of January 1, 2020)

During the probationary period, firefighters receive on-call pay of $10.63 an hour. Once the probationary period is complete, firefighters receive an hourly pay of $16.48 for calls, drills, etc. All uniforms (except for a pair of station boots), gear, classes and training is paid for by the department. 

Firefighters who complete at least 10 years of service with the department are eligible for a pension.

Training & Time Commitment

All probationary members receive basic firefighting and emergency medical training. Most training is done during weeknights and occasionally on weekends.

Drills are held on Thursday nights from 6:30 p.m. until approximately 9:30 p.m., and all members are required to make at least 75 percent of drills, attend department and community service functions, and maintain at least a 30 percent call-back response percentage for the first five years.  

Probationary members will be required to attend classes, drills and call-backs during their probationary period. 

Most new members will spend between 15 to 20 hours per week in classes, drills and responding to calls. Additional opportunities to work standby shifts, other fire prevention activities and other community events are available as well.

Working Around Your Job

Getting released from work to respond to calls is a matter between you and your employer. Some employers permit their employees to respond to emergencies during the work day.