Skip to main content
City of Madison
  • Accounts
    • All Accounts
    • My Account
    • ePayments
    • Water Customer Care
    • Employment
    • Licenses & Permits
  • Services
  • Jobs
  • Agencies
    • All Agencies
    • Assessor's Office
    • Attorney's Office
    • Building Inspection
    • Civil Rights
    • Clerk's Office
    • Common Council
    • Community Development
    • Development Services Center
    • Economic Development
    • Employee Assistance Program
    • Engineering
    • Finance
    • Fire
    • Fleet Service
    • Golf
    • Goodman Pool
    • Housing Authority
    • Human Resources
    • Information Technology
    • Madison City Channel
    • Madison Public Library
    • Madison Senior Center
    • Mayor's Office
    • Metro Transit
    • Monona Terrace
    • Municipal Court
    • Office of Business Resources
    • Office of Real Estate Services
    • Olbrich Botanical Gardens
    • Parking Utility
    • Parks
    • Planning
    • Planning, Community & Economic Development
    • Police
    • Public Health Madison & Dane County
    • Public Works
    • Streets & Recycling
    • Traffic Engineering
    • Transportation
    • Treasurer's Office
    • Warner Park Community Recreation Center
    • Water Utility
  • Data
  • Contact
    • Mayor
    • City Council
    • City Staff & Agencies

Search form

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

  • City Services
  • Public Health
  • Get Alerts
  • Español
  • Hmoob
Madison Fire Department

City of Madison Fire Department

Steven Davis, Fire Chief

Invest in People Today!

  • Home
  • Stations
  • Join MFD
  • Your Safety
  • Permits & Inspections
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Emergency Management
  • About
  • Media
  • Contact
  1. City of Madison
  2. Fire
  3. Join MFD
  4. About the Process
  5. Academy

Academy

Two recruits are leaning over the top of a tall wall, and are pulling up a third recruit. A group of recruits at the bottom of the wall are helping left up the recruit.What is the Recruit Training Academy?

The Madison Fire Department Recruit Training Academy is designed to teach new firefighters and to challenge firefighters holding current State certifications.

During the Academy, recruits begin with the basics of firefighting and progress until they are performing advanced, evolution-based scenarios such as smoke diving, advanced rescue, engine company "combat ready" drills, firefighter survival and rescue, and training needed to become a Hazardous Materials Technician and Emergency Medical Technician.

The Academy is physically and mentally challenging. Not all recruits make it through to completion. The MFD Training Staff is committed to making the best new firefighters and making existing firefighters better.

How long is the Recruit Academy?

The Recruit Academy takes up to 20 weeks to complete. If a recruit has existing certifications and appropriate licenses, the Academy may be shortened.

Are new recruits paid while in the Recruit Academy?

Yes. For more information on salary and benefits visit any one of the following sites:

  • Fire Fighters Local 311
  • City of Madison Human Resources Department Contracts - Local 311 Contract

I've been a firefighter for XX years; do I still have to go to the Recruit Academy?

Yes. All new members of the Department are required to attend the Recruit Academy regardless of past years of firefighting experience. However, pending an assessment by the Training Division, some experienced firefighters may qualify for an accelerated academy schedule. This accelerated academy is designed to help the recruit become a successful member the Engine/Ladder company to which they'll be assigned upon completion of the Academy.

Join MFD

  • About the Process
    • Multiple-Choice Test
    • Interviews
    • Physical Ability Test
    • Academy
  • What We Do
  • Why MFD
  • What We Look For
  • Salary
  • Training
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Talk to a Recruiter

Get Recruitment Updates

Subscribe to the Join the MFD Team Updates email list

By participating on this list the Wisconsin Public Records Laws may subject your email address to disclosure to third parties. By selecting "Yes" you are requesting that we treat your email address that you have provided to this list as confidential and you are also stating that you would not participate in this service if the City is obligated to release your email address to such third party requesters.

Recruitment Questions

  • JoinMFD@cityofmadison.com
  • Phone: (608) 513-3446

City of Madison Fire Department

City of Madison Fire Department
314 W. Dayton St
Madison, WI 53703
  • Administration Phone:
    (608) 266-4420
  • Dane County Communications Non-Emergency Line:
    (608) 255-2345
  • Fax: (608) 267-1100
  • Email: fire@cityofmadison.com
  • Office Hours: M - F: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
  • WI Relay Service

Join MFD

  • Talk to a Recruiter
  • About the Job
  • About the Process
  • What We Look For
  • Frequently Asked Questions

I Want To...

  • Find my Fire Station
  • Smoke Alarm Information
  • Do I Need a Permit?
  • Pay an Ambulance Bill
  • Request a Fire Report

Stay Informed

  • Fire Chief's Blog
  • Fire Daily Reports
  • Fire Department Blog
  • Fire Department Email Lists
  • Fire Department Facebook
  • Fire Department Flickr
  • Fire Department Instagram
  • Fire Department Twitter
  • Fire News Releases

All Social Media »

City of Madison, Wisconsin logo, copyright City of Madison

Our Madison – Inclusive, Innovative, & Thriving

Copyright © 1995 - 2021 City of Madison, WI
  • Contact Webmaster
  • Accessibility
  • Web Policies
2019 Winner of the Digital Cities Survey by the Center for Digital Government