How to Become a Firefighter in Grand Rapids

Becoming a firefighter in Grand Rapids, Michigan is a competitive but rewarding path. The Grand Rapids Fire Department (GRFD) is one of West Michigan’s largest and most respected departments, and they look for candidates who are physically prepared, well-trained, and deeply committed to community service. This guide walks you through the best way to prepare, train, and apply for a firefighting career in Grand Rapids.

Firefighting in Grand Rapids: Overview

The Grand Rapids Fire Department serves Michigan’s second-largest city, providing fire suppression, emergency medical response, technical rescue, and hazardous materials response. With multiple stations spread across the city and a busy call volume, GRFD offers a fast-paced, professional environment for both new and experienced firefighters.

Information about recruitment, testing, and hiring is maintained on the City of Grand Rapids website and its dedicated recruitment portal, JoinGRFire.com. Understanding their expectations early will help you tailor your education, fitness, and experience to stand out when hiring windows open.

Basic Requirements for GRFD Firefighters

Exact requirements can change slightly between hiring cycles, but the Grand Rapids Fire Department typically lists baseline qualifications on its official recruitment page:

• At least 18 years old at time of appointment
• High school diploma or GED
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record
• Ability to work in all weather and environmental conditions
• Capability to perform essential job functions, including lifting, climbing, and operating equipment
• Ability to pass a background investigation, medical exam, and drug screening

While the city may hire and then sponsor recruits through fire and EMS academies, candidates who already hold Michigan Firefighter I & II and EMT licenses are often more competitive. Think of the minimum requirements as your starting line, not your finish line.

Education and Training Pathways

There is more than one way to become a firefighter in Grand Rapids, but most strong candidates follow a path that combines college-level fire science education, a state-approved fire academy, and EMT or paramedic training.

1. Fire Science & Fire Academy Programs

Several West Michigan colleges and academies provide the foundational training GRFD and other local departments look for:

• Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) – GRCC offers fire science and public safety programs that can include preparation for Michigan Firefighter I & II certifications. Coursework often covers fire behavior, building construction, incident command, and hazardous materials. Check their Public Safety programs page for current offerings.
• Kent Career Technical Center (KCTC) – For high school students in Kent County, KCTC’s Public Safety or Firefighting/EMS pathways can provide an early start, introducing students to firefighting skills, physical conditioning, and emergency response basics.

Completing a formal fire academy before applying to GRFD can demonstrate your commitment and shorten the time it takes to become a fully deployable firefighter once hired.

2. EMS Training: EMT and Paramedic

Most calls for modern fire departments are medical in nature, and Grand Rapids is no exception. Having an EMT or paramedic license is a major advantage.

• EMT-Basic – Generally a one-semester to one-year program that teaches patient assessment, CPR, trauma management, and basic life support skills.
• Paramedic – A more advanced, 1–2 year program including pharmacology, advanced airway management, and cardiac care. Some departments strongly prefer or require paramedic-level providers for certain roles.

Look to local colleges and hospital-based programs in the Grand Rapids region for state-approved EMT and paramedic training that meets Michigan licensing requirements.

Key Fire and EMS Certifications in Michigan

To work as a firefighter in Michigan, you’ll need to meet state standards in addition to local department expectations. The Michigan Fire Fighters Training Council (MFFTC) oversees firefighter certification, while the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services regulates EMS licensing.

Firefighter I & II

Michigan Firefighter I & II certifications are typically earned together through a state-approved academy. Training includes:

• Fire behavior and combustion
• Use of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
• Ladder operations and search and rescue
• Ventilation, forcible entry, and fire attack
• Hazardous materials awareness and operations

After completing the academy, you must pass written and practical skills exams to be certified.

EMT and Paramedic Licensing

For EMS, your path typically looks like this:

• Complete an approved EMT or paramedic program
• Pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam at your level
• Apply for Michigan EMS licensure

Holding current CPR, EMT, or paramedic credentials when you apply to GRFD signals that you’re ready to contribute immediately to the department’s medical response workload.

Inside the Grand Rapids Fire Department Hiring Process

To understand the best way to become a firefighter in Grand Rapids, you need to understand how the GRFD hiring process usually works. While details can change, the process often includes the following stages, outlined on the City’s Fire Department Recruitment page and JoinGRFire.com:

1. Application Period

The City of Grand Rapids opens firefighter applications during specific windows. You’ll apply through the city’s online system, submitting your education, work history, and any fire/EMS certifications.

2. Written Examination

Qualified applicants are invited to a written exam that may test reading comprehension, mechanical reasoning, math, situational judgment, and basic public safety knowledge. Study guides or practice tests are often recommended; check the GRFD recruitment page for any official resources.

3. Physical Ability Testing

Next, applicants complete a physical ability test designed to simulate real firefighting tasks. This may resemble the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) or a similar job-related course, including events like stair climbs, hose drags, equipment carries, and victim drags.

The annual Grand Rapids Firefighter Challenge, promoted through events platforms like RunSignUp, is a public recruitment and fitness event that mirrors many of these tasks and is an excellent way to test your readiness.

4. Interviews and Background Checks

Those who pass the written and physical tests are typically invited to oral board interviews, where panels of officers and city representatives evaluate communication skills, judgment, and fit with GRFD’s values. Background checks, psychological evaluations, and medical exams follow for top candidates.

5. Recruit Academy and Probation

Selected candidates enter the GRFD recruit academy, where they receive intensive training in department procedures, firefighting, EMS, and physical conditioning. After graduation, new firefighters usually serve a probationary period during which performance is closely evaluated.

How to Prepare Physically and Mentally

Firefighting is physically demanding. Starting your conditioning early is one of the best ways to improve your chances of success.

• Build cardiovascular endurance – Running, stair climbing, rowing, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) help mimic the sustained effort required on fire scenes.
• Develop functional strength – Focus on squats, deadlifts, lunges, push-ups, pull-ups, farmer’s carries, and sled drags. These movements translate well to lifting equipment and moving patients.
• Train with weight – Once you have a solid base, practice climbing stairs or walking while wearing a weighted vest to simulate turnout gear and SCBA.
• Prioritize flexibility and injury prevention – Stretching, mobility work, and proper warm-ups reduce your risk of injury during testing and on the job.

Mental preparation is just as important. The work can be emotionally intense, so developing stress-management skills, resilience, and strong communication habits will help you thrive in a team-oriented, high-stakes environment.

Nearby Departments & Experience-Building Options

While your goal might be GRFD, gaining experience with nearby departments or related roles can strengthen your resume and confirm that firefighting is right for you.

Grand Rapids Fire Department (City of Grand Rapids)

The core goal for many is a full-time career with the Grand Rapids Fire Department. Follow their official channels and social media for announcements about recruitment events, ride-along opportunities (when available), and community outreach programs.

Grand Rapids Charter Township Fire Department

Grand Rapids Charter Township Fire Department provides fire and emergency services just east of the city. Many township and smaller suburban departments in Michigan use paid-on-call or part-time firefighters, which can be a great way to gain real-world experience while you continue your education and apply to larger departments.

Walker Fire Department

To the northwest, the Walker Fire Department serves the City of Walker, MI. Like other West Michigan departments, it offers another avenue to gain experience, learn station life, and build a network in the regional fire service community.

Serving as a volunteer or paid-on-call firefighter, working as an EMT for a local ambulance service, or taking on roles in public safety dispatch, hospital emergency departments, or security can all provide relevant experience that GRFD will value.