Join Dayton Fire Department
Paid On-Call Firefighting is a rewarding and valuable way to serve your community. It takes dedication and many hours of training and education. If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, there is a place in our department for you.
Interested candidates can fill out an application and mail it to City Hall or email it to City Clerk/Assistant City Administrator, Amy Benting at hr@daytonmn.gov
Requirements
To join the fire department, candidates must:
- be 18 years or older
- have a high school diploma
- be able to pass a criminal background check and psychological evaluation
- have a valid Minnesota driver’s license
- pass a physical agility test (PAT)
- live within 10 minutes of a Dayton fire station, per Google maps.
- It is not required that candidates live within the boundaries of Dayton
Dayton Fire Department Hiring Process
In addition to the general requirements, there are several steps in the DFD hiring process. Please note that the full process can take up to 2 months. If there are no positions open at the time of your inquiry, your application will be saved and you will be contacted when a position comes available.
- Applications for the next hiring cycle will be accepted through October 30, 2026 at 12:00pm (noon)
- Attend a Physical Ability Test session
- Interview with a panel of up to six department members
- BCA criminal background and driving record check
- Psychological Evaluation
- Full physical, including drug test, hearing screening and EKG
Submit An Application This can be sent to City Hall or emailed to hr@daytonmn.gov
Serve Your Community. Make a Difference. Become a Dayton Firefighter!
The City of Dayton Fire Department is looking for dedicated individuals who want to serve their community, work as part of a team, and make a difference when people need help the most.
You don’t need to have previous firefighting experience to apply. We will provide the training and education necessary to help you become a successful firefighter.
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about becoming a Paid-On-Call Firefighter with the City of Dayton.
A Paid-On-Call Firefighter is a member of the Dayton Fire Department who responds to emergency calls, participates in department training, and works scheduled Duty Crew shifts while maintaining other employment or personal commitments.
Paid-On-Call Firefighters are an important part of the Dayton Fire Department’s staffing model and play a critical role in providing fire, rescue, and emergency medical services to our community.
The expected time commitment for a Paid-On-Call Firefighter is approximately 20 hours per month.
This includes:
- 8 hours of scheduled Duty Crew
- 8 hours of department training
- Approximately 4 hours responding to emergency all-calls
The actual amount of time spent responding to emergency calls will vary depending on call volume and your availability.
We recognize that our firefighters have jobs, families, and other commitments. Our goal is to provide a reasonable monthly commitment while maintaining the staffing necessary to provide a high level of emergency service to our community.
Monthly Time Commitment
|
Activity |
Approximate Hours |
|
Scheduled Duty Crew |
8 hours |
|
Department Training |
8 hours |
|
Emergency All-Call Response |
4 hours |
|
Total |
Approximately 20 hours per month |
The City of Dayton provides a progressive pay structure that recognizes firefighters as they complete training, certifications, and their probationary period.
$15.00 per hour – Northwest Suburban Fire Academy EMT Class
New Paid-On-Call Firefighters are compensated at $15.00 per hour while attending the Northwest Suburban Fire Academy EMT class.
$17.00 per hour – Firefighter I, Firefighter II & Hazmat Operations
Upon successful completion of Firefighter, I, Firefighter II, and Hazmat Operations, your hourly rate increases to $17.00 per hour.
$19.00 per hour – Fire Apparatus Operator/Aerial Operator
Upon successful completion of Fire Apparatus Operator/Aerial Operator, your hourly rate increases to $19.00 per hour.
$25.02 per hour – Completion of Probation
After successfully completing your probationary period and meeting all department requirements, you will move to the department’s established firefighter pay scale at $25.02 per hour.
Firefighter Pay Progression: $25.02-$31.66
No.
The City of Dayton Fire Department welcomes applicants who have little or no previous firefighting experience.
New firefighters will receive the training necessary to obtain the required certifications and develop the skills needed to become a successful member of the department.
We are looking for individuals with the right attitude, work ethic, dependability, and desire to serve their community.
You don’t have to know everything when you start. We will teach you the skills.
No.
You do not need to be an EMT to apply for the Paid-On-Call Firefighter position.
New members will attend the Northwest Suburban Fire Academy EMT program as part of their initial training.
Paid-On-Call Firefighters are expected to participate in approximately 8 hours of department training each month.
Training is essential to being a firefighter and helps ensure members are prepared to respond safely and effectively to emergencies.
Training may include:
- Fire suppression
- Emergency medical services
- Search and rescue
- Vehicle extrication
- Hazardous materials
- Firefighter survival
- Equipment operations
- Incident command
- Building construction
- Emergency vehicle operations
- Other fire and emergency response skills
A Duty Crew shift is a scheduled period when firefighters are assigned to be available at the fire station and ready to respond to emergency calls.
Paid-On-Call Firefighters are expected to complete approximately 8 hours of scheduled Duty Crew each month.
Duty Crew provides an important opportunity for firefighters to work together, maintain their skills, become familiar with department equipment, and provide additional emergency response coverage.
An all-call is an emergency dispatch in which department members are requested to respond.
Paid-On-Call Firefighters are expected to make a reasonable effort to respond to emergency calls when they are available.
Approximately 4 hours per month of the expected 20-hour monthly commitment is associated with emergency all-call response.
The actual number of calls and time spent responding will vary depending on emergency call volume and the firefighter’s availability.
No.
However, Paid-On-Call Firefighters must live within 10 minutes of one of the City of Dayton’s fire stations.
This requirement helps ensure Paid-On-Call Firefighters can respond to emergency calls in a timely manner and helps the department maintain reliable emergency response coverage.
Yes.
The Paid-On-Call Firefighter position is designed to accommodate individuals who have other employment, family, and personal commitments.
Many of our firefighters have full-time careers outside of the fire service. The approximately 20-hour monthly commitment is designed to balance those responsibilities with serving the Dayton community.
We are looking for individuals who are:
- Dependable
- Team-oriented
- Willing to learn
- Committed to serving the community
- Professional and respectful
- Able to work in a fast-paced environment
- Physically capable of performing firefighter duties
- Willing to participate in training
- Willing to respond to emergency calls when available
- Committed to working safely
Previous firefighting experience is not required. A positive attitude, strong work ethic, willingness to learn, and commitment to your fellow firefighters are some of the most important qualities we are looking for.
Becoming a Paid-On-Call Firefighter provides an opportunity to:
- Serve your community
- Help people during emergencies
- Learn valuable fire and EMS skills
- Receive professional fire service training
- Earn money while obtaining certifications
- Work as part of a team
- Develop leadership and communication skills
- Build relationships with other public safety professionals
- Gain experience that can lead to future opportunities in the fire service
Most importantly, you will have the opportunity to make a difference in your community when people need you the most.
If you have ever thought about becoming a firefighter but weren’t sure if you had the experience or time, we encourage you to take a closer look at the Dayton Fire Department’s Paid-On-Call Firefighter program.
You do not need previous firefighting experience.
You do not need to be an EMT.
You can have another full-time job.
What you need is the desire to serve, the willingness to learn, and the commitment to be there for your fellow firefighters and the community.
With an expected commitment of approximately 20 hours per month, the Dayton Fire Department offers an opportunity to become part of something bigger while continuing your career and personal commitments.
If you are dependable, motivated, willing to learn, and interested in serving the Dayton community, we encourage you to apply to become a Paid-On-Call Firefighter with the City of Dayton Fire Department.
We can teach you how to be a firefighter. We can’t teach the desire to serve.
Join the Dayton Fire Department. Serve Your Community. Make a Difference.