Board of Fire and Police Commission announces firefighter testing for Sept. 10

QUINCY — The city of Quincy’s Board of Fire and Police Commissioners has announced a testing date of 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, for people interested in becoming a firefighter for the City of Quincy.

The written test will be conducted at John Wood Community College, 1301 S. 48th. The written test is valued at 60 percent of the final score. Only applicants scoring 70 percent or higher on the written examination will move on to the interview phase. 

Applicants must meet the following qualifications:

• 1. CITIZENSHIP – Must be a United States citizen. If not a resident of Quincy, applicant must agree to move to Adams County within six months after appointment. 
• 2. EDUCATION – High school diploma or equivalent is required. Associate’s degree is preferred. 
• 3. AGE – Not less than 20 ½ nor more than 34 years on the day of the test or have been actively employed as a career firefighter with an Illinois Fire Department or District within the last year. Any person who turned 35 while serving as a member of the active or reserve components of any of the branches of the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard of any state, whose service was characterized as honorable or under honorable, if separated from the military, and is currently under the age of 40 may also test. 
• 4. All applicants must pass the following: written examination, candidate physical ability test, oral interview, background check, psychological and polygraph tests, a physical examination and a drug test. A fact sheet explaining various points about being a firefighter is included in the application packet. 

The starting salary for a firefighter position is $50,881.85 plus subsequent increases and benefits. The city of Quincy is an equal opportunity employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. 

Applications, useful information, testing dates, times and location can be found at www.quincyil.gov under “What’s New” or “News and Announcements.” Anyone with questions after reviewing the website should email the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners at fire&policeboard@quincyil.gov.

Applications should be submitted to the Quincy Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, 730 Maine, Quincy, Ill. 62301. The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, Aug. 26 at 4:30 p.m.

It is highly recommended that applicants order the practice “Firefighter Aptitude and Character Test Candidate Orientation Guide” by clicking the following link: https://www.fpsi.com/product/fact-orientation-guide/. The guide is a helpful tool to prepare for the exam and can be downloaded as a PDF file and saved or printed.

Payments will be submitted through PayPal via an account or credit/debit card. Once payment is submitted, PayPal automatically redirects you back to the FPSI site. Access to the download link will be located on the Order Details-Checkout Status page. Applicants must pay close attention to all instructions on both FPSI and PayPal’s websites in order to access the instant download successfully. The cost of this download is $15. 

Interviews of candidates who achieved a written test score of 70 percent or higher will be conducted at Quincy City Hall, 730 Maine, Sept. 26-30 beginning at 1 p.m. Candidates will be notified by mail of the specific date and time. The interview scores are 40 percent of the final score. 

Tie scores will be resolved by each applicant’s written test score with the highest test score occupying the highest position on the list. 

Preference points will be awarded after final scores are calculated and the initial eligibility list is posted. Candidates must request the bonus points in writing within 10 days after the initial eligibility list is posted and furnish proof of qualifying preference. 

Available preference points: 

• Military Points – 5-point maximum per statute 
• Education – 3-point maximum
  Associates, bachelor or graduate degree – not fire-related (2 points)
  Associates, bachelor or graduate degree – fire-related (3 points) 
• Medical Training – 3-point maximum
  Current State of Illinois EMT license or current National Registry EMT certification (2 points) 
  Current State of Illinois paramedic license or current National Registry Paramedic certification (3 points)
• Experience – 5-point maximum
  Career firefighter or firefighter/paramedic – two years documented experience (5 points)
• Certifications – 2-point maximum
  State of Illinois Basic Operations Firefighter (1 point)
  State of Illinois Advanced Technician Firefighter (2 points)

All prospective applicants must have a valid candidate physical ability test card, upon notification of receiving a conditional offer of employment, unless they are currently employed by a full-time career department. 

Click here to view the application form.

Click here to view the online fillable application form.