Fire Recruitment

Department Mission Statement

Ramsey Fire is dedicated to protecting life and property in our community through emergency response, prevention, and education with pride, honor, and integrity.

The Department will continually strive to make the community safer now and in the future.

Department Facts

The Department comprises 48 highly trained, paid-on-call firefighters who are state-certified in firefighting and EMS response and respond to approximately 2,500 calls for service each year. It is considered a combination department with six full-time administrative staff members: a Fire Chief, a Deputy Chief of Operations and Logistics, a Deputy Chief of Training, a Fire Marshal, a Fire Inspector and a Fire Technician.

The City of Ramsey Fire Department has two stations:

Fire #1 – 15050 Armstrong Boulevard NW
Fire #2 – 5650 Alpine Drive NW

Time Commitment

Paid-on-call firefighters usually work full-time or part-time jobs while serving as Ramsey firefighters. The time commitment is approximately 8 hours per week, which includes training and shifts. Ramsey Fire operates a duty crew/paid-on-call model, allowing paid-on-call firefighters to bid monthly for evening and weekend shifts. This model also requires an overnight paid-on-call station response.

Training and Qualifications

The City will provide and pay for all formal (required) training. No previous experience is necessary. New firefighters will attend the Anoka County Fire Academy and also receive training from the Ramsey Fire Department.

Minimum qualifications include:
Must be 18 or older and possess a high school diploma or equivalent
Must possess a valid Minnesota Driver’s License with a good driving record and show proof of valid automobile insurance
Must pass an eight-station physical agility test, pre-employment workstyle assessment, and physical and drug screen
Must reside and/or be employed within an eight (8) minute response distance of either fire station

Duties

Hired firefighters will sign up monthly for duty crew shifts and respond to various emergency and non-emergency events under the general supervision of an officer. They are expected to function effectively as part of a highly trained team. Their duties will fall into the following general categories: fire suppression, emergency medical aid or rescue, hazardous material responses, and water and ice rescue.

Firefighters also participate in training and maintenance activities and have the opportunity to provide fire safety education, training, and community relations to the public.

Compensation and Benefit

Ramsey paid-on-call firefighters are compensated at an hourly rate for their time spent responding to emergencies, in training, and participating in community events.
Paid-on-call firefighters currently receive starting pay of $14.90/hour during their first year of service. Compensation increases with years of service, medical certification level (EMR or EMT), and promotional rank.
Firefighters can earn $17.36–$19.32/hour after the first year, with top-step pay reaching $21.32/hour for Captains with EMT certification after 10+ years of service.
Payroll is paid monthly and includes all on-duty hours, such as duty crew shifts, training, department callbacks, and outreach activities.
Employees will also become members of the Ramsey Firefighters Relief Association. Members who have served over 10 years are eligible for a lump-sum pension payment.
The pension is paid at 60 percent after 10 years of service, increasing by 4 percent annually, reaching 100 percent after 20 years of service. The Relief Association manages a Defined-Contribution pension plan with an annual allotment comprising state and City contributions, as well as deferred monies divided equally among qualifying members.

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