About the Career
Pay & Benefits
Firefighters and positions up to Captain are in the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) bargaining unit. This means that wages, benefits, and other matters are negotiated every few years with City management. Pay through June 30, 2023:
Starting salary: Firefighter/EMT-I: $58,743.08 | Firefighter/Non EMT-I: $57,032.12
After Year 1: Firefighter/EMT-I: $65,179.39 | Firefighter/Non EMT-I: $63,280.97
After Year 2: Firefighter/EMT-I: $68111.93 | Firefighter/Non EMT-I: $66,128.09
After Year 3: Firefighter/EMT-I: $71,039.51 | Firefighter/Non EMT-I: $68,970.40
After Year 4 (base pay): Firefighter/EMT-I: $73,980.75 | Firefighter/Non EMT-I: $71,825.97
Longevity increases occur after Years 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 25.
Benefits Package for IAFF employees
Advancement Opportunities
Specialty Skill Pay
Hazardous Materials Technician; Confined Space Technician, Rope Technician, Structural Collapse Technician, and Trench Technician; and/or Illinois OSFM Fire Investigator certification.
Engineers
Starting pay with EMT-I certification: $78,474.82
Starting pay without EMT-I certification: $76,189.15
Engineers are responsible for operating and ensuring the safety of those using departmental equipment.
Qualifications: Firefighters may test for the Engineer position after successfully completing five years of service with the UFD and successful completion of Fire Apparatus Engineer (FAE), Fire Service Vehicle Operator (FSVO) and Firefighter III/ Advanced Firefighter classes. Certification for the Firefighter III/Advanced Firefighter must be from the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM).
Lieutenants
Starting pay with EMT-I certification: $84,539.23
Starting pay without EMT-I certification: $82,076.93
Lieutenants command a fire company in responding to fire alarms and emergency medical calls; supervise, evaluate and train Firefighters on the fire company; inspect and maintain records; conduct inspections and public education programs; and assist in fire investigations.
Qualifications: Seven (7) completed years of service with Urbana Fire Department; Firefighter III/Advanced Firefighter certification or completion of this program within one (1) year of selection; provisional certification as an Illinois Fire Officer I within one (1) year of selection (depending on local class availability).
Captains
Starting pay with EMT-I certification: $89,611.45
Starting pay without EMT-I certification: $87,001.40
Captains are responsible for commanding one or more fire companies in responding to fire alarms and emergency medical calls; supervise Firefighters, Engineers and Lieutenants; evaluate and train Fire Fighters, Engineers, and Lieutenants on fire companies; inspect and maintain records; conduct inspections and public education programs; and assist in fire investigations.
Qualifications: Ten (10) completed years of service with Urbana Fire Department, with at least three of those years spent in the grade of Lieutenant with Urbana Fire Department. If the selected candidate has not successfully completed Fire Officer II prior to the promotion to Captain, the City will put them through the classes necessary after the promotion. The selected candidate must be provisionally certified as an Illinois Fire Officer II within one (1) year of appointment (dependent on local class availability).