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1. What requirements are necessary to apply for the position of Firefighter?

The West Allis Fire Department participates in an annual recruitment of new firefighters, typically in the fall of every year. Please check this page periodically to see if we are hiring or fill out this form to be contacted when recruitment is open.

CLASS TITLE:      Fire Fighter

DEFINITION:  This is responsible and specialized work in a semi-military type of organization which requires employees to take orders and perform all assigned duties quickly and effectively.  Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of this position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: Responsible for fire suppression, fire inspection, vehicle and fire station maintenance, hazardous material response, rescue operations and emergency medical services; operates and performs maintenance checks on all fire department vehicles and equipment; responds as a member of a medical team to bring basic or advanced emergency medical care to the citizens of the community; prepares written reports and maintains records under the supervision of a shift commander/shift officer; participates in daily training exercises and classroom lectures; conducts fire inspections in various occupancies in the jurisdiction; performs duties as a fire apparatus driver and motor pump operator, when assigned; performs duties as a certified fire fighter/EMT-D according to criteria and standards set forth by the department, when assigned; responsible for cleanliness of station and maintenance of apparatus, tools, equipment and all other fire department property; conducts demonstrations, tours and public speeches on fire safety, fire prevention CPR, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, first-aid and other subjects to the public; performs other duties as may be assigned.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Standing, walking and sitting; stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling; running, grappling, climbing, balancing, bending and twisting; reaching, feeling, talking and hearing; far and near vision as follows: 20/40 in one eye and 20/200 in other eye, with correction: 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in other eye (no contact lenses); lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling of 100 lbs. or more; handling, grasping and fingering: fire hose, ladders, performing CPR, utilizing patient lifting devices, etc.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: Major life activities; effective communication, oral and written, with supervisors, peers and public; understanding and following work rules and suggested operating guidelines; read, write, add and subtract; knowledge of national, state and local laws and fire/safety codes; organize, direct and coordinate written and oral reports; skills in report writing, computer usage, driving and two-way radio usage; knowledge of fire protection systems, water supply, building construction, natural and man-made disasters, fire control and extinguishment and combustible and flammable materials; skills in firefighting, emergency medical service at the level of Emergency Medical Technician, fire inspection and public relations.

The descriptions noted above are intended as illustrations of the various types of duties to be performed in this class.  The absence of specific statements of duties does not exclude those tasks from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment of the position.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

1. Age 18 years and over as of application deadline.
2. High School Diploma or equivalent.
3. WI State Certification Fire Fighter Level 1
4. Current State of WI Emergency Medical Technician license
5. U.S. Citizen
6. Valid, unrestricted WI Driver's license (restrictions do not include eye glasses or lenses, however, contact lenses restricted to NFPA 1500 standard)
7. Applicants must be of excellent health. A thorough medical examination is required by a West Allis Police and Fire Commission-appointed physician prior to appointment, and the decision of the physician is final.
8. Applicant must be a non-user of tobacco products

Note: Applicants who have achieved more than one of the requirements stated in No. 2 will be given preference.

CITY OF WEST ALLIS                                         Developed 5/1984                 Revised 6/1999                     Reviewed 1/2023

2. Is outdoor burning allowed in the City of West Allis?

Open burning is prohibited in the City of West Allis, however, a device for the burning of wood that is equipped with a metal hood and screen that completely encloses the area where wood is burned so as to prevent embers or sparks from exiting the device is allowed. Additionally, such devices shall not be used on porches or decks or within ten (10) feet of a dwelling, garage or other accessory structure; such devices shall not be used between the hours of 11:00 pm and 8:00 am; and such devices shall be tended by a competent person at all times combustion is occurring.

3. Are fireworks allowed in the City of West Allis?

No. "Fireworks" means anything manufactured, processed or packaged for exploding, emitting sparks or combustion. For additional information, please review Chapter 6; Section 6.03 of the West Allis Municipal Code.

4. Are tours of the fire stations allowed?

Yes, but by appointment only.  To schedule a Fire Station tour, please contact Deputy Chief Armando Suarez Del Real at asuarezdelreal@westalliswi.gov 

5. Does the Fire Department offer CPR education?

We do not offer CPR instruction or recertification courses/classes.  Advanced Professional Healthcare Education (APHE) is an American Heart Association authorized training center and provides this type of instruction for a fee.  Please visit their website at https://www.aphed.com

6. Does the Fire Department install child safety seats?

No. The West Allis Fire Department staff is not certified to install child safety seats in private vehicles. If you are a West Allis resident, the West Allis Health Department will be able to assist and can be contacted at 414-302-8600 to schedule an appointment.  To find car and booster safety check locations in your area visit safekidswi.org.  

7. How can I get a copy of a fire, property or ambulance report?

To request a copy of a fire, property or ambulance report, click here. 

8. How do I apply for a permit for plan reviews, tents, fire protection systems, etc?

The Fire Department's required permits are available here:  Fire Permits

9. As a business owner, who can I contact after hours for non-emergent issues?

If you are a West Allis business owner and need to report a non-emergent issue, i.e. sprinkler system or fire alarm system is out of service, please relay your issue by emailing fireafterhours@westalliswi.gov 

10. Does the Fire Department offer free smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors?

The West Allis Fire Department has a smoke and carbon monoxide detector program that was developed to address the needs of the elderly and low-income residents who own their home within our community. State statute requires that there be one (1) smoke alarm on each level of your home (a 2-story with a basement would require three (3) smoke alarms. A smoke alarm must be located within fifteen (15) feet of a bedroom (a house with bedrooms on one side and the master bedroom on the other would require at least two (2) smoke alarms on that level). Additionally, homeowners with gas appliances must have one (1) carbon monoxide detector per level. These detectors can be purchased at most hardware or department stores. Look for the UL label on the package. This mark indicates that it has been tested and approved by Underwriters Laboratory. Please contact the Fire Department if you own your home and need assistance obtaining a smoke or carbon monoxide detector.

11. Are landlords required to provide smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers?

The owner of a residential building needs to provide smoke alarms for his/her property. The owner of a residential building shall install and maintain a functional smoke detector in the basement and at the head of any stairway on each floor level of the building. Also, the owner shall install a functional smoke detector either in each sleeping area of each unit or elsewhere in the unit within 6 feet of each sleeping area and not in a kitchen.

The state legislature lists a variety of requirements for carbon monoxide alarms (CO); in short, carbon monoxide alarms are required if the building and units have fuel-burning appliances. They are required in units, outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the sleeping rooms. Most furnaces and water heaters are located in the basement, therefore, a CO alarm shall be located in the basement away from the fuel burning unit to prevent a false activation. 

Wisconsin law states that if a detector is not working the landlord shall be notified. Within five days after receipt of notification, the landlord shall provide any maintenance necessary to make the detector operational.

Additionally, the owner of a residential building is not liable for damages resulting from any of the following:

1. A false alarm from a carbon monoxide detector if the carbon monoxide detector was reasonably maintained by the owner of the residential building.

2. The failure of a carbon monoxide detector to operate properly if that failure was the result of tampering with, or removal or destruction of, the carbon monoxide detector by a person other than the owner or the result of a faulty detector that was reasonably maintained by the owner as required. This law is also applicable for smoke alarms as well. 

Lastly, the landlord/owner is responsible for providing fire extinguishers as well. They shall be located in the common areas of the property and in the basement.  

12. How should I recycle/dispose of old smoke alarms?

Please review this Disposal of Smoke Alarms overview for the necessary information.

13. How can I dispose of old fire extinguishers?

Most fire extinguishers found in businesses must be maintained by a certified fire extinguisher company on an annual basis and can be serviced and reused for years, but extinguishers found in your home likely are disposable. 12 years after the date of manufacturing, the bottle of your fire extinguisher needs to be hydrostatically tested. It is likely less expensive, easier, and quicker to buy an entirely new fire extinguisher at your local home improvement store.

Expired extinguishers can be dangerous if put into your recycling cart if they are still under pressure, so please do not place them there. If you need to dispose of your old extinguishers, you can take them outside and release the pressure by spraying the extinguisher. Be advised that this may make a large cloud of dust or vapor, so be mindful of wind speed and direction. The dust may be corrosive to home and auto paint, so make sure you are far away from any vehicles and homes.

Empty canisters can be taken to the West Allis Municipal Yards Drop Off Site for disposal as scrap metal.

If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, you can drop off your old extinguishers at the West Allis Fire Department Administration Building, Monday thru Friday, from 8:30 AM until 4:00 PM and we will dispose of the extinguishers for you. You may also take old fire extinguishers to: Milwaukee Recharging Service 5707 W. Vliet, Milwaukee, 414-774-0772 Accurate Recharge & Fire 5811 N. 96th, Milwaukee 414-464-1870

14. Someone is at my door claiming to be a member of the WAFD. What should I do?

If you are approached by somebody claiming to be a member of the fire department, please ask for identification and note that all fire department employees would be in uniform and would be able to produce an identification card if requested. If you have any doubts as to the identity of a possible fire inspector, call the fire department at 414-302-8903 to verify his/her identity.

15. Does the fire department perform fireplace or chimney inspections?

No, the fire department does not perform chimney or fireplace inspections in residents’ homes. If you are approached by somebody claiming to be a member of the fire department offering these inspections, be suspicious. Please ask for identification and note that all fire department employees would be in uniform and would be able to produce an identification card if requested. If you have any doubts as to the identity of a possible fire inspector, call the fire department at 414-302-8903 to verify his/her identity.

16. Does the Fire Department conduct radon testing?

No, we do not. West Allis-West Milwaukee residents (with ID) can purchase a radon test kit from the West Allis Health Department for $7.  Test kits are also available at hardware stores or a Radon Information Center for around $20. Visit the WI Department of Health Services website for more information.