Topeka Fire Department

The Topeka Fire Department has been serving the residents of Topeka since 1870.

The Department is strategically located throughout the City of Topeka at 12 fire stations, an administration and training facility, and Fire Prevention have a total staff of fewer than 250. This includes a staff of eight that perform administrative, clerical and fleet functions. The remaining personnel are paid professional firefighters, of which 220 are State certified Emergency Medical Technicians trained to render aid in emergency situations; and Webster, an Accelerant Detection canine trained to detect ignitable liquids used to set and/or accelerate fires.

The Department is comprised of many organizational units and teams working together to help keep Topeka one of the safest communities in the Midwest to live and raise a family.

The Topeka Fire Department is committed to the pursuit of excellence and a commitment to public service. We encourage you and your family to visit any of our stations or contact us at 785-368-4000 for more information.
To save lives and protect property by providing excellence and leadership in fire, rescue, emergency medical response, fire prevention and public education.

2024 Test Dates

Registration for each test will commence after the previous test has been completed.
Entry level Firefighter testing dates & information

  • January 20
  • April 26
  • July 20
  • October 25

You will be contacted by email within 14 business days of your registration and you will be provided with detailed information on when and where to report for the test. Please ensure the email you provide during registration is accurate.

If you have previously tested for the Topeka Fire Department you can test again and the following will apply:

  • If you pass the examination, you are placed on an applicant list and considered for hire for one year from the date you passed the test. Applicants are placed on the applicant list and ranked based on test score.
  • You can take the test more than once. If you take the test a second (or subsequent time) your most recent written exam scores will be used to determine placement on the list.
  • If you pass a test and then retake and fail a second or subsequent test you will be removed from the applicant list until if and when you retake and pass another entry-level examination.

Topeka Fire Department Exam Requirements

  • You must be above 20 years of age by hire date
  • Must have high school diploma or equivalent
  • Must not have any automatic disqualifiers (important information and required reading)
  • Topeka firefighters are required to possess and maintain a valid KS driver’s license and city-insurable driving record

For more information on how to become a part of the Topeka Fire Department, click here