The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department has been approved by City Council to increase their overall staffing numbers. Testing is being conducted to fill full-time Firefighter/Paramedic vacancies. This test will also be used to establish an Eligibility List for future available positions.
City of Crystal Lake Employment Application Deadline:
Monday, September 28, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CST
National Testing Network Written Exam Deadline:
Must be completed through the National Testing Network by
Monday, September 28, 2026 5:00 p.m. CST. www.nationaltestingnetwork.com
Score must be submitted to Crystal Lake via the National Testing Network by September 28, 2026 5:00 p.m. CST.
CPAT (must include Ladder Climb): Must be dated between 9/28/25-9/28/26
**CPAT testing dates fill up fast, so DO NOT DELAY scheduling your CPAT exam**.
See below for links to CPAT testing facilities.
EMT Certification Requirements:
Must have Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) EMT-Basic License at time of application. Applicants are required to be Nationally Paramedic certified (National Registry) with the ability to obtain IDPH EMT-Paramedic Certified by date of hire.
Salary Range:
Effective May 1, 2025: $81,628 - $120,497. Currently in negotiations for a successor collective bargaining agreement.
Please note - The following documents MUST be uploaded to your application (If you do not have your CPAT card at the time you complete the employment application, this document can be provided at a later date to the Director of Human Resources, however no later than 5:00 PM 9/28/26):
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Proof of U.S. Citizenship (Birth Certificate, U.S. Passport, Naturalization Certificate)
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Valid driver's license
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High School Diploma or equivalent
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Illinois EMT-B or EMT-P
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National Registry Paramedic License (if obtained)
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CPAT Card (dated between 9/28/25-9/28/26)
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CPAT Ladder Climb (dated between 9/28/25-9/28/26)
Questions:
Contact Julie Meyer, Director of Human Resources
[email protected]
(815) 356-3653
About the Fire Rescue Department
The City of Crystal Lake is located in McHenry County, approximately 45 miles northwest of the City of Chicago. The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department provides service for the City of Crystal Lake, the Crystal Lake Rural Fire Protection District, the Village of Lakewood, and portions of Lake in the Hills. The area served is approximately 51.2 square miles, with a resident population of nearly 56,000 based on the 2010 census.
The City of Crystal Lake is the largest city in McHenry Country, and the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department’s service area includes four U.S. highways, a railroad (Union Pacific), three large lakes (Crystal Lake and Three Oaks Recreation Area), and McHenry County College.
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Three Stations
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Responded to 7,862 calls in 2025
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74 Sworn Personnel
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Specialty Teams include Dive Rescue, Technical Rescue, and Hazardous Materials.
Minimum Qualifications
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Valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) including ladder climb issued by a licensed agency no more than 12 months PRIOR to September 28, 2026 (CPAT cards must be dated between 9/28/25 - 9/28/26)
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Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) EMT-Basic License at time of application
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Applicants are required to be Nationally Paramedic certified (National Registry) with the ability to obtain the IDPH EMT-Paramedic Certified by date of hire.
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Applicant must be 20 years of age at time of application deadline (must have reached age 21 by date of hire) and under 35 years of age at time of application deadline, except as otherwise determined by State Statute.
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U.S. Citizenship
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No Felony Convictions
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High School Diploma or Equivalent
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Valid Driver’s License
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Ability to speak, read and write English
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Meet Visual Acuity Standard of correctable to 20/100 in each eye uncorrected, correctable to less than 20/40 and able to meet vision standards (NFPA 1582).
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Residency: Required to live within a 40 mile nautical radius of the City Municipal Complex upon completion of the probationary period.
For candidates with only a National Paramedic License (National Registry):
You are required to obtain an Illinois EMT or Paramedic license. Please visit https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/emergency-preparedness-response/ems/licensing.html and/or work with the organization from which you were sponsored to begin this process. Proof of such request from IDPH is required prior to the written exam and the actual Illinois Paramedic license will need to be provided prior to hire date.
Selection Process:
Each phase of the process is pass/fail and required to proceed to the next. Candidates who successfully pass the written exam will be invited to participate in an on-site interview to be held in October. An eligibility list of applicants will be established in numerical order based on a minimum passing score on the written examination and oral interview, which we anticipate posting by November. The Eligibility List is valid for a period of two years from the date of certification or until the list is exhausted. Further participation in our process will take place as vacancies occur. Applicants will be invited, in rank order, to participate in and successfully advance through the following steps:
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Basic interview with representatives of the Fire Rescue and Human Resources Departments
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Character and background investigation
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Polygraph Examination
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In-depth interview with representatives of the Fire Rescue and Human Resources Departments
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Post-offer examinations including but not limited to psychological evaluation, medical examination, vision screening and drug screening.
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All appointments are subject to a probationary period.
All portions of the testing process are mandatory. Failure to attend and complete any portion of the process will result in elimination from employment consideration.
The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department accepts for employment and promotes its employees without regard to perceived or actual race, age, sex, color, religion, political preference, national origin, disability, ancestry, marital status, order of protection status, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other status or class protected by federal, state, or local law.
The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department bases its hiring practices and promotions on merit, experience, education and other qualifications applied to all applicants and in accordance with the principles of equal employment opportunity and as required by any other applicable federal, state, or local law.
The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department complies with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Persons needing accommodations in the recruitment process should notify the City of Crystal Lake Human Resources Department in advance.
All information contained in or connected with this application will be considered personal and confidential to the extent possible or permitted by law and used only in conjunction with your possible employment by the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department. Please furnish us with complete information as outlined in this application.
THE CITY OF CRYSTAL LAKE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
CPAT/Ladder Climb Tests
Since 2011, Illinois has required that all applicants testing for Firefighter must successfully complete physical agility and ladder climbing tests. Tests are graded only as pass/fail, but you must pass both the physical agility and ladder climb portions to move on to the next step of the process.
What is the CPAT?
The CPAT is designed to assess your physical capacity to perform he tasks ordinarily performed by a Firefighter while on the job. During the test, you will perform a series of events that simulate firefighting activities, which will test your ability to perform a Firefighter’s job. The abilities that will be tested include cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, muscular endurance and flexibility.
Where Do I Take It?
The CPAT and Ladder Climb tests are offered at the following locations in Illinois:
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Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA)
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CPAT Schedule | NIPSTA, IL
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Village of Romeoville
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Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) | Romeoville, IL
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City of Naperville
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Candidate Physical Ability Test | The City of Naperville
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Huntley Fire Protection District
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CPAT Testing | Huntley FPD
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National Testing Network
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CPAT Pre-Test | CPAT Orientations and CPAT Practice Tests | National Testing Network
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Central Illinois Fire Chiefs Association
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Central Illinois Fire Chiefs Association :: CPAT Schedule
We strongly encourage applicants to contact one of the facilities for registration information about dates and fees as soon as possible as slots fill up very quickly.
Please Note: The City of Crystal Lake does NOT coordinate the CPAT testing. To register for testing and to obtain information about dates and fees, contact the above organizations directly. Each individual applicant is responsible for their own CPAT testing. The City of Crystal Lake is NOT affiliated with any CPAT testing center and does not offer this test.
What Is on the CPAT?
The CPAT consists of eight critical physical tasks that simulate actual job duties on the fire ground. Candidates must successfully complete the following:
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Stair Climb
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Hose Drag
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Equipment Carry
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Ladder Raise & Extension
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Forcible Entry
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Search
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Rescue
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Ceiling Breach & Pull
Ladder Climb
Illinois law also requires that all new Firefighter candidates must also successfully complete a ladder climb exercise and demonstrate an ability to operate from heights. A certification of completion will be issued to those who successfully complete the exercise. Candidate success is measured on a pass/fail basis. If you are completing the CPAT in a location other than Illinois, ask your facility if they offer this test.
