Eligibility requirements

Application form

The application is designed to provide sufficient information to conduct applicant background checks such as state and national criminal history records, driver’s license checks, employment verification, and reference checks. Any material omission or inaccurate information may be cause for disqualification.

Age

The applicant must be at least 19 years of age and cannot be 35 years of age by the application closing date.

Education

The applicant must possess a high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent and be eligible to obtain certification as an emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Work history

The applicant will be disqualified for any of the following:

  • Applicant work record, including number and type of positions held, disciplinary actions and suspensions, and duration of employment, which, when considered in light of the type of work they are seeking, clearly indicates they would be a poor employment risk.
  • While employed as a firefighter, EMT, or paramedic, the applicant appropriated money, property, or evidence for personal use or purpose.
  • The applicant has omitted from the application any relevant employment information.

Driving record

Applicant cannot have:

  • A suspended operator’s license or have been convicted of driving a motor vehicle with a suspended, restricted, or revoked license.
  • 12 points assessed against the applicant’s operator’s license related to any state or federal law or valid city, county, or municipal ordinance.
  • Been convicted of a DUI within three years of applying.

Criminal conduct

The applicant will be disqualified for any of the following:

  • The applicant has been convicted of, pleaded no contest to, or had adjudication withheld for any felony charge.
  • The applicant has been convicted of, pleaded no contest to, or had adjudication withheld for a misdemeanor offense directly related to the position sought. It has not been four years since the expiration of the sentence.
  • The applicant is currently on probation for any criminal conviction.
  • Applicant admits to committing a felony or other job-related crime within five years of the application deadline and continuing to the date of employment.
  • The applicant has any pending felony charges or pending misdemeanor charges that are directly related to the position sought.

Drug use

The applicant will be disqualified if they have been involved with drugs under any of the following conditions:

  • Use or possession of any controlled substance (other than marijuana) defined as a violation under KRS 218A or any other applicable out-of-state or federal laws within the past 12 months prior to the application deadline and continuing to the date of employment.
  • Have been involved in the sale, cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, or trafficking of illegal drugs, substances, or prescription drugs in the past five years.
  • Use, possession, or sale of any controlled substances after becoming an EMT, paramedic, firefighter or peace officer.

False information

An applicant will be disqualified if they are shown to have knowingly omitted information or presented false oral or written information during their consideration for employment with the Lexington Fire Department.

Character

Applicant must demonstrate excellent moral character with respect to sobriety, honesty, maturity, loyalty, trustworthiness, reliability, discretion and associates.

Polygraph examination

The applicant must submit to a polygraph examination. The applicant will be disqualified if they refuse to take the examination or are suspected of deploying countermeasures to defeat the testing process. Failure to complete the examination will result in removal from the hiring process.

Medical examination

The applicant must pass a medical examination as administered by the physician of choosing by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. In addition, the applicant must provide any/all information requested and/or submit to any additional exams as specified by the designated physician or their designee.

Psychological examination

Applicants must submit to a psychological examination and meet the qualification standards. Any applicant refusing to submit to this exam will be automatically removed from the hiring process.

Military service and discharge

An applicant discharged from any branch of the United States Military, Military Reserves, or Coast Guard on a dishonorable discharge shall not be allowed to remain in the process. Any candidate discharged on less-than-honorable conditions may be removed from the process depending upon the circumstances.

Candidate physical agility testing

All applicants must successfully pass the physical agility test required at the time of the given hiring process.

Resources