How to get hired in a big city fire department?
All of your fire college and state certifications mean nothing to a big-city fire department hiring officer. Not a bit of your volunteer time, patches, ranks or awards will put you higher on the eligibility list. If you have the courage, read on to learn the “8 Secrets” of getting hired by that big-city fire department you dream about.
Are there fire departments that have stopped hiring?
Some fire departments have stopped hiring. Others have had to reduce positions and lay off employees. Unlike the recession in the mid-1970s, today’s downsizing may result in a permanent restructuring of local government. At the same time, many city fire departments are seeing retirements of those who were hired between 1965 and 1975.
Is there a hiring freeze for firefighter jobs?
That period had massive hiring to cover annexations and expansions. A city with a general hiring freeze may still be accepting firefighter applications. Firefighter hiring will take place only to replace existing positions vacated by retirements, dismissals and promotions. You need to specifically ask about firefighter openings.
Where can I find the fire department budget?
You can get an idea of what is happening in the department. Go to the reference section and look for the city’s annual report and current budget. Locate the fire department section of the budget. The budget is the spending map the fire department uses to operate during that fiscal year.
All of your fire college and state certifications mean nothing to a big-city fire department hiring officer. Not a bit of your volunteer time, patches, ranks or awards will put you higher on the eligibility list. If you have the courage, read on to learn the “8 Secrets” of getting hired by that big-city fire department you dream about.
Some fire departments have stopped hiring. Others have had to reduce positions and lay off employees. Unlike the recession in the mid-1970s, today’s downsizing may result in a permanent restructuring of local government. At the same time, many city fire departments are seeing retirements of those who were hired between 1965 and 1975.
That period had massive hiring to cover annexations and expansions. A city with a general hiring freeze may still be accepting firefighter applications. Firefighter hiring will take place only to replace existing positions vacated by retirements, dismissals and promotions. You need to specifically ask about firefighter openings.
You can get an idea of what is happening in the department. Go to the reference section and look for the city’s annual report and current budget. Locate the fire department section of the budget. The budget is the spending map the fire department uses to operate during that fiscal year.