April 18 — MANSFIELD, CT — Mansfield Fire and Emergency Services is one of 11 Connecticut municipalities joining together to offer an entry-level testing program for men and women interested in a fire service career.
There are three main goals of this program: to reduce the testing cost for applicants, reduce the testing cost for municipalities and improve diversity.
According to a release issued by the Mansfield Fire and Emergency Services department, applicants typically must participate in independent testing procedures, each requiring an application fee and a written and oral examination.
The new consortium will charge a single fee and applicants will take one written and one oral examination to qualify for up to 10 departments.
According to the department, municipalities historically conduct independent tests for firefighter applicants, although the applicant pool is the same and communities test and retest the same individuals.
That process is time consuming and expensive for town staff.
The consortium will shift the management of the test process to a private vendor, IO Solutions.
However, the local municipalities are responsible for making the final selection per local hiring rules, which may include a separate interview by the department, fire commission or human resources department.
Finally, the consortium is working to increase diversity of women and minorities in the fire service state-wide.
Recruiting from urban communities in the state will help to meet that challenge, according to the news release.
The application period closes on May 4.
Other municipalities included in the consortium are: Branford Fire Department, East Hartford Fire Department, Fairfield Fire Department, Farmington Fire Department, Naugatuck Fire Department, New Canaan Fire Department, North Haven Fire Department, South Fire District in Middletown, Westport Fire Department and Wilton Fire Department.
People interested can apply at IOSolutions.com.
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