Drivers Wanted!

[phxfyr]

Recently, the Detroit Fire Department said that a shortage of certified drivers forced the closure of 12 neighborhood fire houses since Friday.
In my department, there are currently 20 openings for drivers and the 2-year eligibility list for engineer was exhausted in under 8 months. The department has a particular problem in recruiting paramedics to take the exam.

What methods does your department use to recruit qualified drivers? Does your organization have trouble getting firefighters to take the promotional tests?

[FireLt1951]

The administration brought about their own problems on drivers. We had over 150 people who requested to become certified drivers and the fire dept administration chose not to train them in a timely fashion. Now MIOSHA has layed into them and they are changing their tune now and training drivers everyday. They used to keep the drivers list updated until the last commissioner was brought in and screwed everything up. Now we have a cop running the show and things aren't much better.

We have no problem with people under 6 years wanting to be drivers. This is because they are paid at the drivers rate, which is more than the firefighter is earning during his first 6 years on the job. The pay is about $140.00 more a day for that person with less than 6 years. Our truck drivers make 5% more than a firefighter, so there is an incentive to become a driver. Our engine operators make 10% more than a firefighter. If it were not for the percentage increase we probably would have a hard time getting people to become drivers or engineers.

[ 07-03-2001: Message edited by: FireLt1951 ]

[BillyMott]

consider yourselves lucky, to have driver/engineer positions. We have been trying to do this for many years. However Admin. won't go for it. We get 1 40 hour course taught by the local Tech. Ed school with refresher's every 3 yrs.(I'm 2 yrs past due.) This was done mostly for finger pointing in case of lawsuits. While Admin. want's to have responsible dedicated people in this position they are afraid if the course is to hard they will end up with to many hurt feelings,(ie.senior guys getting bumped by junior guys) so they choose to go with the K.I.S.S method. Hey Firelt1951, Are you serious about that $140.00 a day differential pay for your guys? We get $14.00. :D

[FireLt1951]

An individual with 2 years on gains about $140.00 a day for driving. As that individual gets more years on, the amount is less. So it comes down to any where from $140.00 down to $30.00 a day. Most individuals with 2-3-4 or 5 years on can make more money being a driver. We have paid positions for Firefighter Driver and Fire Engine Operator. Offering individuals a pay incentive helps provide the drivers needed.