Aug. 09--More than 1,600 applications were turned in this week from job seekers hoping to be selected to fill 15 new Glendale firefighter positions.
The city began accepting online submissions on Monday and has accumulated a mass of applicants from California as well as other states, according to Aymee Martin, human resources administrator. Job hopefuls still have until Aug. 16 to apply.
"They are just looking for that one opportunity," she said.
The open firefighter positions have drawn more applicants in the first week of recruitment than the Glendale Police Department received during its latest effort to hire new officers.
The police department collected 815 applications during its July recruitment campaign, which was aimed at filling general and bilingual officer positions.
The Los Angeles City Fire Department received more than 13,000 applications last year to fill 350 firefighter positions over the next two years.
Nine firefighters were recently hired by the Burbank Fire Department, but 3,500 job seekers applied in October 2010 to take a written exam, according to Fire Chief Tom Lenahan.
Glendale fire officials have taken their recruitment efforts to social media, using Twitter and YouTube to get the word about the new positions.
The fire department is looking for recruits who are willing to provide community service and have exemplary ethics.
After applying, job seekers must take a written exam, which will likely be given in September.
The application process includes a background investigation, credit check and polygraph test, as well as written, oral and performance exams.
After candidates pass the application process, fire officials will select 15 recruits.
In mid-March 2014, the recruits will begin a 14-week academy, which will include learning how to pull hoses, carry ladders, use fire equipment and rescue victims.
The new Glendale firefighters, who will be on probation for a year, can expect to receive a starting monthly salary of $5,726, as well as health benefits.
For more details about the firefighter positions, visit glendalefire.org.
Alene Tchekmedyian contributed to this report.
Copyright 2013 - Glendale News-Press, Calif.
