L.A. County Fire Department Hiring For First Time In Seven Years
During the LACoFD's last recruitment in 1997 they drew 19,000 applicants, said department spokeswoman Kristina Hajjar. This time they expect at least 30,000 applicants. "Some are worrying it could be 100,000 but I doubt it," she said
However many tens of thousands apply, it will be stiff competition for the approximately 150 positions to be filled from this pool, in classes of 40 at a time.
Hajjar said it's hard to compare the numbers to applications at other departments because hiring processes vary. However, the LACoFD is one of the largest fire departments in the world, she said, as well as one of the most sought after. In 1997 they drew applicants from as far away as Australia and England.
"It's the career opportunity of a lifetime," Hajjar said. "People stay for 30 years because of what the department has to offer." She said the department is known for its top notch training academy and numerous specialized training opportunities in Emergency Medical Services, Hazardous Materials, Air Operations, Homeland Security and Urban Search and Rescue, through which firefighters have provided aid around the world. "Not every department offers those types of opportunities," she said.
It also doesn't hurt that the popular '70s TV show "Emergency!" took place in Los Angeles. "'Emergency!' put our department on the map," Hajjar said.
The department also attributes the extra interest they are seeing to the increased profile of the fire service since 9/11. "I think it all factors in," Hajjar said. "Since 9/11 people look at firefighters differently. People knew what firefighters do but they were in the background. 9/11 really grabbed at everybody's heart."
Even with so many candidates already clamoring for jobs, the LACoFD is doing a full hiring campaign with media coverage and advertising on local television and radio stations, and ads at movie theaters. Hajjar said the reason for the campaign is to attract a diverse pool of applicants, and to make sure that everyone knows about the rare hiring opportunity.
"The department has had a need to reach out to reflect the community we serve," Hajjar said. She said the department's strategy is to make sure their applicants reflect the community, and then to choose whoever is most qualified.
That goal has prompted a first for this campaign, Hajjar said - recruitment targeted toward women. This effort is being led by Capt. Cindy Barbee, who was the first woman hired by the department in 1983. The campaign shows that women are now doing interesting and untraditional things in the department, Hajjar said, such as firefighter Carrie Henger, who works as a canine handler with the USAR team. They also point out that women have achieved some firsts in the fire department, such as their first female Battalion Chief, Deborah Lawrence.
Hajjar said Lawrence used to be a nurse because she loved the show "Emergency!" and modeled herself after Nurse Dixie. When she examined Cindy Barbee, however, she realized she could do what she really wanted - become a firefighter. The department currently has 27 female firefighters, one percent of their 2,800 total ranks.
Although the department will again have enough applicants to draw from for many years, officials plan to start offering the exam every two to three years to give people an opportunity more often, Hajjar said. Under the current system, young candidates have to wait until they are far into another career before even getting the chance to apply. The current system also eliminates those who can't make it to the limited sign-up events. Hajjar said one college student called her, devastated about the application dates, because he is studying abroad this year and can't come to file in person. Hajjar said the only exception to the requirement of filing in person is for those in the military, who can file remotely from where they are stationed.
According to a department press release, applications will only be accepted for a three-day period from December 2 through 4, 2004, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., at six locations throughout the county. The official Fire Fighter Trainee examination bulletin and employment application are posted online by the County at www.lacofd.org.
"Becoming a Los Angeles County firefighter is the pinnacle in a firefighter's career because of our department's reputation as a world class emergency services agency," said Los Angeles County Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman in a prepared statement. "Few fire departments can match the experience that we offer to firefighters seeking a prized career packed with excitement, diversity and purpose."