NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- While the Police Department marches toward a spring start for an academy class, the Fire Department hiring process has stalled for now.
"We're looking to move forward as soon as possible," said city Chief Administrative Officer Rob Smuts. But he provided no timetable.
After initially planning to take applications in November, the city has not yet posted the job openings for entry-level firefighters as officials weigh several proposals that might help city residents land more of the jobs.
Assistant Fire Chief Patrick Egan said he didn't know when the hiring process would begin. With existing vacancies, he estimated the department is about 20 percent below full staffing levels.
Meanwhile, the Police Department is on target to start its academy class in May, according to Capt. Denise Blanchard, who oversees the academy. The city posted those jobs openings in November.
The city administered the civil service test and conditional offers already have been issued to prospective officers. The candidates now are completing the final vetting process, which includes background checks, and psychological and polygraph tests.
The holdup in the Fire Department involves three residency proposals. Smuts said all three are being examined.
"We're working through a lot of the issues that have come up, doing a lot of research and having a lot of conversations."
The three proposals are: Capping the number of applications at about 800 and reserving half for city residents; requiring all candidates be city residents at the time of application; and increasing from five to 10 the number of extra points city residents are given on their civil service exam score.
The last proposal was raised by the Board of Aldermen in a resolution urging the Civil Service Commission to amend its rules. It would apply not just to the Fire Department, but all civil service jobs in the city.
The proposal was introduced by all 30 aldermen.
It has the support of the New Haven Firebird Society, a fraternal organization for black firefighters. The group is active in a newly created public safety academy at Hillhouse High School designed to promote interest in public safety careers.
When it was launched, Fire Lt. Gary Tinney floated that as a way to help young people who complete the academy land jobs in fire service in New Haven.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
