CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING FOR APPLICANTS
The Chicago Fire Department is seeking applicants for Firefigher/EMT.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY BROWN FARMER MEDIA.
APPLICANTS
BY TIA CAROL JONES
The Chicago Fire Department is looking for its next generation of Firefighter/ EMTs. There hasn’t been an exam since 2014.
Applicants should be 18 by Dec. 1st and not older than 38 by May 1, 2023. They should have a high school diploma or GED, a valid U.S. License at the time of pre-employment processing, a U.S. Citizen or authorized to work permit in the United States at the
time of processing. If hired, applicants must live in the City of Chicago, and will have to take a Candidate Physical Ability Test.
There is a push to have more representation within the Chicago Fire Department from Communities of Color. For the first time in the history of the Chicago Fire Department, there is a minority recruiter , The Brown Farmer Media Group, doing outreach in the
community. The goal is for the Chicago Fire Department to reflect the diversity that exists within the City of Chicago.
Nance-Holt believes that representation can help spur diversity within the ranks of the Chicago Fire Department. If people see people that look like them, they can aspire to do that job, or work in that field.
“It’s a great job, it really is a great profession. It’s not a job, it’s a profession, it’s a family. It provides for a great, great life,” Nance-Holt said.
The starting salary is $62,466 and those who pass the exam and the Candidate Physical Ability Test will be trained for 12 weeks and have their unforms paid for. Those who study stay the course, apply themselves and graduate will receive health, dental and life
insurance. Becoming a Chicago firefighter can provide economic stability.
“You are a role model in your community and you can help us mentor others who would maybe not consider doing this, but after seeing who you are and what you do, they will want to do what you do,” Nance- Holt.
The last exam was in 2014. There were more than 25,000 people who applied. Typically, only between 300-400 firefighters are hired each year, depending on attrition.
When Nance-Holt became a firefighter, it was like winning the lottery. For her, it is the best career she never planned for. She was named Chicago Fire Department Commissioner in June 2021. She is the first woman and the first woman of color to lead the Chicago Fire Department. It’s been busy and non-stop.
It has been even busier lately because of the budgeting season and recruitment.
“One of my goals coming into this was trying to help diversify the department. The only way to do that is by bringing people in the door. If we’re not bringing people in the door, then we can’t get them promoted up through the ranks,” Nance-Holt said.
Those interested in speaking with a recruiter can email cfdrecruitment@cityofchicago.org. If people are having issues during the application process, call 312-744-4976. People are also encouraged to sign up before Oct. 17th at igniteyourcareercfd.com.
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