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SpU TH 8F <br /> � G <br /> z s <br /> 1865 <br /> CITY OF SOUTH BEND <br /> PETE BUTTIGIEG, MAYOR <br /> OFFICE OF THE MAYOR <br /> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <br /> May 24, 2012 <br /> Contact: Debra Johnson, Director of Communications <br /> Phone: 574-235-5853 <br /> SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT INCREASES EFFORTS <br /> TO RECRUIT MINORITY APPLICANTS <br /> SOUTH BEND—The South Bend Fire Department plans to increase efforts to recruit <br /> more minority applicants starting in June. Several researched methods for recruitment <br /> have been vetted by Mayor Pete Buttigieg along with Fire Chief Steve Cox to attract <br /> more applicants of diverse backgrounds to serve in the department. <br /> "We historically have had difficulty enticing minority candidates to come and pick up an <br /> application," said Chief Cox. "If we can't get enough minority applicants to fill out an <br /> application to enter the process, there will never be enough successful candidates to hire. <br /> We would like to get more candidates to apply." <br /> The Fire Department intends to use three key methods to reach more minority applicants. <br /> There are plans to meet with current minority firefighters to brainstorm what can be done <br /> to reach out to diverse communities. The Fire Department will meet with minority clergy <br /> of different communities within South Bend to also reach more applicants. The Fire <br /> Department also intends to have a training chief attend application sessions in different <br /> locations throughout the city, including the Kroc Center, La Casa De Amistad, and the <br /> Martin Luther King Recreation Center to distribute applications. Lastly, an application <br /> sign-up table will be available at Mayor's Night Out in June in addition to public service <br /> announcements on radio throughout the application season. <br /> "I feel we need to address the way our department gets the word out to prospective <br /> minority applicants. This way, the pool of applicants has a greater number of minority <br /> candidates, and one would expect that the number of successful candidates would <br /> increase proportionally," said Chief Cox. <br /> The Fire Department application hiring process begins June 1 and extends to July 13. <br /> Applications will be available at Central Fire Station at 1222 South Michigan St. To <br /> apply, applicants must be 21 by the time they would be sworn in to the department. <br /> 1400 COUNTY-CITY BUILDING•227 W.IEFFERSON BOULEVARD•SOUTH BEND,INDIANA 46601 <br /> PHONE 574/235-9261• FAx 574/235-9892 <br />