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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-24-2012 South Bend Fire Department Increases Efforts to Recruit Minority Applicants SpU TH 8F � G z s 1865 CITY OF SOUTH BEND PETE BUTTIGIEG, MAYOR OFFICE OF THE MAYOR FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 24, 2012 Contact: Debra Johnson, Director of Communications Phone: 574-235-5853 SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT INCREASES EFFORTS TO RECRUIT MINORITY APPLICANTS SOUTH BEND—The South Bend Fire Department plans to increase efforts to recruit more minority applicants starting in June. Several researched methods for recruitment have been vetted by Mayor Pete Buttigieg along with Fire Chief Steve Cox to attract more applicants of diverse backgrounds to serve in the department. "We historically have had difficulty enticing minority candidates to come and pick up an application," said Chief Cox. "If we can't get enough minority applicants to fill out an application to enter the process, there will never be enough successful candidates to hire. We would like to get more candidates to apply." The Fire Department intends to use three key methods to reach more minority applicants. There are plans to meet with current minority firefighters to brainstorm what can be done to reach out to diverse communities. The Fire Department will meet with minority clergy of different communities within South Bend to also reach more applicants. The Fire Department also intends to have a training chief attend application sessions in different locations throughout the city, including the Kroc Center, La Casa De Amistad, and the Martin Luther King Recreation Center to distribute applications. Lastly, an application sign-up table will be available at Mayor's Night Out in June in addition to public service announcements on radio throughout the application season. "I feel we need to address the way our department gets the word out to prospective minority applicants. This way, the pool of applicants has a greater number of minority candidates, and one would expect that the number of successful candidates would increase proportionally," said Chief Cox. The Fire Department application hiring process begins June 1 and extends to July 13. Applications will be available at Central Fire Station at 1222 South Michigan St. To apply, applicants must be 21 by the time they would be sworn in to the department. 1400 COUNTY-CITY BUILDING•227 W.IEFFERSON BOULEVARD•SOUTH BEND,INDIANA 46601 PHONE 574/235-9261• FAx 574/235-9892 SpU TH 8F � G z s 1865 CITY OF SOUTH BEND PETE BUTTIGIEG, MAYOR OFFICE OF THE MAYOR The requirements to apply include a high school diploma or GED and a current valid driver's license. There will be preference points for individuals that reside within City limits. 1400 COUNTY-CITY BUILDING•227 W.JEFFERSON BOULEVARD•SOUTH BEND,INDIANA 46601 PHONE 574/235-9261• FAx 574/235-9892