The Owensboro Fire Department recently brought on three new probationary firefighters who will begin Monday, but OFD is still looking for two more full-time, entry-level firefighters.
Colter Tate, battalion chief and director of human resources and professional development. said the hiring process will start back up in the next couple of weeks. With OFD currently in the process of upgrading to advanced life support rescue services, Tate said his team is on the lookout for individuals with advanced EMT or paramedic licenses.
While those certifications help applicants advance in the hiring process, they aren’t required, Tate said. Those interested in applying for a full-time firefighter position should have one or more of the following credentials:
- At least two years of active duty military experience
- Associate’s degree in Fire/Rescue Technology
- EMT certification with at least 60 college credit hours
- Three years’ experience as a certified volunteer firefighter with a minimum of 150 certified training hours
- An employee of Owensboro-Daviess County Central Dispatch
- A four-year Bachelor’s degree
- Those under 21 years of age may qualify if they have graduated a Kentucky Community and Technical College system with an Associate’s degree in Fire/Rescue Technology to include certification as a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician
Tate said OFD being short two full-time firefighters was fairly normal.
“We usually bring on six personnel a year due to retirements,” he said.
A mandatory orientation will be held on March 21, and the first mandatory practice will take place April 11. The final CPAT exam for new recruits will take place May 9.
Mandatory written and oral exams are also required in order to be hired as a full-time firefighter at OFD.
More information about the position and job applications can be found on OFD’s website. Those interested must apply by Feb. 28.
