The San Diego Fire Department is looking for new recruits. But landing a spot this year will be a lot more competitive than in the past. KPBS reporter Katie Orr has details.
The Fire Department is looking to fill positions anticipated to open up as firefighters retire or transfer to other agencies. Spokesman Maurice Luque says the department usually operates two fire academies a year. But budget constraints have changed things this time.
Luque: The second academy that we were gonna have this year was cancelled. So we’re only going to have one in the fall. And that will have 30 to 35 recruits going through that academy.
Luque says there are typically three to five thousand applicants for the academy spots. And he says not everyone who makes it through the training is offered a job with the San Diego department. But graduates are eligible for positions with other California fire agencies.
Katie Orr, KPBS News.
