Philadelphia Fire Dept. Pushes New Recruitment Campaign
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia's Fire Commissioner is looking for a few good men and women and they have started an aggressive recruitment campaign to find them.
The on-line application process is open now through early September, on the City of Philadelphia's website, - phila.gov/fire.
Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel says it's a "recruiting blitz" to create lists for upcoming academy classes, to train new firefighting candidates.
"If you're interested in helping people on their worst days -- and having your best day -- there is no more rewarding profession."
He says while it's a competitive process to become a firefighter, medic or EMT, they're looking for folks who have "great character and a good work ethic."
At the entrance to Ladder 2 Firehouse at 4th and Arch Streets, just as Commissioner Thiel was wrapping up, a double-decker open roof tour bus happened by and the folks up top gave him a thumbs up and round of applause, as they stopped at the intersection. He then made his pitch.
"Applications are open, phila.gov/fire...and spend money."
This weekend, there will be an open house at the Fire Academy on Pennypack Street in the northeast, where folks will find out, in the Commissioner's words, "what it takes to join the hottest team in town!"