Fire Department reaching out to poorer neighborhoods

William Kaempffer , Register Staff

12/11/2003

NEW HAVEN — The Fire Department is trying to step up recruitment in poorer neighborhoods and has enlisted the help of the city’s federal empowerment zone.

This week, the city began accepting applications for the entry-level job of firefighters and is hoping to hire at least 13 people in a class beginning next summer, according to Assistant Fire Chief Ron Dumas.

A starting firefighter makes $29,758, a salary that grows to $54,870 at the end of three years.

While applications are available to anyone, Dumas said the department was reaching out specifically to residents of some of the city’s less affluent neighborhoods.

"Basically, we wanted to give those who didn’t have the financial means the opportunity to participate in the process," said Dumas.

Empower New Haven, which administers millions in federal grant funds, has offered to pay application and other fees for eligible residents of the empowerment zone neighborhoods.

For months, the non-profit also has been advertising the recruitment in some less conventional venues.

Empower New Haven paid for some placards on Connecticut Transit buses, paid for some radio spots on a local station and has sent out a string of e-mail to residents announcing the recruitment drive.

"We put out fliers to churches, stores, libraries," Dumas said. "We just wanted to get the word out there. We felt that the traditional media really didn’t reach the folks we were trying to reach."

Currently, there are six open firefighter positions and the department anticipates seven more after promotions are made.

In addition, retirements in the coming months could open a dozen more in the coming months.

The department has roughly 350 members and last graduated a class from its academy in November 2002.

The application fee is $35 and there’s another charge to take the physical agility test if a candidate gets that far, for a total cost of $100.

Still, the fees could be a hardship for someone on a limited income, said Tom Ficklin, the marketing director for Empower New Haven.

"Economic barriers, although they may appear to be small, are sometimes an impediment," he said. "We’re just trying to be out here and be responsive. Part of our mission is to eliminate barriers."

Applicants take a civil service test and those who pass are put on a hiring list, which remains active for two years.

Positions in the fire service tend to be some of the most difficult to come by and political driven.

Applications must be returned to the city’s human resource department, 200 Orange St., before 5 p.m. on Dec. 19.

They are available at all of the city’s 10 firehouses.

William Kaempffer can be reached at 789-5727 or wkaempffer@nhregister.com.