Would-Be Firefighters Flock to 2008 Recruitment Fairs
Would-be California firefighters converged on the CPAT firefighter testing centers in Orange and Dublin for the Second annual California Firefighter Recruitment Fairs, presented by the California Fire Fighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee (CFFJAC). Sponsored by the CFFJAC’s Commission to Recruit Women for the Fire Service, the one-day job fairs gave candidates an “up close and personal” look at what it takes to be a first responder … a rewarding, but demanding profession. Two recruitment fairs were held -- April 12th in Orange, and April 19th in Dublin.
Though open to all, the fairs' programs and services targeted women looking to join the fire service. Nationally, it’s estimated that fewer than 3% of front line firefighters are women – in California, women account for about 5% of the total … most of those concentrated in a few large departments. Much of the decline in the number of female firefighters can be traced to a lack of recruitment efforts following the abandonment of affirmative action programs in 1996.
“We want to teach women that they can do this,” said Davis Fire Captain Judy Cutaia, a member of the Commission to Recruit Women for the Fire Service. “If they have the drive, determination and believe in themselves, nothing should stand in their way.”
For candidates, the highlight was the presence of management and human resource personnel from more than 20 fire departments throughout the area to recruit qualified applicants. Recruiters from up and down the state were on hand to help candidates get started. Prospects also had the opportunity to try their hand at the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), the test that proves you’re “fit for duty.”
In addition to direct recruitment and hands-on demonstrations, the fair featured several working firefighters … most of them women … who spoke to the challenges and rewards of the job.
California Professional Firefighters is co-sponsor of the CFFJAC, along with the Office of the State Fire Marshal. CPF President Lou Paulson said the fairs are part of a broader effort to insure that there is a broad pool of qualified applicants for our profession.
“It's all about building the next generation of firefighters,” said Paulson. “As someone who's spent over 20 years as a firefighter, I can tell you anyone with the skill, energy and commitment to serve can find a home in the California fire service.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE CFFJAC, THE WOMEN’S COMMISSION AND THE CANDIDATE PHYSICAL ABILITY TEST, PLEASE VISIT THE CALIFORNIA FIRE FIGHTER JOINT APPRENTICESHIP COMMITTEE WEB SITE – WWW.CFFJAC.ORG
