How to Become a Firefighter in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Unprecendented layoffs and fiscal uncertainty gave Grand Rapids, Mich. firefighters much to cope with in 2009. Armed with 97 firefighters and 204 total fire personnel, the department's goals include "saving lives and minimizing property damage through fire suppression" and "providing pre-hospital emergency medical service." The GRFD investigates fires, engages in public education, fire code enforcement and rescue services, and is prepared to counteract terrorist incidents and deal with weapons of mass destruction. Recruits must undergo stringent training to become a GRFD firefighter.
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Instructions
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Take a civil service test for the GRFD. There are five regional testing sites throughout Michigan: Detroit, Ironwood, Lansing, Marquette and Sault Saint Marie. The examination schedule is found on the Michigan Civil Service Commission website. You must be at least 18 years old and a high school graduate to be a firefighter candidate.
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Complete the 10-minute, timed physical agility test if your civil service exam qualifies you to move on to this level. This test must be passed to move to the interview. The test is administered by the GRFD.
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Prepare for an oral interview with the GRFD, physical entrance exam and background checks. Pass these requirements and you likely will be offered employment with the GRFD with full benefits and a starting salary of $36,604.
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Attend the restored GRFD Fire Academy for full-time training. You won't be assigned your first 24-hour shift until the 40-hour-per-week, 16-week academy requirements are completed. You must complete this step even if you have completed Firefighter I and II training.
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Tips & Warnings
The Federal Emergency Management Agency's Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Program, part of the Obama administration's federal stimulus package, was to award $210 million nationwide to hire and rehire firefighters. The GRFD grant request was $2.9 million-plus to fund costs for 17 firefighters for two years.
The Grand Rapids Fire Department has served its community since 1850. There are 11 fire stations in the Grand Rapids response districts as well as one fire training center.
The GRFD only accepts applications if there are vacancies.
Budget constraints forced the GRFD to lay off 22 firefighters in December 2009. The 2010 operating budget had been reduced by $1.3 million, and the total authorized strength of the department declined from 230 personnel to 204.
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- Photo Credit firefighter and flames 2 image by Tino Hemmann from Fotolia.com
