Now hiring: West Memphis Fire Dept.

Now hiring: West Memphis Fire Dept.

City on the hunt for firefighter, paramedic candidates

news@theeveningtimes.com

The West Memphis Fire Commission heard Chief Wayne Gately give a staffing status, Tuesday, June 14. The department will conduct some promotion tests in September.

Two recently hired Firefighter/ EMT’s are receiving paramedic training. Commissioners heard that the department remained in hiring mode and is accepting applications through August 15. Part of the pre-employment screening consists of a nationally standardized physical agility test. Following the close of applications candidates will be put to that test in September.

“We hired two early last month,” said Gately. “We hired a boy in paramedic school with another one of our guys. He’s a top paramedic student in the class.

We expect him be a paramedic by the end of month. The other boy works for us already, too, and will fill the other spot as soon as he gets his paramedic license.” Applications were currently being taken according to the chief.

“We have an open enrollment period right now,” said Gately. “We are advertising on the city website and it’s been in the paper some. It will go through August the 15. We haven’t set a date for the next agility test but it will be after Labor Day in September.”

Chairman Tracy Catt asked about the open position.

“I have one paramedic slot still open,” said Gately.

“Hopefully we’ll get some paramedic applicants.”

By John Rech