Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., fire departments across the country have seen an increased number of people inquiring about a career in firefighting. Locally, the Madison area fire departments have experienced a slight increase in interest from people in the community.
The Madison Area Technical College’s Fire Academy has received about 30 more calls than usual from people interested in firefighting. However, Andrew Brandl, firefighter and fire code inspector of the Fitchburg fire department, says his department has seen nothing different regarding the number of people interested in becoming firefighters.
“Nothing has changed here in Fitchburg,” Brandl said. “But I know that in other places in the state of Wisconsin, people are looking to volunteer.”
Many fire departments in the Madison area accept applications for volunteers and full-time employees continuously. Although the demand for more Madison firefighters has changed very little, local fire departments are putting forth extra time to help those in New York.
“We are having a fundraiser for the families of the fallen firefighters in New York City, and there’s currently a list of firefighters willing to go out east and help,” Brandl said.
Since the attacks, New York has been swamped with people who want to help and has asked fire departments across the country to stay and work in their own towns.
“We have kept going and keep doing the same things we’ve done since before the tragedy,” Brandl said. “We’ve been asked to stay and take care of our own communities. New York won’t hesitate to call us, and we won’t hesitate to go out there and help.”
Local fire departments employ both paid and volunteer firefighters. Both positions perform the same work and require some training and certification. Every applicant must pass a written test and physical agility test.
The fire departments also run background tests on all applicants.
“People interested in becoming a firefighter should have a clean driving history and preferably are mechanically inclined,” Brandl said.
According to the Madison Fire Department, firefighters should be in good physical, mental and emotional health, have a motivation to serve and strong problem solving skills. They should also have the ability to work with a team, exercise strong judgment and have good communication skills. Past experience is not necessary, but everyone must be certified through either the fire department’s classes or the MATC Fire Academy.
“Certification usually takes one semester, and all classes are taught by firefighters,” said Dawn Way, administration assistant at MATC. “The programs are hands-on and certify students as level two state firefighters.”
