FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    June 1, 2005

CITY OPENS FIRE FIGHTER RECRUITMENT

 For the first time in more than three years, the City will be accepting job applications for fire fighter recruits. To accommodate the thousands who are expected to apply, all applications will be required to be done online, from Sunday June 12 through Thursday, June 16.
           

The last time the City Department of Human Resources opened applications for fire fighter recruits, 5,096 people applied over a 10-day period in January 2002.  One hundred seventy-nine of the applications were rejected. Of the 4,917 who made the cut, 3,401 took the written exam for the job. Fewer than half of them – 1,427 – passed the exam. Only about 120 of those who passed the test joined the Honolulu Fire Department over the following three years.

This time, department officials expect 6,000 or more applicants. Changes in laws and regulations  allow for a shorter application window of five days this time. In addition, former Hawaii residents, such as recent graduates of out-of-state colleges, will be eligible to apply.

The biggest change is the shift to handling all applications online. In other words, no paper applications will be accepted. Applications can be done through the following websites, only from 12 a.m.  June 12 through 11:59 p.m. June 16: www.governmentjobs.com or www.honolulu.gov/hr (click on “Jobs”).

For applicants without access to a private computer or who need help filing on-line, the Department of Human Resources will operate an Online Application Center with 23 computers and staff help from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 12, and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., June 13 through 16. Free public internet access is also available at 11 City parks, the seven Oahu WorkLinks (formerly Work Hawaii) offices, state libraries and University of Hawaii public computer labs.

Information regarding the recruitment will be advertised on June 12 in the Honolulu newspapers. In addition, informational brochures – but not job applications -- will also be available at all 42 Honolulu fire stations.

 The information on the flyer can also be found at the Department of Human Resources website.  All questions regarding the application process should be directed to the Department of Human Resources at 523-4301 or 527-5770.

The job of fire fighter recruit pays $2,803 a month. Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent and a valid Hawaii state driver’s license, type 3, prior to appointment. 

Applicants must take a written test on September 10, 2005, in Honolulu. They will be notified by mail approximately seven days before the test. Those who pass the written test will be scheduled to take a video test, in which applicants watch a videotape, then answer multiple-choice questions related to teamwork and human relations skills specifically for fire fighters. Those who pass the video test will be scheduled to take a physical ability test.

Persons who are accepted as recruits will undergo 26 to 32 weeks of training before being assigned to a line unit.

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Media contact:  

            Kenneth Nakamatsu, director of Human Resources, 523-4809