FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                     June 24, 2005

MORE THAN 4,000 APPLY FOR  FIRE FIGHTER JOBS

 The City received 4,090 job applications for fire fighter recruits last week. It was the first time in more than three years that the City opened up the application process for fire fighter recruits and the very first time that all applications for that job were required to be made online. The application website drew 14,000 hits.  The applicants included 336 women.

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.  While turnout this time was lower, Human Resources Director Ken Nakamatsu noted that the application period was only half as long, from June 12 through 16, because a change in state laws allowed for the shorter duration. He added, “The economy has really improved since 2002 and Hawaii’s unemployment rate is a record low levels.”

Also for the first time this year, former Hawaii residents, such as recent graduates of out-of-state colleges, were eligible to apply.

The biggest change was the shift to handling all applications online. In other words, no paper applications were accepted.

About 50 applicants made use of the Online Application Center the department set up at the City Hall annex for prospective applicants who didn’t have access to private computers.

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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Contact:

Ken Nakamatsu, director of Human Resources, 523-4809