A $2.6 million federal grant awarded to the North Little Rock Fire Department will provide up to 24 positions within the department, a city spokesman said Friday.
Potential firefighters can apply for positions within the North Little Rock Fire Department from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at McCain Mall in North Little Rock. A mobile workforce vehicle and two firetrucks are scheduled to be at the shopping center to accept applications.
The $2,632,824 Federal Emergency Management Agency Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant is listed as part of the North Little Rock City Council agenda for the council's meeting at 6 p.m. Monday. Aldermen are to consider a resolution to accept the grant, though the application process will begin today.
"We want to build up our application base, so we're starting the process as quickly as possible," said city Communications Director Nathan Hamilton.
Applicants must meet department qualifications, pass a written test and physical agility tests and complete a "structured interview," Hamilton said.
The grant is for two years, or three years for any veteran hired, and allows a maximum of 24 firefighters hired. The department has 148 uniformed employees and three non-uniformed employees. The new hires will push the staffing to 175 full-time workers. The number of firefighters will increase from 57 to 81 if all 24 new spots are filled.
"We're slightly understaffed right now," Hamilton said.
Because the grant's funds are only for two years, the city will try to fill some spots by attrition when the grant expires, Hamilton said.
"Everyone will know upfront that it is a grant-funded position," he said.
Metro on 07/25/2015