A few years back, there were hundreds of people applying to be a Springfield firefighter — but that’s dropped off dramatically.
“Our last test — we only had 27 applicants,” said Capt. Brian Leciejewski of the Springfield Fire/Rescue Division.
To get more people in the door, the division is eliminating a preliminary requirement for applicants. People will no longer have to be at a paramedic status before they can apply.
Leciewjewski said in the past the problem has been with how long it takes to complete the paramedic program.
“With the prerequisites as well as the paramedic program, that’s about an 18-month process,” he said. Leciejewski said instead, those hired at the division will go through 10 weeks of firefighter training. They’ll be able to go on fire calls, but they won’t be certified as an EMT or a paramedic.