Gripping the rungs with both hands, Brent Gromer heaved the metal ladder up and began pushing it to stand against a wall. Dropping it back to the floor, the firefighter-hopeful quickly prepared to slam a hammer at a 160-pound steel beam.
Last month, the Charlottesville Fire Department began the process of hiring firefighters for seven open positions. Gromer is just one of 85 candidates who hope to secure one of those slots and become career firefighters, but getting into the department is no small feat.
Close to 300 candidates picked up paperwork, including a detailed personal history questionnaire, to begin the extensive process of applying, according to Deputy Chief Emily Pelliccia. Of those who initially expressed interest in the job, 118 showed up for the second step of the process — a two-hour written exam composed mostly of logic, reading comprehension and problem-solving questions, she said.