As the Beloit Fire Department looks to counter staffing cuts and retirements, Beloit's Police and Fire Commission has approved a recruitment plan aimed at bolstering the applicant pool for future firefighters and paramedics.
The plan eliminates the need for college credit for those interested in joining the department, but does not change the requirement potential firefighters earn a Level 1 certification among other qualifications for department staff. The requirements differ from the police department, where 40 college credits at the time of hiring are required. Up to 60 credits are required by the fifth year of any police officer's tenure on staff.
The move looks to not only increase the scope of applicants, but also the diversity of the applicant pool. Currently, the department only has two women and one person of color working, while the remaining staff are white.