Hoping to increase the pool of qualified candidates, the Kenosha Fire Department is shifting its hiring practice for new firefighters.
The department this week posted its new requirements for applicants, the shift eliminating the requirement that candidates have firefighting training to apply.
Kenosha Fire Chief Charles Leipzig said the change will open the door to more applicants. Candidates with existing firefighting and EMT qualifications or fire science associate's degrees will still have a leg up on other candidates.
The new qualifications were approved by the Kenosha Police and Fire Commission last month.
Under the new guidelines, to apply for the department a candidate must be at least 18 and a high school graduate, a valid driver’s license and no disqualifying criminal record.