A federal grant for 24 new firefighters at the North Little Rock Fire Department has attracted 83 applicants thus far, Mayor Joe Smith said during Monday's North Little Rock City Council meeting.
City aldermen approved legislation at the meeting accepting the $2.63 million Federal Emergency Management Agency Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant and also separate legislation to raise the uniformed and nonuniformed employee quota for the Fire Department from 148 positions to 172.
Both votes were 6-0. Aldermen Charlie Hight and Murry Witcher were absent.
"In today's economic environment, it's especially tough to get grants," Fire Chief Jim Murphy told aldermen. "This will make our community safer."
The grant is for two years, or three years for any veteran hired, and allows a maximum of 24 firefighters to be hired. The number of firefighters will increase from 57 to 81 if all 24 spots are filled.
The Fire Department kicked off the application process on Saturday with a mobile workforce at a shopping center, attracting 31 applicants, Human Resources Director Betty Anderson said. The number had risen to 83 by Monday's evening meeting, Smith said. Applications close at the end of business hours Friday.
Applicants must meet department qualifications and pass a written test, physical agility tests and an interview process.
"My only concern is what happens in two or three years from now when the funding ends," Smith said. "They'll all know on the front end that it's for two years. But they will get training and work for two or three years if hired. If we lose four, five or six to retirement or other reasons, we'll have someone already there [to fill positions]."
Metro on 07/28/2015