January 4, 2012: The Omaha Fire Department received a record number of applications for this year’s firefighting class. 2079 candidates applied for the open positions, up from 1,433 applicants in 2008, the last time the position was posted. Applications were accepted from November 18, 2011 through December 19, 2011.
Of the 2,079 applicants, 1,854 were accepted to test for the position, up from 1281 in 2008. Testing will begin with a multiple choice examination this week.
In addition to the overall spike in applications, the City also saw a 30 percent increase in minority candidates. This year’s applicant pool features 207 African-Americans, as compared to 111 in 2008, and 117 Latino applicants, more than doubling 2008’s total of 56.
“Our recruitment team worked hard to develop a recruitment strategy that would reach people from all backgrounds,” said City Human Resources Director Dick O’Gara. “Advertisements included radio, television, billboards, bus benches, periodicals, internet and flyers, as well as meeting with local businesses, schools and universities to spread the word.”
“Our firefighters are on the front line to serve the citizens of Omaha,” said Omaha Fire Chief Mike McDonnell. “I am thrilled to have such a large candidate pool that reflects the demographics and values of our community.”
Happy to see such a large, diverse group of applicants for this year’s firefighter class. bit.ly/ymZ73I
— Mayor Jim Suttle (@jimsuttle) January 4, 2012
