Miami Student

Issue date: 1/25/08 Section: Community

The Oxford Fire Department is currently searching for 15 new part-time EMTs and firefighters, with hopes to shorten the response time of emergency calls.

After gaining approval from Oxford City Council, the city's fire department is currently in search for part-time employees to assist the Oxford community and expand its department.

"We are eager to have the part-time EMTs implemented," said Len Endress, fire chief for the city of Oxford. "We are hoping to have the EMTs working by late March."

According to Endress, the Oxford Fire Department will be running advertisements to promote and find people to fill the new part-time positions.

Endress said that the fire department would be looking for a pool of around 15 qualified members of the Oxford community who are interested in the position because they care for people and are eager to make a positive difference in the Oxford community. In addition to the 15 part-time employees that will be hired, the department will still continue to accept volunteers.

"This can be a good starting stone for someone who wants to be involved in the fire department," Endress said.

Donna Heck, human resources director of Oxford, said the part-time initiative would be good for maintaining safety in Oxford.

"You would be surprised at the number of calls they get," she said. "You have to remember, they get calls 24 hours a day and it's getting harder to get people to volunteer. Some people don't want to get up out of bed and respond to those things. It's a necessity in order to provide the care that the community needs."

The fire department will be conducting interviews for the positions, according to Endress. Applicants must pass physical examinations as well as an agility tests. According to Endress the agility portion will test the candidate in skills such as lifting a fire hose and setting up ladders.

According to Endress, 80 percent of the United States population is covered by volunteer fire departments such as the Oxford Fire Department.

"Economics play such an important role in city's budgets and volunteers are always very helpful to the community," Endress said.

Lt. John Smith, a volunteer EMT of Oxford for more than 20 years, echoed Endress' thoughts explaining the benefits of a larger staff.

Continued...

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