4/2/14 - The Hartland-Deerfield Fire Authority has put out the call for applicants who want to become paid on-call firefighters. The department is seeking firefighters to help staff its Deerfield Township and Parshallville stations. Although the job is technically part-time, applicants walking in off the street will have to go through about a year of training before being considered a full firefighter. During that time they will get qualifications for other jobs, allowing them to work around the station while they finalize their firefighting and medical training. Applicants should have a high school diploma or GED, be able to perform demanding physical tasks, and be close enough and available enough to respond quickly to calls for service. Chief Adam Carroll says many fire departments have had difficulty attracting applicants. He attributes this to the growing demands of family life and the slowly-increasing commitment needed to serve at an active fire station. In addition to responding to emergency calls, firefighters will have to participate in continuous training activities and maintenance of the vehicles, equipment, and fire station. Carroll says the firefighter training program at Howell High School will mostly benefit the Howell Area Fire Department, but if the program opens up county-wide it could provide a boon to other departments as well. (TD)
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