PEORIA HEIGHTS, Ill. – The Peoria Heights Fire Department is looking for a few good men and women.
Chief Dan Decker says applications are now available for full-time firefighter positions within the formerly-volunteer department.
“We are hoping to attract people with some sort-of experience, whether it be volunteer experience, or they’ve been on a department some place else,” Decker said.
Decker says the department is looking for three full-time hires. He says that’s due to firefighters typically being hired in threes, and because of scheduling where a firefighter will have a 24-hour shift, followed by 48 hours off.
Decker says people who have not worked in a fire department before will also be considered, but may have to be trained at a fire academy, if they were hired on.
He says while not necessary, having experienced specialities could help a candidate, such as EMS experience.
“It used to be said that 85% of our calls are EMS and 15% are rescue or fires. Well that’s not really true. 100% of the incidents are EMS, and 15% or so are rescue or fire,” Decker said. “Because even at fires, even at rescues, we have an EMS component.”
The positions start with a salary of $65,000 with full benefits.
Applications are being accepted until July 12th, with the three hires expected to be made in October.
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