The Chula Vista Fire Department has announced that it will hire 15 new fire recruits in time for a 16-week long fire academy.
The decision to hire additional fire personnel comes after the Chula Vista City Council adopted a new budget in June with monies dedicated to public safety.
Of the 15 new hires, 12 will be funded by a $3 million Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant, with an additional three others hired with the department’s $27 million budget because they are being hired to replace potential retirees and departmental promotions, said Battalion Chief Rich Brocchini.
Brocchini said adding 15 more people to its department is “pretty significant” as it would make up about 11 percent of the 130 personnel in the department.
The new hires mean that each fire engine will be staffed with an additional person, an issue the Chula Vista firefighters’ union has been fighting the city for several years.
“We currently operate with three personnel on an engine and now this is going to give us a fourth personnel which obviously will increase the service delivery model for the service that we give to our citizens,” Brocchini said.
Brocchini said only a rescue rig currently has a four person crew but the other engines only have three.
He said the 15 new hires much needed are needed in Chula Vista, especially as the city grows and the plans of two new fire stations on the west side of the city.
The Chula Vista Fire Department responds to more than 20,000 calls annually to a population of 268,000 acres across 52 square miles.
Brocchini said the new recruits would be a helping hand in attending to the community’s needs.
“Adding more personnel will help with the workload, “he said. “The more people you have on the team, the more you can get done. We are going to have one more added body to give service to people in their time of need.”
To be considered for the fire recruit position, applicants must be on the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center Statewide Eligibility List. For more information, visit www.FCTConline. Org.
Fire Academy will start next January at a yet to be determined date with recruits expected to hit the streets next May.
Brocchini said a written exam is scheduled for July 15 with a physical ability test scheduled for July 26. There will also be a psychological evaluation and background check.
Following the completion of the fire academy, fire recruits will serve in the rank of firefighter and firefighter-paramedic.
Recruits going through the academy will be paid. The job for the fire recruit is listed at between $3,884.42 and $4,078.64 monthly.
