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STEUBENVILLE -- City officials are hoping for a big turnout for the firefighters civil service exam April 28 at Eastern Gateway Community College's Founder's Hall.
The written portion of the test begins at 6 p.m. Those who pass it will advance to the physical agility portion of the test, to be held two days later at Harding Stadium practice field beginning at noon. After that, they'll have to pass a background check, physical and psychological examination to be considered for jobs with Steubenville Fire Department/EMS.
"Because we have some retirements coming up, we want to get a list in place that has people with fire certifications on it and EMS certifications," Fire Chief Carlo Capaldi said. "The more people on our list that have certifications, then we don't have to send them to training after we hire them ... without fire or EMS certification, we're basically paying for them to be here until training is finished. So, if they have a certification, it helps us out money-wise, and it doesn't take as long for us to get up to speed."
Currently, SFD's ambulance service is running two ambulances when manpower permits. Capaldi said the revenues they've generated have covered the cost of the six firefighters they've hired. By mid-summer, he figures he'll be in a position to justify asking council for permission to hire three more firefighter/EMTs -- giving him the personnel he needs to run two ambulances 24/7.
Capaldi said the civil service lists have a shelf life and the one they've been using expires at the beginning of June.
"(Tests) are good for two years," he said.
"The current test is up at the beginning of June. We've hired 12 people off that list, so we're getting pretty thin off it, and we do have some retirements coming up."
Candidates must be at least 20 to take the test, a high school graduate or have a G.E.D., as well as a valid driver's license. Applicants who score a passing grade on the test (70 percent or better) and are honorably discharged military veterans, have firefighter, paramedic, or EMT certifications or have a two- or four-year degree score bonus points.
Starting salary after probation is around $48,000, plus a yearly stipend for EMS, paramedic and EMT certifications.