LFD seeking applicants
The Lexington Fire Department (LFD) is experiencing a new phenomenon: a shortage of candidates. A problem, not unique to Lexington, recruiting and hiring first responders has been a challenge across the country within the past year according to LFD Battalion Chief Waylon Turbeville.
“The decline is overall a fire service problem. Years past, we’d have anywhere from 50 to 60 applicants. Now, we’re doing good to get 25. I know the pandemic has hit the public safety industry hard and affected recruiting.”
Turbeville, who has been an LFD firefighter for 15 years, got his start as a junior firefighter in a volunteer fire department 19 years ago. In his almost 20 years of service, he’s also witnessed other factors contribute to the decreasing applicant pool in Lexington. They include starting pay and raises, increased competition with other organizations, schedule and work-life balance.
Despite these issues, Turbeville has seen efforts being made to make LFD more competitive.
“The fire service is ever changing and organizations have to get creative in recruiting. The city of Lexington has raised the starting pay and has great benefits. We also have a modified 24/48 work schedule that allows us to have a four day break every three weeks. Basically, you work 10 days a month. Our benefits are top-notch. We have a 30-year local government retirement plan and full affordable insurance [the city is self-insured]. We have access to Teledoc, Prudential 401K, Employee Assistance Program for you and your family. The city offers tuition reimbursement that allows employees to take advantage of furthering their education. You must complete the course with a C or better, submit your grades and proof of the course completion then you will be reimbursed by the city. You take that money and apply it towards your next class. The city of Lexington invests in its employees and truly encourages furthering your education.”
To shine the spotlight on a career as a firefighter, LFD has created local partnerships that allow them the opportunity to share information about what the job entails. Partners include Goodwill Career Connections, Livingstone College, Lexington Senior High School (LSHS) and Thomasville High School (THS).
“Goodwill helps market and attract potential applicants. They’ve set up onsite meetings where LFD would attend to answer questions or just interact with others possibly interested in a career as a firefighter. They’re a great resource and will help you any way they can to prepare for a career or new job. Livingstone College, THS and LSHS have career counselors. I’ve contacted some of them via Zoom, telephone, email and social media. I gave them a brief overview of LFD. Their goal is to help their students land a career not just a job. I communicate with them and share information about recruiting and they help me spread the word. This is a win-win for everyone.”
A portion of spreading the word involves transparency about the job and its requirements. Currently, applicants must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED. Annually, LFD firefighters must receive 226 hours of training to maintain their certification.
Before advancing to that step, a written test with basic knowledge, comprehension and problem-solving skills questions must be passed. Additionally, recruits are required to take an agility test. The timed test consists of:
A 75ft. aerial climb
Three-story stair climb with a high-rise pack
14ft. ground ladder setup
100 ft. dry hose drag
Kiser machine with eight-pound sledgehammer
185-pound mannequin drag
45-pound tire drag
A blind 100ft. hose crawl through a tunnel
All these stations will be completed wearing turnout coat, trouser, boots, helmet and gloves, which adds approximately 30 pounds of weight.
For anyone who passes all phases, the rewards on the other end are incalculable Turbeville assured. He noted you won’t get rich, financially. However, “what you do and the difference you make is priceless.”
As LFD, which is heavy rescue certified and maintains a class 2 ISO rating, continues to build upon its relationships in the community, Turbeville had some important thoughts he wanted readers to know about the department.
“LFD has a great group of talented individuals who would sacrifice their lives for people they do not know. We’re truly public servants. We show up, help people on their worst days and strive to make a difference in our community daily. At LFD, we put people first.”
