By Gail Franklin
Buffalo News (New York)
Copyright 2007 The Buffalo News
All Rights Reserved
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — More than 100 people are interested in becoming city firefighters and have signed up to attend the Niagara Falls Fire Department's new test-preparation series that began Monday.
In fact, preregistration was so overwhelming that the first class was moved to a larger location to avoid violating the city's fire safety code.
"We've got a lot of young people in the city who feel disenfranchised and feel there aren't any jobs in the city," said Fire Chief William D. MacKay. "We're going to do the best we can to prepare them."
The free six-class session is meant to help possible candidates for the civil service exam for firefighters that will be given June 2. The test was last offered four years ago, and those who pass it are added to a list of names the department uses when hiring new employees.
MacKay said the free preparation classes are open to all, although he is hoping that minorities and women will take advantage of the opportunity.
"The current makeup of the Fire Department does not meet the makeup of the demographics of the city, and we want to do what we can to correct that," MacKay said Monday afternoon, while preparing for Monday's introduction class. "My hope is that . . . is that in 10 years, we'll see a Fire Department that is more representative of the city."
The city's Fire Department has one woman and two minorities in its ranks, according to an Equal Employment Opportunity report filed in 2005. The department is fully staffed with 79 firefighters, although five openings could be available later this year.
The Niagara Falls Human Rights Commission wants to address the lower number of minorities in city jobs, especially in the Fire and Police departments.
Commission Chairman Richard Williams Sr. said that when he approached the fire chief several months ago, the department was already planning the preparation classes. Williams hopes they can help anyone who has felt left out of the process of applying for a city job.
"In the past, people thought, 'There's no sense in taking the test because if you're not Italian-American or white, you're not going to get on the force,' " Williams said. "We're trying to change that mentality."
Joseph Pedulla, president of Local 714, Niagara Falls Uniformed Firefighters, said test preparation was not being offered when he joined the ranks 14 years ago. Although he easily passed the written test, he said, he would have liked to have known about the intense physical requirements earlier.
MacKay pointed out that the classes do not guarantee anyone employment and are not required to take the test, although he is urging those interested in a firefighter job to attend all classes.
The sessions will cover the types of math and reading questions asked on civil service exams; how to look for and apply for job openings; and facts about physical fitness evaluation. The city Human Resources Department will also discuss a waiver program for the $30 test fee offered by the city.
"Ultimately it's their responsibility whether they succeed or not," MacKay said. "We're going to introduce them to some things that will increase their ability to succeed."
