CORPUS CHRISTI — Sound the alarm: It's recruiting time for the Corpus Christi Fire Department.

The fire department started its annual recruiting drive Aug. 11 and will continue to take firefighter applications through Sept. 30, assistant fire chief Rick Treviño said.

Fire Chief Richard Hooks said Corpus Christi typically hires 20 to 30 firefighters each year. About 600 showed up to take the test to become a firefighter last year.

"It's very competitive," Hooks said.

Treviño said the city has 412 firefighters after hiring 20 this year and 30 last year. He anticipates another 1,000 will apply this time. To become a firefighter, individuals have to pass a written test, a physical fitness test and a successful background check, which includes a psychological test and an interview process, he said.

Treviño said the physical fitness test will take place on the Corpus Christi Bayfront the same weekend as the written test, which will be at 8 a.m. Oct. 24 at the American Bank Center.

Individuals must show they have at least a 16-inch vertical jump, can do at least 25 push-ups, can run 300 meters in 65 seconds, do at least 29 sit-ups in one minute and run 1 1/2 miles in 14 minutes and 43 seconds to pass.

Treviño said firefighters have to pass the tests before they can be hired and start cadet training at the Training Academy at Del Mar College's West Campus. He said new hires have to wait about a year before they can go out on calls with other firefighters because they have to go through 600 hours of instruction and an additional 1,400 hours of medical training, which certifies them as paramedics and firefighters.

Male and female firefighters must be at least 19 years old with a maximum age of 35 when they are accepted to start training. A high school diploma or GED is required and the first-year salary is between $39,000 and $41,000.

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