PHOTO: Courtesy of WLUK
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – After seeing success with a grant program to help educate future firefighters and EMS personnel, the Oshkosh Fire Department is looking for its next class of recruits. They’ve opened up the application process for the next round of funding.
Like many industries, the Oshkosh Fire Department is having a hard time filling job openings. With upcoming retirements and additional staffing needs, the department is looking at possibly having a dozen positions to fill next year.
According to Oshkosh Fire Chief Mike Stanley, “We don’t have as much supply as we have demand and there’s just not enough applicants to meet the demands of the hiring needs for the fire departments and EMS agencies locally, regionally and nationally.”
Hoping to attract local talent, Oshkosh Fire teamed up with Fox Valley Technical College, Firefighters ABCs and an anonymous donor to offer grant money to individuals studying fire and EMS.
In the first year, last year, thirteen $1000 grants were handed out to applicants going through the tech school program. Oshkosh Fire is offering similar opportunities this year.
The idea is the grant money will help to remove some financial obstacles, for those who want to work in fire and EMS services, to start their education.
“We want to attract young adults and even children in our community, let know that this is an attainable job for them. Where they can get a good salary, have meaningful work and stay in the Oshkosh community,” said Stanley.
One of last year’s grant recipients, who was close to the end of her schooling, has since secured a job with the Oshkosh Fire Department.
Other recipients are still in school, but are also making a difference.
Chief Stanley said, “One of the things that was really refreshing as we looked back on the recipients from last year many of them are still pretty early on, just starting out, but many of them are volunteering with the departments where they live or have found a place to work as an EMT part time as they go to school.”
While the grant program is being administered through the Oshkosh Fire Department, not all recipients will end up in Oshkosh. The chief hoping the idea will inspire other communities to follow suit.
He added, “They may not all end up in Oshkosh, we fully accept that, but the more qualified candidates we can put in the hiring pool the better it is for all of us.”
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