COUNTY FIRE TO RECRUIT IN DEC.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

Los Angeles County fire officials are expecting up to 30,000 applications from potential firefighters when the department begins recruiting next month for the first time in seven years.

Applications will be accepted Dec. 2-4, at six locations throughout the county.

``Becoming a Los Angeles County firefighter is the pinnacle in a firefighter's career because of our department's reputation as a world- class emergency services agency,'' said county fire Chief P. Michael Freeman. ``Few fire departments can match the experience that we offer to firefighters seeking a prized career packed with excitement, diversity and purpose.''

Mike McCormick, a spokesman for the department's north county region, said when he took the test seven years ago, he had little idea of how his own career would evolve.

After graduating in 1999, he became a paramedic, then was promoted to engineer.

``If you're motivated, and you want the opportunity, it's there for you,'' he said. ``That's one great thing about the county department. There's so many different aspects of this department. I worked as a boat hand in Marina del Rey. I've gone from the brush to the city's high rises.''

Fire officials are hoping more women will apply and qualify for written tests, to be administered in January.

``When a female firefighter shows up to a scene, they have a very caring, compassionate way with people,'' said department spokeswoman Kristina Hajjar. ``We have very good feedback.''

The last time the department was recruiting, 19,000 applications were submitted.

Hajjar said since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the image of the firefighting profession has been cast in a different light.

``In the past, firefighters have been in the background, as a public service,'' Hajjar said. ``Since Sept. 11, people have realized what firefighters do. When they saw that the firefighters climbed up the stairs of the World Trade Center buildings to help people to safety, that really grabbed at the hearts of people around the world. That moment really changed the view of what firefighters do.''

In addition, Hajjar said the department offers various opportunities to potential recruits.

The 80-year-old department of 4,000 members is one of the largest emergency service agencies in the world, she said, providing fire protection and life safety services to more than 3.8 million residents and commercial business customers in the county's 2,296-square-mile area. The department offers specialized training in urban search and rescue, emergency medical services, hazardous materials, air operations and homeland security.

``We have firefighters deployed around the world,'' Hajjar said.

Though training has evolved after the events of Sept. 11, 2001, basic training remains the same, said county Fire Department Chief Deputy Gary Lockhart. The department began training for terrorism response in 1996.

``There are things that have been included in the curriculum and various changes that have occurred,'' Lockhart said. ``Our focus is basically the fundamentals, though you work to improve methods. Just in EMS alone there's been a lot of change over the years, based on research from medical experts.''

Minimum requirements for the position include a high school diploma or General Educational Development diploma and valid California driver's license, and applicable vision, hearing, weight and height requirements. Candidates must also be U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens who have applied for citizenship and are at least 18 years of age at the time of appointment, with no felony convictions and have good moral character.

Application locations include the department's North and East Regional Training Facilities, Belvedere Community Regional County Park, Athens Park, Whiteman Airport and the San Pedro Skills Center. Applicants are required to apply in person. All applicants will receive written notice of the test date, time and location.

The examination process includes a written test, and for the top candidates, a Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), a background check, medical examination, selection interview and graduation following 16 weeks in the training academy. Candidates may obtain a copy of the examination bulletin and employment application by downloading them from the department's Web site at www.lacofd.org or at any of the county's 159 fire stations or Department of Human Resources at 500 W. Temple St., Room 579, Los Angeles, 90012, or 3333 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1000, Los Angeles.

For information, including application instructions, call the department's Employment Hotline at [phone].

Susan Abram, [phone]

susan.abram(at)dailynews.com