Texas department looks to hire 77 for next year

By David Burge
The El Paso Times

EL PASO, Texas — The El Paso Fire Department is looking to hire 77 firefighters in the next year.

It will start taking applications for its 84th Training Academy Class today, but it hasn't been determined how big that class will be yet, said fire spokesman George De La Torre.

Twenty of the firefighters who will be hired in the next year will be paid for with a federal SAFER grant, De La Torre said. One of the terms of the grant is for the department to actively recruit veterans, De La Torre said.

However, the job posting is not for veterans exclusively; anyone can apply.

Applicants can fill out an application online at the city's website at elpasotexas.gov, starting at 7 a.m today. Click on "City Jobs" under the "How Do I?" header, and then click on "Firefighter Trainee" to apply.

Veterans can apply at a special Workforce Solutions Upper Rio Grande job fair from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at the agency's Downtown location, 300 E. Main. The fair will feature members of the fire department's human resources team, which will help veterans apply online and answer questions.

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