Marion County Fire Rescue and the Marion County Board of County Commissioners are reigniting the Fire and EMT Academy, last offered a decade ago, to fill 22 firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician positions.
In collaboration with CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion, Marion Technical College and the Florida State Fire College, the program includes 22-weeks of paid training and guaranteed employment with MCFR upon certification. It is geared primarily for those with roots in Marion County but is open to Citrus and Levy counties as well.
A recruiting event will take place Thursday, July 14 from 9 a.m. to noon at the College of Central Florida’s Klein Conference Center, 3001 SW College Road, in Ocala. Informational sessions will be held every 30 minutes.
MCFR Deputy Chief James Banta, who is leading the program, said that by earning a paycheck while completing requirements, the program affords those interested in first-responder careers the opportunity to “follow their dream.”
Banta said the department experienced a high retention rate with its original graduates, adding that the academy results in “well-trained future firefighters who see Marion County and our surrounding communities as their home and want to give back to their fellow citizens.”
In addition to Florida Firefighter 1 and 2 and EMT certifications, training includes the Emergency Vehicle Operators Course (EVOC) and Paramedic certification (required within five years). All costs of training are covered.
Preference is given to residents of Marion County as well as those living in Citrus and Levy counties. Eligible trainees must:
Complete eligibility and program details can be found at http://www.marioncountyfl.org/departments-agencies/departments-a-n/fire-rescue/mcfr-recruiting.
Information about the July 14 recruiting event and application process can be found on CareerSource CLM’s calendar of events or by calling 800-434-5627, ext. 1101.
Marion County Fire Rescue is a department of the Marion County Board of County Commissioners and is the second largest fire rescue department north of Orlando with more than 500 employees and volunteers housed in 31 fire stations. The department's full-time state certified firefighter/paramedics, firefighter/EMTs, EMTs and paramedics serve more than 300,000 citizens, cover 1,600 square miles (which is larger than the state of Rhode Island) and respond to an average of 210 emergencies a day. Visit www.MarionCountyFL.org/FireRescue or call 352-291-8000 for more information.
CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion is the local, business-led nonprofit connecting employers with qualified, skilled talent and job seekers with employment and career development opportunities. On average, CareerSource CLM provides fee-free services to more than 3,600 businesses and nearly 40,000 job seekers. More information about CareerSource CLM can be found at careersourceclm.com and on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.
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