Norwalk Seeks To Diversify Candidate Pool For Firefighters

NORWALK, CT — In an effort to "increase the diversity of the candidate pool of potential hires," the city's fire department has joined the State of Connecticut Firefighter Testing Consortium, one of 15 communities throughout the state.

For years, Norwalk and the other communities in the group have held their own entry-level firefighter exams, which could cost the city upwards of $150,000 to administer. Potential recruits would have to pay $125 per community to take the exam, which obviously could become cost prohibitive if a person wanted to take exams in more than one community.

Through the State Consortium, someone will be able to take just one test with the results shared to the 15 municipalities which are spread across the state.

"Running our firefighter test has been successful in the past, but the State Consortium offers us a no-cost opportunity to increase the applicant pool for the Department," said Norwalk Fire Chief Gino Gatto during a press conference Tuesday with Mayor Harry Rillings and other fire and community officials.

He added that the city also hopes to expand opportunities for local residents. “This is a great opportunity not only for our Department, but for residents who are looking to begin a career as a firefighter in Connecticut.”

The application is now online at iosolutions.com and will remain open until Feb. 12, 2020.

"I see this as a real win-win," said Mayor Rilling, who is also a Norwalk Fire Commissioner. "Our Fire Department will be given a larger list of potential entry-level firefighters from which to choose, and our residents will be able to take just one test, and be seen by more than a dozen departments for a single low-fee. This is great news."

From the city's announcement:

Career Fire Chiefs developed the Statewide Testing Consortium to increase the diversity of the
candidate pool, provide candidates with job opportunities in a wide range of urban, suburban, and rural fire departments, eliminate duplication of effort and expense for candidates, and remove the
administrative burden and local budget expense for testing. This is the first time Norwalk has
participated in the Consortium.

To learn more, or to apply, visit iosolutions.com/fire-job-applications-2 and click on the Connecticut Firefighter Testing Consortium Application.