BUFFALO, NY-- Mayor Byron Brown and new Fire Commissioner Vincent Muscarella kicked off the City of Buffalo's most recent recruitment campaign for the Buffalo Fire Department.
The 2018 Buffalo Firefighter Exam is now open to new applicants, following this year's recruitment theme of "Move Up the Ladder. Start a Career in the Buffalo Fire Department."
The exam-- which is only offered every 4-5 years, will take place on Tuesday, May 1st. The deadline to submit an exam application is Monday, April 9th.
In 2013, the last time Buffalo Fire administered the exam, 2,500 people took the exam, with 249 recruits being hired.
"In my rookie class, there was all kinds of diversity," said Muscarella. "We had people from all walks of life, different educational levels, different incomes, different neighborhoods, but by the end of the academy, we were one. We were all Buffalo firefighters, and that's what this is about, becoming Buffalo firefighters. It's hard work, but its extremely rewarding."
Base pay for Buffalo Firefighters starts $35,000 per year, ranging as high as $68,461 annually.
To be eligible for the exam, candidates must:
-Be 19 years old as of Tuesday, May 1, 2018 (exam date), and be at least 29 years old at the time of the appointment
-Be a full-time resident of the City of Buffalo for a minimum of 90 days prior to 4/9/2018 (the exam application deadline), and continue city residency until the time of appointment
-Be a U.S. Citizen;
-Have earned a high school diploma or GED;
-Be willing and able to perform physically demanding work, and able to manage stress and adverse outcomes well.
A $25 exam fee is required to be paid at the time of application.
As for whether or not you have what it takes, Muscarella said anyone looking to get into physical shape for the exam should be able to run two miles each day, sustain a healthy diet and be able to perform a healthy number of push-ups and sit-ups.
More information can be found at https://www.city-buffalo.com/Home/City_Departments/Fire_Department