Charlotte Fire opens application process, seeks diversity

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Fire Department is approaching its hiring process a little differently.

In August, after he was named the department's interim chief, Pete Key said among the challenges he hoped to address was a lack of diversity.

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On Saturday, for the first time in recent years, the Charlotte Fire Department held an open house for interested applicants. Current firefighters walked interested applicants through the process.

Officials said they wanted to give recruits every opportunity to succeed.

Apart from the normal procedure, applicants were given the option to practice the cadet physical ability test and ask questions.

For current staff, it was their first opportunity to interact with potential recruits.

"From what I'm sensing here today, that something that needed to be done,"CFD Capt. Jackie Gilmore said.

Multiple applicants said their interest in the career started months, even years before, following an interaction with a firefighter in a department-led program, or in school.

"I actually didn't see any female figures, mentors, anybody that could help me out until I got into Camp Ignite," recruit Jazmin Camacho said.

Camp Ignite is a hands-on resident camp for young women that focuses on teamwork and leadership skills using firefighting techniques.

Recruit Dashaun Rorie explained his interest in the profession started after meeting a Charlotte Fire captain in high school, who encouraged him to join the department's internship program.

"I was the only one from my school to go, and I don't regret it," Rorie said. "I'm not giving up. I look forward to coming back."

At least 175 people attended the open house. The application process runs through Nov. 3.

Cox Media Group