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| Hiring & Employment FAQ |
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| Q: What exactly does a firefighter do in the City of Maumelle? A: In short, a little bit of everything. Members of our department are called upon to provide a vast assortment of duties. Emergency duties include, but are certainly not limited to, treating persons who are sick and injured, fighting fires, rescuing persons trapped in automobile accidents, response to hazardous materials situations and investigating fire alarms. Non-emergency duties include training of all types, fire inspections, testing of fire hydrants, public educational presentations and maintenance of fire equipment and apparatus. Q: How rigorous is the work? A: Firefighting depends on your being both physically and mentally prepared. The job requires you to be at your best when others are experiencing the worst. You will deal with citizens who are sick, seriously injured or dying. You must operate in a calm and cool manner when those around you may be hysterical. Although there is downtime in the fire service, there are no breaks. When the alarm sounds, we respond regardless of what we are doing. Calls for service interrupt meals, sleep, and even bathroom time. All aspects of firefighting require physical exertion -- from hoisting ladders on a fire scene to lifting patients on a medical call. Q: What is the hiring process like? A: The process is simple. When the department announces that it will be offering an eligibility test (the next test should be in Spring 2009), visit Maumelle City Hall at 550 Edgewood Drive for an application. If you live outside of the immediate area, you will be able to contact the Personnel Department at (501) 851-2500 to make arrangements to receive an application packet. Submit your completed application to the personnel office by the deadline. If you meet the requirements in the advertisement, you'll be notified by mail of your eligibility to take the civil service entrance exam. Q: What should I expect when taking the civil service test? A: The test is a timed general knowledge exam that measures basic math, reading comprehension and listening skills. Firefighting knowledge is not required to successfully pass the exam. All applicants who pass the test will be ranked by score. This list will be submitted for review to the Civil Service Commission, who will approve its use for hiring entry-level firefighters for up to two years. When a position becomes available, the top three names on the list will be given to the fire department to interview. Q: How many firefighters will be hired? A: The number of firefighters hired is determined by the year's budget allocation and any vacancies that may be created by members who leave the department. In 2004, five firefighters were hired. One was hired in 2005, three were hired in 2006, one was hired in 2007 and four were hired in 2008. Also, remember that the hiring list is good for at least one year. So, applicants who successfully pass the test will be eligible for positions in the year they test and in the first quarter of the following year. Q: What is the department like? A: As recently as 2002, there were only four career firefighters employed by the Maumelle Department of Public Safety. Those four firefighters engineered a pumper while police officers cross-trained in firefighting responded to calls in their patrol cars. Today, citizens are protected by an independent fire department that employs 17 career firefighters, a division chief, a fire chief and 14 volunteer firefighters. We hope the future is as bright as our recent past. As Maumelle grows, plans include expansion of the department -- with tentative plans to construct two new fire stations in the next five years. Q: How much training do I need before I can apply? A: How does none sound? Although previous training and experience as a firefighter will give you a better idea of the work we do, it is not required. All probationary firefighters are assigned to a recruit school for initial training in firefighting, emergency medical services and hazardous materials response. Q: What is "Rookie School" like? A: Most probationary employees are assigned to the firefighter standards class at the Arkansas Fire Academy in East Camden. The 13-week program certifies each firefighter to nationally and internationally-recognized standards in firefighting, emergency medical services and hazardous materials response. Students will graduate the program having completed Firefighter I & Firefighter II curriculum, will be certified as a National Registry Emergency Medical Technician Basic and will possess Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations certifications. Q: What sort of pay do firefighters make? A: A probationary firefighter starts at $25,503 annually with a jump to $26,135 after six months. Upon successfully completion of all probationary year requirements, the salary is increased to $29,199 annually. Currently, the position of firefighter has a maximum salary of $40,793, which is reached after eight years of service. Q: What is the work schedule like? A: Maumelle firefighters work 106 hours in every two-week pay period. The majority of the shifts worked are 24 hours in length. Because of the 106-hour payroll set-up, firefighters must work one 36-hour shift once every six weeks, but are rewarded with two half-days (12 hours) in the same time period. |
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| About Maumelle |
| Maumelle
is located on the north bank of the Arkansas River adjacent to metropolitan
Little Rock, Arkansas' capital city. Maumelle, an incorporated city with
a population of more than 15,000, is a community designed for people to live
in, work in, and play in -- in harmony and in balance. The city is the fastest
growing municipality in Pulaski County and is designed to accommodate an
eventual population of 25,000 who can enjoy neighborhood living as a part
of a total environment which includes job opportunities. The City of Maumelle
includes lively residential neighborhoods, attractive commercial areas, and
one of the South's finest and most attractive industrial parks. Maumelle is a self-contained lifestyle community with all the advantages -- yet none of the drawbacks -- of urban living. There are schools, churches, shopping facilities, medical facilities, police and fire protection, and a variety of community facilities for residents to enjoy. Yet, the scenic beauty of woodlands and streams has been preserved. Both residents and businesses delight in the countryside atmosphere. |
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