19 interview for pair of long-vacant firefighter positions

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Updated: March 10, 2012 8:10AM

The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners for the city of Park Ridge recently completed interviews of 19 candidates interested in joining the Park Ridge Fire Department as firefighter/paramedics.

Park Ridge Fire Chief Michael Zywanski hopes to fill at least two vacancies within the department through the hiring of new firefighter/paramedics. This could occur in about a month, he said.

“Once the testing components are complete we will make offers,” Zywanski said.

The process of hiring new firefighter/paramedics has been a lengthy one, with one of the positions vacant for more than a year.

More than 200 candidates applied and an eligibility list was created in early-fall 2011.

A change in a state law further delayed hiring when the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners was required to adopt the complex procedural modifications, Zywanski said.

The firefighter/paramedic eligibility list is good for two years, he said.