March 6, 2004

WRT fire department will double numbers

       More than 70 aspiring firefighters have applied to work for one of Johnson County's busiest departments.  The White River Township Fire Department is more than doubling the number of full-time firefighters responding to emergency calls after getting permission from the state to raise property taxes to fund the additional salaries.  The increase in staffing will bring the department up to National Fire Protection Association standards for serving the White River Township population, chief Michael Tibbetts has said.  Fire department officials once predicted as many as 300 people would apply for the 19 positions.  On Friday, Lt. Jim Engmark said the applicants were practicing their physical agility tests at a Pike Township facility.  After the practice trials, the 70 applicants will spend four days on the certified physical agility test.  The applicants will then take a written test and be interviewed by fire department officials in late June, Engmark said.  The new positions will be offered to the applicants ranked highest after the physical and written tests and interviews.  The new personnel are expected to begin work in October, but residents will notice the tax increase on the bills they receive this spring.  (reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)

  

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