PA Department to Change Part-Time FF Qualifications

Qualifications for part-time positions in the Meadville Central Fire Department may be changing in the new year.

Meadville City Council discussed proposed amendments, as adopted by the Civil Service Board, at a meeting Wednesday to encourage new part-time firefighters.

The first item under review called for eliminating successfully passing a criminal history check.

A criminal history check happens later in the hiring process, according to City Manager Andy Walker, and an applicant wouldn't have to have one completed to apply.

Second, rather than needing a valid Pennsylvania Class C driver's license without record of suspension or revocation, applicants must just possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license. The Pennsylvania specification is tentatively taken out of the wording.

The third change expanded the emergency medical technician certification requirement to include either a current Pennsylvania EMT certification or a National Register EMT certification.

Walker said during the meeting that civil service rules are set up that all full-time firefighters are hired from the ranks of part-time firefighters. When there are not part-timers from which to hire, as the city currently finds itself, hiring for full-time firefighters falls under the same qualifications.

"These language changes would also make it virtually the same as the police qualifications for hiring as well," Walker said.

The changes are expected to be put to a resolution for a vote at council's Jan. 16 meeting.

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