With 114 fewer members since Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans Fire Department kicked off a campaign Monday to recruit firefighters to the department.
The chief of the NOFD said the department needs at least 114 new recruits to help replenish its staff.
"We're looking for men, women, Hispanics, Vietnamese -- anyone who wants to come in," Chief Norman Woodridge said.
NOFD numbers dwindled after Hurricane Katrina and during the rebuilding process. Because of the shortage, four-man rigs now have just three people.
"Being that one person down means a lot," Woodridge said. "We're sending extra companies out to respond to large incidents, so we're up in manpower with that, but we do need to increase supply on these rigs."
Starting pay for firefighters is just more than $19,000, which is below the national average.
The fire department will be conducting test for recruits Wednesday, April 4 and April 11.
Applications are available at City Hall in Room 7W03.
