LFB vs CFD Recruitment

Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 6:32 pm

Just wondering if you guys knew that Chicago FD has only put out a recruitment test twice in 14 years. We saw one in 2006, and the one before that was 1995.

Also, when CFD recruits they make it abundantly obvious everywhere (libraries/community colleges/etc) and because you only have to live in district once hired, any 19 year old US citizen with a HS diploma can apply. If I remember correctly, 2006 saw 20,000 applicants and 900 hires. Less then a 5% chance. The hiring process seems a bit shady as well... the test is a pass/fail and it begs the question- who gets the call to go further into the hiring process? Is it alphabetical on the last name? In other words chances are ridiculously slim... and i'm not waiting around until im 25 to work for CFD.

Now, this isnt to say that LFB is easier to get into... it does, however, seem that LFB hires alot more frequently. Yes, it has its own short comings.. but come on... an 11 year gap in between tests?! Alot of the Chi town people that applied back then are over the cut off age for a job, now.

I recently researched this just to expand my knowledge of different departments. A municipality ff job isnt that great either (most calls are med related and ffs are combination paramedics).

Any opinions? Yes im somewhat biased, but even if I wasnt, the message would be the same.

Learner User Online: Joined: 28 Feb 2008 Posts: 49

Sorry mate, I can't really see the comparisons, different countries, different recruitment stratergies and different jobs, covering very different and diverse cultures.

Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 1:57 am

Its not really a comparison... and regardless of country its very odd for a fire dept to only hire once every ten years... Chicago FD is known for this.

Neither do they give you much of a chance to distinguish yourself....

Anyways.... I thought some may find it oddly interesting.

Chicago FD does the same work as LFB.... and Chicago is one of the most diverse cities in the US.

I guess it was somewhat of a rant... I had found all this out right before I posted this.