Euclid Fire Department adds four firefighters; chief shares recruiting challenges
Feb. 7—The Euclid Fire Department recently welcomed four new recruits into their ranks, making it a total of 25 additions in the last 22 months.
The most recent recruits — Owen Smith, Matthew Hurst, Steven Stokes and Samuel Meaney — took their oaths Jan. 13 at Euclid City Hall.
The department welcomed nine new recruits in March of 2021, six more that August, then three in February of 2022, and three more in May.
Fire Chief Christopher L. Haddock said that this will be the highest number of firefighters they have had on staff in years.
"Recruitment in the fire service is a challenge. Fewer and fewer young men and women are interested in this profession." Haddock said. "Maintaining adequate staffing levels allows the EFD to safely provide excellent fire and emergency medical services to our community.
"With the welcoming of the four newest recruits, our staffing level will be at 85 firefighters, and this is the highest it's been since 2002."
Haddock said that these hirings exemplify Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail's commitment to the Fire Department and the safety of their citizens. He said that the hirings were a necessity to replace a large number of firefighters who had retired or left to aid another department.
"The problem with staffing is not just happening in Euclid or Northeast Ohio. It's occurring all throughout the United States," he said. "The demographics of the Euclid Fire Department do not match the demographics of the City of Euclid. This is a serious issue that needs to be rectified.
"Finally, we don't just want anyone to serve on our fire department, we want the best. We want firefighters that want to serve in the City of Euclid."
Haddock said that for the first time in the department's history they participated in a regional firefighter entrance examination. The exam took place in 2020 through the Civil Service Commissions of eight cities.
This written examination resulted in an applicant pool of 143 individuals eligible for consideration.
This has allowed Euclid to search a wider range for suitable recruits and allows a candidate who has served with one fire department the opportunity to apply to another.
"The benefits of utilizing this process are the lateral applicants possess the desire to serve with our department and they bring valuable experience with them," Haddock said. "The EFD will leave no stone unturned while searching for funding opportunities that benefit our organization."
Euclid received a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant which will pay the salaries and benefits of six firefighters for next three years.
"This grant not only allows us to maintain adequate staffing levels, but it saves the city $1.8 million over three years," Haddock said. "These grants are extremely competitive and require the applicant to meticulously extract meaningful data and articulate the findings into logical narratives."
Euclid also was able to bring in new recruits through a fire academy the city initiated at Euclid High School. Students can enter the Euclid Fire Academy program during their junior year and upon graduation earn firefighter II certification and their emergency medical technician certification.
"The hope is to recruit 'homegrown' talent at an early age," Haddock said. "Through an agreement with Tri-C, students earn college credit as well. This program was created through the efforts of Assistant Chief Will Anderson. Other exciting events include the fact that last year, our fire department celebrated its 100th anniversary as being paid-career fire department."
