HOUSTON—More than a thousand men and women from all walks of life packed the George R. Brown Convention center Wednesday in hopes of becoming a Houston firefighter.
Four college students who are on spring break said they drove 16 hours from Kentucky to take the exam.
“Yea, it’s ironic, but there is a road trip included in it for us,” said Kenton Baker.
“I would be very happy with a job here if I could get it,” said Austin Carr.
Carr and Baker are up against more than 1,300 people.
“Right now I have a desk job. I want to do something where I can help the community,” said Erin Cook from League City.
The fire department is not only looking for men on the force, but diversity.
“I want to do something more physical, and not just my brain I guess,” said Vince Wang a college student from Sugar Land.
About three hundred people will be chosen.
“Our rate has been going up because of an aging work force. So it’s time to replace them with new firefighters,” said Cpt. Roy Lozano with the Houston Fire Department.
“It is hard right now, still looking for a job. I’ve been putting applications everywhere from customer service to sales to fast food,“ said Adam Blancas from Pasadena.
Everyone is expected to know their results by March 29. After that there is a rigorous process of training.
