CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas \u2014 The Corpus Christi Fire Department is opening its doors to prospective applicants with three in-person recruitment open houses planned before the end of the year. <\/p>\n
The events are part of the department\u2019s effort to attract candidates for its upcoming 49th Fire Academy.<\/p>\n
The first open house was held Saturday at Fire Station 3, the city\u2019s newest and largest fire station located at 1525 Morgan Street.<\/p>\n
Assistant Fire Chief Billy Belyeu, who oversees training, said the goal is to give interested applicants an inside look at the department and the expectations of academy training.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re hosting an open house over here at our brand new beautiful station,\u201d Belyeu said. \u201cThis is one of the busiest stations in the country.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the event allows visitors to meet firefighters, tour the station, and see equipment up close.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re trying to offer them as much information as we can,\u201d Belyeu said. He said the hiring process takes about a year, and the academy itself lasts 18 months.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a highly competitive process,\u201d Belyeu said. \u201cBut it\u2019s a great job, it\u2019s the best job, I believe, in the world.” <\/p>\n
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Adam Beam<\/p>\n
A current firefighter with CCFD provides a tour to potential recruits at Station #3.<\/p>\n
Corpus Christi resident Zachary Cantu attended Saturday\u2019s open house to explore the possibility of joining the department.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe passion they have to help the community, every day is something different,\u201d Cantu said. \u201cThey\u2019re always doing something different, and I like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cantu, who currently works in security on a military base, said he\u2019s drawn to the opportunity to serve the public.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love people,\u201d he said. \u201cI care about people, and I think this (firefighting) is a great way to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The fire department will host two additional open houses next month at Station 14 and Station 18. Both events will offer the same opportunity to meet firefighters and learn about the application process.<\/p>\n
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