The Amarillo Fire Department (AFD) has officially welcomed 25 new recruits this week. The announcement, made by AFD Community Liaison Officer Jeff Justus during a City of Amarillo media event, marks a significant milestone in the department's efforts to bolster its ranks.
“We’re very excited about that because we’ve been 19 firefighters short for quite some time now,” said Justus.
A Rigorous Selection Process
The newest additions to the department emerged from a competitive pool of approximately 250 applicants. The selection process included a civil service written exam, a physical agility test, interviews, background checks, and a medical evaluation. After starting their orientation on Thursday, the recruits will begin a six-month training academy next week.
The academy will prepare them with firefighter and EMT certifications, as well as wildland fire training. Upon completion, they’ll be assigned to fire stations across Amarillo.
“Hopefully, that will help with our numbers. We still lose about 12 people a year due to attrition, retirement, resignations, and things like that,” Justus noted.
Innovations in Recruitment and Training
This is the fourth class to go through the AFD academy since its inception in 2022. The department previously relied on hiring certified firefighters from Amarillo College, but a decline in available candidates prompted a shift in strategy. Now, AFD recruits individuals without certifications and trains them in-house—a change that has widened the applicant pool significantly.
“Prior to that, you had to have your firefighter one and two and your EMT basic in order to even take our test,” Justus explained. “Now, we certify them ourselves.”
To better prepare recruits for the demands of the profession, AFD has extended the probationary period for new firefighters from six months to one year. The extra time helps recruits adapt to the department’s 24-hour shift schedule and the high-pressure nature of emergency response work.
“We really try to hold them to a high standard,” Justus emphasized.
Pay Raises and Recruitment Efforts
The department’s latest class is also the first to benefit from pay raises approved by the Amarillo City Council, a move credited with improving recruitment and retention.
“We’re always looking for new candidates,” Justus said. “We’re looking for go-getters that take initiative. We’re looking for people that have a heart to be a servant to the community because that’s what it really takes.”
A Promising Future
The AFD’s efforts to improve staffing levels and training programs are vital steps toward maintaining a well-equipped and prepared team of firefighters. With the addition of these 25 recruits, the department is better positioned to serve the Amarillo community and respond to emergencies effectively.
For those inspired to join the Amarillo Fire Department, Justus recommends monitoring the department’s social media channels and press releases for updates on the next recruitment cycle.
