Public invited to help develop Fire Chief recruitment profile

For immediate release
July 1, 2008

City Manager Marc Ott announced today that the community will have an opportunity to provide valuable input as the City of Austin develops a recruitment profile for the vacant Fire Chief position.

A public meeting to gather community comments will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, in Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second St., Room 1029.

Input is being sought on the recommended characteristics, knowledge, experience and expectations of the community for the next Fire Chief. This information will help in developing a recruitment profile that will be used to attract candidates in a national search.

The Fire Chief will supervise more than 1,000 firefighters at 44 fire stations throughout the city. In addition to emergency fire response, approximately 70 percent of AFD’s calls are for medical emergencies. Other roles include special operations (rescues); hazardous materials cleanup; and public education.

The City is in its initial recruitment stages and has contracted with Arcus Public from Harrisburg, Pa., to assist in the national search.

For information regarding the recruitment process, contact Christine Jones, City of Austin Human Resources Consultant, at (512) 974-3206.