MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) - The Orange Beach Fire Rescue is offering a new resident program to train people interested in careers as a fire fighter. The program would allow trainees to work side by side Orange Beach fire fighters in exchange for free room and board. It starts in February. So for the fire department has had 100 applicants, only 12 will make the cut. Fire officials said it is a way to meet the needs of a growing community. Orange Beach fire fighters spent the Friday putting the finishing touches on a three bedroom two bath home.You should've seen it before hand it was it was bad shape, said Orange Beach Fire Rescue Fire Chief Shane Phillips. Fire fighters worked on the house it will provide to future fire fighters at no cost. We have 12 interns if you will. They'll be trained, and they'll be trained like any other fireman here. They'll haveall certifications. The trade off is that they get free room and board, said Phillips. The training is free too. If the candidate is in school, OBFR will pay for part of their tuition as well. The first thing they ask is how much do they get paid and they're not, said Phillips. Resident fire fighters will work 7 24 hour shifts a month according to Phillips. That is the incentive for the growing city of Orange Beach. Fire Chief Shane Phillips said more fire fighters will mean better insurance premiums for residents and the free labor could save the city $400,000. For us, its a long term interview. We have these residents working with us side by side for two years, said Phillips. Each candidate must pass an intense physical exam and swim test. Theyll also have to commit to two years to the program. We get the labor out of it, and we get we make them more marketable if they want to stay here as a career or if they want to go somewhere else, said Phillips.

• published: 16 Jan 2014
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