News Release

Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency
16 Females Successful in Recruitment Program

(Monday, February 6, 2006) – Sixteen female firefighter candidates successfully completed all aspects of a stringent recruitment process with the Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency. The new recruitment program, launched in May 2005, saw 242 female candidates write a general aptitude test. 124 took the Candidate Physical Abilities Test and 29 were successful. Eight of the candidates will be attending the Nova Scotia Firefighters School starting February 6, 2006. The remaining 8 are already Level 1 certified.

In the spring 2005, a committee comprised of current female firefighters and other HRM representatives developed and promoted the successful initiative. Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency female firefighters and representatives of management went out into the community outlining entrance requirements and job responsibilities and the response was overwhelming.

Since 1996, Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency has made efforts to support a diverse workforce by attracting under represented groups to the fire service, including a successful African Canadian recruitment conducted in 2003, resulting in hiring 14 new firefighters.

Chief Eddy said “Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency wants to create a workplace that reflects the diversity of our community and is pleased with the large number of high caliber candidates who applied. Currently, HRFE has 9 career female firefighters.

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Chief Director Michael Eddy
Director, Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency
(902) 490-4238