From The Baltimore Sun, June 20

BALTIMORE, MD – The Baltimore Fire Department, in turmoil over budget cuts, has begun charging a fee to prospective firefighters, becoming the only city agency to charge job applicants.

The fee, $10 for city residents and $30 for nonresidents, was added for the recruiting period that ended this week to offset costs associated with the recruitment process, said Chief Kevin Cartwright, a department spokesman. Those costs include a new written examination that puts less emphasis on experience, which fire officials hope will attract more city residents.

"In times past, the examination had questions relative to [previous] fire service, and it gave an advantage to individuals that had experience in the fire service that come from outside the city," Cartwright said. "We certainly want our work force to represent the city's diversity and the rich culture Baltimore has."

Cartwright said the fee isn't related to the agency's budget cuts, which have sparked protests. The Fire Department took the brunt of public safety cuts this year, losing $3 million from its budget while the Police Department received a small increase. To meet budget reduction targets, the Fire Department shut down two of its 55 trucks and engines and is slashing overtime by ending the practice of calling firefighters in to fill vacancies.

Between 1,500 and 2,500 applicants are expected during the recruiting period that ends this week as the department looks to fill about 50 positions, Cartwright said. If the department receives 2,000 applicants and an average of $15 in fees paid, the department would generate $30,000.

While new to Baltimore, such fees are charged to those seeking jobs in several other large fire departments.

A $20 fee is charged in Minneapolis, where Baltimore Fire Chief James Clack previously worked. Seattle charges $25, and New York City charges $30, according to online job postings. Those wanting to enter the fire service in Massachusetts pay a $75 examination fee and $100 to take a physical abilities test.

Most areas offer a waiver for those who can show they are unable to pay.

Cartwright said the new fee is "nominal" and should not be a deterrent for applicants; union officials said they did not have an issue with the fee.

City Councilman Nicholas C. D'Adamo, who is also a fire commissioner, said he was unaware of the new fee, but he added that it did not sound unreasonable and could help narrow the field to the most serious applicants. He said he hopes that those who are hired might have the fee refunded.

"If I want to be a firefighter bad enough, I'm going to pay the fee," D'Adamo said. "Ten dollars is nothing in today's world."

But Mary McCormack, executive director of the Fire Department Safety Officer Association, called the fee unfair. "Why should I pay for you to look at my application?" she said.