Veterans attend Operation Career Boost at Fire District 1

Jim Canfield and Mike Schindler of Operation Military Family speak to more than 40 military veterans at Operation Career Boost, a day-long workshop held recently at Snohomish County Fire District 1 Headquarters.
Jim Canfield and Mike Schindler of Operation Military Family speak to more than 40 military veterans at Operation Career Boost, a day-long workshop held recently at Snohomish County Fire District 1 Headquarters.

More than 40 veterans recently turned out to learn how to make the transition from the military to a career in emergency service at a free workshop at Snohomish County Fire District 1 Headquarters.

Operation Career Boost was presented by Fire District 1 and Operation Military Family, an Edmonds-based firm that provides services to assist with the military-to-civilian transition process.

“We will be hiring firefighters during the coming year. This is part of Fire District 1’s ongoing commitment to give veterans a leg up in our hiring process,” said Fire Chief Ed Widdis.

Fire District 1 recently implemented a policy to give eligible veterans “hiring preference points” ranging from 5 to 10 percent added to their scores in competitive examinations used to determine qualifications of employment applicants.

“Military veterans have already demonstrated the kind of commitment to public service we are looking for in our employees,” Widdis said. “Many of the skills they acquired during their military service, plus the ability to remain calm and work effectively in an emergency situation, align with the demands of a career in the fire service.”

Fire District 1 is the largest provider of fire and emergency medical services in Snohomish County, with full-time staffing at 12 fire stations. The department serves nearly 200,000 residents in unincorporated South Snohomish County, Brier, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace and Woodway.

— Story and photo courtesy of Fire District 1.

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