By By Adam Prestridge
The appropriate measures are being taken to replace the five firemen the City of Atmore lost in February, mayor Howard Shell said Tuesday afternoon.
According to Atmore Fire Chief Gerry McGhee, he received 60 applications from people all over south Alabama and even Florida.
McGhee said applicants must first pass the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) before being considered for hire.
Several applicants took the CPAT Monday at the Rocky Ridge Fire Department in Birmingham, but only one passed, according to McGhee.
CPAT tests will also be administered next month in Opelika and in Mobile in May.
Once applicants pass the CPAT, a background check is performed followed by an interview and physical. If all tests check out, they are cleared for possible hire. If hired, the city has a year to send the fireman to fire school.
As for the southside station, Shell said firemen are on duty there “as we can spare them to keep it open.”
McGhee said he has one shift with four firemen and another with three. He stations two at the southside station from the four-man shift.