2/6/2009 11:30:00 AM Drug habits hinder fire service recruitment Of 150 who applied for 16 places, only 10 were eligible; many failed drug or basic skill tests
Bermuda Fire Service is understaffed for the first time because so few potential recruits can pass drug tests and reach basic standards in math and English.
In its latest recruitment drive, the service attempted to fill 16 positions. Over 150 people applied, but only 10 could be offered jobs. As many as 30 failed urine and hair sample tests for marijuana and other drugs, and up to 60 were unable to pass rudimentary literacy and numeracy tests. Still more were turned away because they were overweight or suffering from other health problems.
Now the proudly all-Bermudian service is gearing up to recruit overseas for the first time in its history. Fire chief Vincent Hollinsid said yesterday his increasing inability to find healthy, drug-free Bermudians is "a sad testament to where we are as a society."
The phenomenon is not unique to the fire service. Craig Clarke, head of the Prison Officers Association, said yesterday it took the Department of Corrections 12 months to fill its last 12 vacancies and that the problem is worsening each year. Anecdotal evidence suggests the police force is battling the same problem.
Lt. Col. David Burch, minister responsible for labour, said this week that applicants' inability to pass drug tests is the number one barrier to recruitment across all the uniform services.
Mr. Hollinsid said: "I have not experienced this problem in the past. Over the past 15 years recruitment has gone extremely well. For 12 vacancies we would typically get 200 applicants, of which I say we would find 40 or 50 people. We would then have to turn people away. But we are increasingly finding a number of applicants are failing what we consider basic examination in English, math and general knowledge. In addition, a large number are failing the various drug tests that we require of them."
He continued: "It is a very significant number failing one or the other. From 150 applicants we were only able to get 10 [staff] and we struggled to get the 10."
Mr. Hollinsid said the six-man shortfall means the service is currently paying a high overtime bill in order to ensure staff are on duty and public safety is not compromised. He added the situation could become more serious because of a proposed expansion of fire staff at the airport - a move that would leave the force needing 12 more employees. He said the service plans to run a recruitment drive offering jobs to Bermudians who may find themselves unemployed due to the economic downturn. However, the service is also thinking "very seriously" about advertising overseas. He said: "We have never recruited abroad before. If anything, it's a shame. We are an all-Bermudian organization. I am actually saddened that we may have to go to those lengths; that we can't find suitable people here at home. It's a testament to where we are as a society."
Prison officers head Mr. Clarke said it becomes "more and more difficult each year" to recruit Bermudians who are drugs-free and who can pass basic academic tests. He said: "All the uniform services are competing for people from the same pool, and that pool is shrinking. This is major problem for Bermuda." Mr. Clarke hopes the recently increased starting wage for a corrections officer - from $47,500 to $62,500 - will help attract more applicants. However, he also believes the department will have to increasingly look overseas. "It will save the department so much time," he said.
Both Mr. Clarke and Mr. Hollinsid agree with Lt. Col. Burch's statement this week that the uniform services offer security and stability of employment at a time when many people are worried about redundancy.
The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) has been struggling with a staffing shortage for years and has increasingly looked to the Caribbean to fill gaps. Anecdotal evidence suggests drug use is also hampering recruitment into the police, although a police spokesman said yesterday the force's recruitment difficulties cannot be ascribed to one particular problem.
Reader Comments
Posted: Friday, August 14, 2009
Comment by:
George
It saden my heart to hear that the young men and women of Bermuda are not reaching to the quality expected of them because of drug used,and it is really touching because the problem not only in Bermuda but the rest caribbean countries are facing simular problems to. I don't live in Bermuda but it seems like if it's a serious problem down there. The force has decided to recruit from the caribbean or thats a hoax to give the drug free ones who are welling to service in your force high expectations and all to know you have send your application now over a year and nothing not even a repy. What i say give outsiders a chance to service if the Bermudians are not stepping to the plate thank.
Posted: Sunday, August 02, 2009
Comment by:
trinity
It is sad that Bermudans are not able to meet with the expected standard of living of their law keepers, however, opportunity to recruit within the caribbean was and is still available. My question now is; why are the people who were interviewed for at least two years to join the Bermuda Police Service still out there waiting? and how long will they have to wait to begin offering their approved service? or was your interview for recruiting within the caribbean just a hoax?
Posted: Sunday, July 05, 2009
Comment by:
kenton lawrence
am a correctional officer for nine years from jamaica sorry to hear all thats happening somehow i think i can make a difference in the police force i can be contacted by my information provided.
Posted: Saturday, June 13, 2009
Comment by:
colin regis
all i want to say is one hand can n;t clap the goverment need to look around and start to smell the coffee. I now live in trindad and tabago you all to nead to have a good look at how run your programs
Posted: Monday, February 16, 2009
Comment by:
Sara
Perhaps the government needs to wake up and smell the coffee. The firefighters are extremely UNDERPAID!!!!
Why would they want to go through all it takes to become a fireman, only to have the same problems at a higher stress level. People need to be paid fairly for these types of jobs.
Posted: Friday, February 13, 2009
Comment by:
Jackson
It really needs talented people as far as fire fighter recruitment is concerned. http://www.fire-service-recruitment.co.uk
Posted: Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Comment by:
.......
I think this is an insult to many young Bermudians who are tring to do positive things,the majority of us do not do drugs and many of us are away trying to better ourselves and educate ourselves,this and many stories similar to this always makes it look like every black Bermudian will never accomplish anything in our lives.
I know a few people who applied to the fire station who are abroad in school,studying to be lawyers,doctors,teachers and tried to get a summer job at the station when they returned,maybe they did fail the test but they have been swamped with studying in their field,and if so the fire station could have taken the necessary steps to hire tutors or have some type of evening program to get these young guys that are drug free to the standard they require.But instead of coming to this community effort of help they would rather talk down to them and dismiss them.Which by the way is a very typical Bermudian state of mind.But when these young men go overseas and do not know how to do something,people will take the time to show them and explain to them whats going on,and if they have a problem learning then evening classes will be offered and even weekends at the teachers house if necessary.And this is just an example as to why many of young Bermudians prefer to work and train in America or London,and not come back to Bermuda for this lack of understanding.
I was always told that it is ok to Fail but it is not ok to give up.
Thank you.
Posted: Friday, February 06, 2009
Comment by:
Mary
Why am I not surprised to read this. So many Bermuda 'black' males speak poorly in daily conversation. This why they are 'going nowhere fast'. They think their poor English & profanity is all that but it is a turn off: you can say, but you cannot write it. How could we have adults not able to pass a literacy and numeracy tests: stop drinking, smoking, & swearing. Get an education (not just a piece of paper) and move onward & upward. Start at the Adventist Free GED program, move on the Community Schools to improve your skills and please attend the Bermuda College - Free Tuition - "Setting Bermuda's Students on the path to Success" -to obtain a Certificate, Diploma, Associate Degree, or may be a BA. Come on my brothers work with me here! Let's get it on!
Saved & Single and no time to mingle!
