Wanted: Rice area firefighters.
The Rice Fire Department is currently accepting applications for firefighter positions. No experience is necessary. The only eligibility requirements are that an applicant must be at least 18 years old and able to pass a physical and a written test. All training is provided free by the department.
At the fire department’s Oct. 4 open house, Rice Fire Chief Scott Janski said there are currently 20 firefighters, but ideally the department should have 10 to 15 more.
Applications can be picked up at the fire hall in downtown Rice, or they can be sent to anyone interested by calling 320-393-2180.
The firefighters on the department are volunteers, although they do get paid $12 per hour during fire calls. The department, Janski noted, answers on average from 160 to 180 calls per year – fire calls, medical calls and rescue calls. Most, he said, are medical calls.