LIVE: Fargo Fire and Fargo Police Joint Recruiting

FARGO — Their job is to keep the city safe.

And now, Fargo’s firefighters and police officers are looking for help doing it.

Both departments are now in the midst of a joint recruiting effort for both Fargo city fire and police positions.

Fargo police say their department is no exception to the years-long recruiting shortages police departments nationwide have seen.

Last summer’s ambush on police by an explosives-toting gunman that left one officer dead and others wounded is also a factor.

However, they say the recruits who do apply appear to be extra motivated to give back to their communities and get involved in public service.

Fire officials say their recruitment numbers are improving.

Their challenge is attracting diverse hires to their departments.

Fargo police Training Officer Jon Novacek and Fargo Assistant Fire Marshal Dawn Stollenwerk visited the Morning Show to talk about who they think is the best candidate, about why diversity is so critical to running good departments, what they’d say to critics who say recruiting pushes can bring in less-qualified applicants.

Both departments are accepting applications now.

The fire department application period runs through April 12th.

The police department’s runs indefinitely.

For more information:

https://fargond.gov/city-government/departments/fire/careers

https://fargond.gov/city-government/departments/police/join-fargopd