VIDEO: ABC24 got a sneak peek Wednesday as the Memphis Fire Department gets ready to open up a new recruitment facility.
The redesigned space used to be a gym for a training center the department used until 2000. The new space allows potential candidates to meet one-on-one with recruiters and ask questions. They can even give being a firefighter a try using virtual reality. MFD also said the department is leading the change in how fire departments across the country are recruiting new firefighters.
“We do not eliminate anymore by physical ability tests. We do a physical ability assessment. Our job as instructors, our job is coach them to get better, not eliminate them. If they have desire and want to work hard, let me coach them to get better,” said Stephen Zachar with MFD.