Galesburg, IL On May 2, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. in Council Chambers at Galesburg City Hall, Haley Stevenson will be sworn in as a Firefighter for the City of Galesburg. This swearing-in ceremony marks a significant milestone for Galesburg Fire Department, as Stevenson will be the first female firefighter for the City.
"This is an achievement that is long overdue," said Chief Randy Hovind. "We are very pleased to have Firefighter Stevenson joining our team, and know that this is the first step of many towards accomplishing levels of diversity that truly represent our community."
In correlation with the City of Galesburg's strategic goal of a diverse city workforce, the Galesburg Fire Department has expanded diversification efforts. Information on how to become a firefighter is available on the City's website, and the Fire Department has begun offering orientation and study groups to help prepare individuals who are interested in pursuing a career as a firefighter.
By providing a more transparent path of how to become a firefighter, and the tools needed to study and prepare, the City of Galesburg hopes to expand opportunities to work for the Fire Department to candidates who may not have otherwise been familiar with the process. With this expanded reach to a new and diverse audience, the City aims to ensure that all individuals know they can consider a career as a firefighter and that there is a road map to success for everyone who would like to pursue it.