STOW, Ohio — Facing an unexpected wave of retirements and a shrinking pool of qualified firefighter-paramedics, Stow officials are expanding the city’s hiring process in an effort to prevent future staffing shortages.
The Stow Civil Service Commission voted May 5 to authorize a new firefighter entrance examination and combine the results with the department’s existing eligibility list, creating what officials hope will be a larger and more sustainable pool of candidates.
The decision comes as the department prepares for several retirements, including one firefighter who recently announced plans to retire after reaching 25 years of service…