The Evanston Fire Department will hold two Career Day events for the first time this spring, said Evanston Fire Chief Alan Berkowsky.

The first Career Day will be held on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at Fire Station #2, 702 Madison St. The second session will be held in June. Both events are open to the public.

Berkowsky described Career Day as a “meet and greet” for any citizens interested in learning about a firefighter’s job.

“When I came in 1981, 1,300 people applied (to be firefighters) and there was no position at the time,” Berkowsky said. “I was fortunate because one person dropped. Today, only two or three hundred apply.”

EFD is budgeted for 110 firefighters, said Evanston Finance Director Bill Stafford. There are currently four positions open, said Ron Gannon, Fire Division Chief at EFD.

At the Career Days, attendees will receive tours of the fire station, learn about fire equipment and get a better understanding of the different work schedule and the “different world” firefighters must live with, he said.

Berkowsky attributed the drop in interest for pursuing a career in the public service to the tech boom of the 1990s.

“Obviously when you become a fire chief, you don’t become rich,” Berkowsky said. “It’s the type of job you do because you really want to be in it. Your heart has to be in it.”

Since many Evanston firefighters who started in their careers in the 1970s are retiring, there are more career opportunities in the public service than before, Berkowsky said. EFD hopes more Evanston residents will apply for the positions.

“The open houses will make opportunities to come in on the job more available to Evanston residents,” Gannon said.

The Career Days are part of EFD’s recent efforts to reach out to the Evanston community and surrounding areas.

The department also formed a recruitment committee that went to several junior city colleges, including Malcolm X College in Chicago, earlier this year, Gannon said.

“We are trying to get a little diversity in the department,” he said.

Applicants must be between 21 and 35, but residents of all ages are welcome to attend the Career Days. Applicants also need to be high school graduates, to have U.S. citizenship, to be licensed drivers and to have normal color vision. They will need to pass firefighter and paramedic education courses and earn certifications.

The second Career Day session will be held Saturday, June 4, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Fire Station #1, 1332 Emerson St.

Reach Helena Oh at [email protected].

Evanston Fire Department Career Days:

 Saturday, May 7, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Fire Station #2, 702 Madison St.

 Saturday, June 4, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Fire Station #1, 1332 Emerson St.

 Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and not yet 35

 Open firefighter positions: 4