It’s a successful year for South Bend Fire recruitment. 

After a huge campaign for new recruits, firefighters are thrilled with the results just days after applications closed.

According to the department’s Facebook page, there were 703 applicants this round.

This comes a very proactive push for recruits, opening of online applications, and lowering the minimum age from 21 to 18.

Written exams for the applicants begin in May, with physical agility testing throughout the summer.

Those who pass will move on to oral interviews.

The next application process won’t begin until 2018. 

Necessary paperwork can still be turned in for current applicants.