Shadow Labour Minister Michael Dunkley claims not enough is being done to find local firefighters and that recruiting them abroad is "unacceptable".

Chief fire officer Vincent Hollinsid revealed last week that he may have to look overseas because Bermudians are failing to pass entrance tests to join Bermuda Fire Service.

Only three out of 83 applicants in the last round of recruitment were offered the job. Senator Dunkley said: "This is an avoidable problem, regardless of the startlingly poor local recruiting results.

"Firstly, with the number of layoffs and redundancies on the rise, particularly from the construction industry, the number of people who can qualify for firefighting positions will grow.

"Secondly, the Government must do all it can to facilitate these job opportunities for Bermudians. If there are problems with recruitment requirements, they should be ironed out.

"These are obvious considerations to us, which makes us think officials are not really engaged in the problem. It leaves us thinking this is yet one more example of the Government falling down on the job."

Mr. Hollinsid explained last week that the Fire Service was in talks with the Department of Education and the Adult Education Centre to ensure the academic entrance test was at the right level.

He said the exam was appropriate for a 17-year-old high school graduate but the majority of applicants had the ability of a 13-year-old.

Sen. Dunkley said: "Bermuda's Fire Service used to be over-subscribed. For officials to even float the idea of going overseas for jobs is unacceptable but telling.

"If the Government thinks this is really an option, then they should step down to give a go to others who are not so ready to give up on Bermuda.

"Recruiting Bermudian firefighters has never before been a problem and this begs the question: what is it about the current situation that has altered the outcome?

"In the absence of specifics, people are speculating the extreme failure rate may be related to the Government's failure to enact education reforms that make a difference in the classroom.

"Whether the two are related or not, we see the firefighter issue as symptomatic of a government that has lost its grip on the affairs of the Island."

The United Bermuda Party politician said the challenge was "eminently beatable" but needed a "stronger Bermuda-first mentality".

He added: "As a former volunteer fireman, I urge out of work Bermudians to think about joining the Service. It can be quite a rewarding career, in terms of camaraderie, job security and public service."

A fresh search for 28 firefighters was recently launched and the deadline for applications is today, though Mr. Hollinsid said the Fire Service accepts applications at any time to keep on file.

Labour Minister David Burch has not responded to several requests for comment on the topic.