The Region : 2,000 Line Up for 7 Jobs as Firefighters

There were just seven immediate job openings, but more than 2,000 applicants lined up at Anaheim Stadium, hoping to become Orange County firefighters. Some brought foam pads and slept on the walkway outside the stadium’s main entrance to hold their places in line. Many boasted firefighting educations or experience on departments as far away as Detroit. Some were women. All were there to fill out applications and take written tests in order to qualify for further screening. Officials said there could be a total of 25 to 40 openings over the next two years.