The Anchorage Airport Fire and Police Department is recruiting officers with an interesting tactic.
For the first time ever, the department invited interested recruits into the station on Saturday.
Chief Jessie Davis also showed off the department's 10-ton fire trucks and gave a behind-the-scenes look at how laws are enforced at the airport.
Davis said the new approach to recruitment allows people to have more personal interactions.
"We need to offer them all the information that we can, and blow away the fog and allow them to ask questions," said Davis, "so they know what they're getting into before they take that first step."
Davis said the department plans to hire as many as a dozen officers following recent retirements of several people who have been with AAPFD for many years. He said they are looking for people interested in a long-term position.
"It's a very unique job opportunity, because we do both police and fire," Davis said. "It's challenging for us to find that right applicant."
More than 20 people showed up for the recruitment event Saturday.
Training to become an AAFPD officer can take more than a year. No prior law enforcement experience is necessary. More information can be found on the stations job opportunities webpage.
The AAFPD has the largest fire department in the state and the third largest police force, according to Davis.