St. Paul officials have extended the deadline for firefighter applications, saying they did not receive as many in past years.

More than 600 people had applied as of Friday morning. In 2010, by comparison, more than 2,500 applied.

The fire department has been working to drum up interest by hosting various community events, said Andrea Turner, St. Paul’s human resources director. They held open houses, women’s expos, workout sessions at local gyms, and took part in the People of Color Career Fair in Minneapolis last month.

Another hiring open house is scheduled for Saturday, noon to 5 p.m., at Fire Station No. 6 at 33 Cesar Chavez St.

The Minneapolis Fire Department, which was recently hiring, also saw lower numbers than expected, said Minneapolis Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Tyner.

“I think it may have to do with the economy humming along, unemployment being low and people looking at other options,” he said.

Turner said she wants to take a look at the St. Paul fire department’s recruitment and hiring process “to see what’s working, what’s not working,” Turner said.

The deadline to apply to become a St. Paul firefighter was Monday and is now next Friday at 4:30 p.m. More information, including the application, is available at stpaul.gov/firefighter.

It’s not uncommon for the city to extend hiring deadlines, Turner said.

When the St. Paul police department received fewer than expected applications for officers in January, they extended the deadline and received many more, according to a department spokesman.