Kokomo merit commission approves lateral hire, rescinds conditional offer after certification gap

KOKOMO — On Sept. 16 the Kokomo Fire Department Merit Commission approved a lateral transfer for a firefighter who lives in Kokomo and rescinded a conditional hire after staff said the other candidate did not hold a required EMT certificate.

The commission voted to accept Braden Schoaff, identified by staff as a firefighter in Monticello who wants to transfer to the Kokomo Fire Department. The action followed discussion of Schoaff’s application and references to his personnel file; the motion to approve him passed by voice vote. “I met with him yesterday. He’s very impressive,” the Fire Chief said during the meeting.

The commission also voted to rescind the conditional hire of Caden Bartley, who staff said was the last remaining candidate from the department’s 2024 hiring list but did not possess an EMT certification. “We are not gonna be able to bring him on without those two certifications,” the Fire Chief said, referring to the department’s hiring requirements for candidates brought in on short notice.

Commission members pressed staff for documentation before votes. One commission member said reviewing candidates’ resumes and applications ahead of a vote “helps us verify that we are meeting all the codes that they need to meet,” and asked staff to include application materials in meeting packets going forward.

Staff told the commission the department requires Firefighter I and II and EMT certifications to immediately fill a vacancy; candidates who lack EMT may remain in the general applicant pool but cannot be moved onto the department on short notice. The commission was told Bartley had Firefighter I and II but not EMT and therefore could not be hired under the conditional offer.

Members were also told the department is down two personnel after the retirements of Dan Guffey and Tim Grama, and that the vacancies could prompt pursuit of another lateral transfer by the next commission meeting. To broaden the pool, staff said they will keep the hiring list open for at least another month to allow applicants time to schedule the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). “You definitely want it scheduled. We would love to have it completed, but you’re gonna have time,” the Fire Chief said of CPAT scheduling.

Commissioners discussed potential constraints related to lateral hires. Staff noted that if a lateral leaves a previous department shortly after receiving training or equipment, the previous employer (in at least one instance described as Monticello) could require payback of some department investments.

The commission’s actions on Sept. 16 were procedural votes recorded by voice; commissioners also directed staff to continue recruiting and to rely on the existing captain’s promotion list until a new captain’s test is available. No new captain appointments were made at the meeting.

Staff said they would notify Schoaff of the commission’s approval and continue recruitment efforts for other vacancies. The commission adjourned after completing the hiring and personnel items on the agenda.