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Family presses council as city explains state control of firefighter certification; legal review to follow
Summary
At the May 6 meeting relatives of a dismissed candidate and the fire chief urged the council to investigate how the state'run firefighter certification process affects hiring. The city attorney agreed to research options and report back to council.
Relatives of a former firefighter recruit pressed the Jackson City Council on May 6 after the recruit failed to be certified by the state fire academy. Family members and councilors described unclear notification from the academy and concerns about whether the process treats municipal applicants fairly.
Doctor Valerie Campbell said her son was dismissed at a Rankin County training academy session and that city officials did not receive clear reasons for his dismissal. "They never told and she told us before that they do not tell us, why they dismiss them... The only thing they do is say, you're dismissed," Campbell told the council.
Chief of the Fire Department explained that the State Fire Academy (the state'level minimum standards board) controls certification, not the city. "You can be hired as a firefighter 1... within 1 year they say that you have to be certified through the State Fire Academy," the chief said. If a recruit fails to become certified within the year they may appeal to the minimum standards board for an additional year in most circumstances. The chief said the city can train firefighters but does not have authority to certify them; that authority rests with the state and would require legislative change.
Council members and the family asked whether larger municipalities ever obtain local certification authority; members said Tupelo and Gulfport have different arrangements for training but certification still comes from the state. Councilman Banks urged legal follow-up and suggested the council consider asking state legislators to review the law.
City Attorney Drew Martin said he had already begun research and would share a memo with council on the city's options. "I've got some research on this that I'd be happy to share with counsel," Martin said.
No formal legal action or litigation was initiated at the meeting. Council requested that the city attorney analyze whether the city can obtain local certification authority, examine appeals made to the state's minimum standards board and suggest next steps, including possible legislative strategies.
