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Franklin Fire Merit Commission schedules oral interviews, swears in new commissioner
Summary
The Franklin Fire Merit Commission set oral interviews for 24 applicants on June 28, confirmed procedures for scoring and hiring order, and administratively swore in Lisa Brown as a commission member so she can participate in upcoming panels.
The Franklin Fire Merit Commission on an unscheduled June meeting confirmed plans to hold oral interviews for prospective firefighters on June 28 and swore in Lisa Brown as a new commission member so she can sit on upcoming interview panels.
The interviews will follow a two-part process of written and oral examinations. Commissioners said panelists will meet for training at 8 a.m. on June 28 and that interviews are expected to continue through about 4:30 p.m. The commission is moving forward with interviews of 24 candidates; two other applicants scored below the written-exam cutoff and will not advance.
"We do have, later this month, the, in person interviews, oral interviews with prospective firefighters," the commission chair said during the meeting, describing the schedule and candidate pool of 26 people who took the written test. Commissioners explained the department uses a combined score from the written and oral exams to produce a ranked hiring list.
Commissioners reviewed procedural details from the commission's rulebook, saying the merit system was established by the City Council on 03/10/1993 and is intended to prevent hires based on personal connections. "[The rulebook] allows people to join the fire department without there being a personal connection," the chair said.
Officials described how the oral interviews are scored: five panelists rate candidates on multiple criteria, then compare scores and discuss strengths and weaknesses before recording results. The commission requires candidates to meet a written-exam threshold (70 percent) to advance; two candidates in the most recent test did not meet that threshold. Staff said emails notifying candidates have been sent and that formal mailed letters would follow.
Lisa Brown took the official oath during the meeting, administered by notary Jackie Hauser. "I, Lisa Brown. Do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States," Brown recited as part of the swearing-in. Commissioners said Brown will serve as a department representative on the commission and will participate on the interview panels scheduled later this month.
Commission members said the commission also oversees promotions and disciplinary hearings and may use executive session when discussing interview questions or personnel matters. No formal policy changes were adopted at the meeting.
