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Evansville commissioners debate adding cut score to oral interviews for firefighter hiring
Summary
Commissioners and union representatives discussed whether to add a minimum passing score for the oral interview portion of the firefighter hiring process; commissioners asked the chief to present specific scoring data and a proposal next month.
The Evansville Fire Merit Commission on June 10 considered whether to adopt a minimum cut score for the oral interview portion of the city's firefighter hiring process, a change proponents say would prevent candidates with poor interview skills or embellished claims from advancing.
Commissioners said the written exam already has a 70% passing threshold; currently, every candidate who passes the written test advances to the oral interview. The oral portion carries significant weight in final rankings (reported as 50% of the overall score in prior cycles). Several commissioners and members of the merit-review committee urged adding a minimum oral cut score so that poor interviews would not be used to “pad” final rankings.
Deputy Chief Garrett and commissioners described practical issues with the current interview process. Garrett told the commission the oral interviews are scored against anchor points and that interview panels record only numeric scores rather than full transcripts, which limits the department’s ability to fact-check statements made during interviews. Garrett said evidence used to grant veteran bonus points (for example, a DD-214) is verified after initial processing; he also said the department does not routinely fact-check oral statements during the interview itself.
A union representative said the union supports a minimum passing score, telling commissioners, “As far as the union side, we want good people because good people mean good employees, less headaches for chief...” Commissioners discussed scheduling; the oral interviews are likely in August (possible dates given as Aug. 1–3 or Aug. 15–17). Several commissioners asked the chief to provide prior-cycle score distributions and a formal proposal at the next meeting for a specific cut score and scoring mechanics.
Ending: The commission agreed to have the chief produce numbers and a recommended cut score for review at the next meeting; no formal change was adopted on June 10.
