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Fort Lauderdale approves temporary MOU to expand candidate pool for fire promotions
Summary
The City Commission approved a memorandum of understanding with IAFF Local 765 that lets candidates test now and meet posted qualifications (degree, experience) by Dec. 10; the change also authorizes temporary upgrades for tested employees to reduce overtime and help with imminent retirements.
The Fort Lauderdale City Commission on Sept. 3 approved a memorandum of understanding with Fort Lauderdale Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 765 to allow applicants to test for promotional exams even if they do not yet meet all posted qualifications, provided they obtain required degrees and experience by Dec. 10.
Deputy human resources director Kristin Milligan told the commission that the MOU would permit candidates who graduate in the fall or who are a month short of the experience requirement to take tests now; successful candidates who obtain the qualifications by Dec. 10 would be placed on eligibility lists effective Jan. 1. Fire Chief Steven Golan said the change responds to an expected wave of retirements and would increase the pool of promotable employees while reducing overtime costs. "There's no individual that will be promoted that does not have the qualifications to be in the position," Golan said.
Union president Keith Casa told commissioners the IAFF Local 765 membership voted in favor of the negotiated changes and welcomed the expanded pool. Milligan said the MOU also allows temporary upgrades for personnel who have completed testing so firefighters can be upgraded to fill short-term operational needs without being on the formal eligibility list.
Commissioner Beasley Pittman asked whether the temporary upgrades could disadvantage current applicants; Milligan said postings disclosed the potential MOU and city staff explained that the MOU would not place anyone into a permanent promotion who failed to secure the required qualifications by the December deadline. Commissioners also discussed implementation details and staff oversight of temporary upgrades.
The Commission approved the resolution by roll call. The MOU will be executed by the city manager and becomes part of the city's collective administrative handling of firefighter promotions; it is intended to expand promotion opportunities now while preserving qualification requirements by the Dec. 10 deadline.
