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Commissioner Shirley presses need to adopt updated civil service rules before firefighter testing
Summary
Commissioner Shirley asked whether the city must adopt updated civil service rules before proceeding with firefighter eligibility testing; staff said state law requires hiring under civil service rules and that failing to pass the rules update (Resolution 24) could jeopardize an eligibility list (Resolution 25).
Commissioner Shirley asked the City of Chester council March 9 whether Resolution 24, the proposed 2026 civil service rules and regulations, and Resolution 25, authorizing firefighter eligibility testing, could be considered separately.
"As far as per state law and city ordinance, you are required to hire off of civil service rules and regulations," the speaker who answered told the council, adding that the current rules are "woefully outdated." The official warned that attempting to create an eligibility list without updated civil service rules could jeopardize that list by default.
The chief confirmed the answer, saying succinctly, "You need 24 to get to 25." Council members were told the full civil service package had been emailed and staff offered to meet individually with members who wanted a walkthrough of the changes before the next meeting.
The transcript records the exchange and the procedural importance of adopting modernized civil service rules before proceeding with testing, but it does not record any vote on either resolution.
