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Fire commission sets five‑person minimum to schedule written tests, plans rule updates
Summary
After debate about proctor bandwidth and volunteer access, the commission voted unanimously to set a five‑candidate minimum to schedule written exams and asked staff to update forms and pursue any needed rule changes; staff noted a planned move to online testing but said staffing limits still apply.
The Tennessee Fire Commission voted to standardize the minimum number of examinees required to schedule a written test at five, aiming to balance volunteer departments’ access with staff and proctor resource constraints.
Commissioners discussed options ranging from no minimum to three, five or ten students. Director and several commissioners stressed stewardship of taxpayer dollars and the practical costs of sending proctors to remote events. Others noted that some volunteer departments in West and East Tennessee lack the volume for large scheduled events and requested a lower threshold or more local testing opportunities. The director also said the office is working to deploy iPad/computer‑based testing by year end but that proctor‑to‑student ratios (1:25) and other logistics mean minimums remain relevant for scheduling.
After discussion and amendments, the commission voted unanimously to adopt a five‑person minimum for written test scheduling and instructed staff to record the decision in the meeting minutes and pursue any required rule updates. Commissioners emphasized that cancellation of a test should be a last resort and asked staff to work with regional coordinators to support smaller events when feasible.
Staff will update application and scheduling forms, document the new threshold in administrative guidance, and present any rule language changes at the May rules hearing.
