Fire chief proposes promotional-exam schedule and 75% passing score; vendors, costs outlined

Fire department leadership presented a proposal to the civil service commission on Feb. 3 to run captain and lieutenant promotional exams this spring, laying out vendor options, estimated costs and a schedule that would start with an official test announcement on Feb. 18 and finish with assessment centers May 11–14.

Chief Womack (identified in the transcript as the department chief) told commissioners the department solicited proposals from four testing firms and recommends using Resource Management Associates (RMA) for the assessment center work and Ohio Fire Chiefs for the written exam. He said Ohio Fire Chiefs’ written test would cost about $2,500 while RMA’s assessment center is estimated at about $19,000; Ohio Fire Chiefs’ full-service quote was listed at about $20,000 but would not include videotaping, which RMA offers. "They do have a local representative that can work with us and turn the scores around quickly," the chief said, adding RMA provides each candidate a flash drive with video of their assessment.

Under the proposed process the commission would consider a super motion to approve the process on Feb. 17; if approved the department would announce the tests Feb. 18, accept applications March 2–13, hold the written test April 13 (with a one-hour protest window immediately after), consider any protests on April 21, hold an orientation April 27 or 28 and run assessment-center events May 11–14. The chief said certification to hire would follow as needed, with a first likely promotional date in June.

On scoring, the chief said the lieutenant written exam would count 60% of a candidate’s score and the assessment center 40%, while the captain process would be 50% written and 50% assessment. He proposed a 75% passing score for both ranks, noting that an earlier attempt at an 80% threshold had produced high failure rates. "Seventy-five percent seems like we haven't had any problems with using that in previous tests," he said.

The chief reviewed reference materials to be used for the exams, naming updated fifth editions of titles used in prior cycles as well as several books not previously used; department policies and procedures will be included as reference material. He told commissioners the books had just been finalized and said he would share them with candidates and the union to ensure adequate study time. "If we get the books out... it would give them 60 days to study, which most people agree is very fair," he said, after commissioners raised concerns about the length of the study window.

Commissioners asked several clarifying questions. Commissioner Robinson asked whether the union had agreed to the proposed books; the chief said the department had not yet shared copies with union leadership but had spoken with union president Adam Reichman and that the executive board was "on board." Another commissioner expressed support for using the same vendors for consistency and said the 75% pass mark is consistent with police testing.

The commission did not take a final vote on the promotional process at the Feb. 3 meeting; the chief said a super motion would be presented for acceptance at the Feb. 17 civil service meeting.