Akron council approves $180,000 promotional testing contract for fire department

Akron City Council suspended the rules and voted unanimously to authorize the mayor to contract with the National Testing Network to conduct promotional testing for fire lieutenant, fire captain and fire district chief ranks.

Councilman McKittrick presented the ordinance and said the department is being proactive in anticipation of retirements and the domino effect that can cause overtime burdens in key positions. The ordinance description given to Council included a testing package figure of $180,000 and part of the presentation noted the testing will include a written exam and an assessment center.

Councilwoman Omobien asked for details on eligibility and cost: she noted the $180,000 figure and asked whether the city or individuals would pay. A department representative explained that the city pays for the package, that candidates must meet minimum qualifications to take each rank’s exam (for example, a lieutenant candidate must have at least five years on the job), and that the number eligible to test can vary — the speaker gave a range of roughly 50 to 150 candidates depending on rank.

The committee’s report was favorable; the council suspended rules and the ordinance passed by voice vote recorded as 12 in favor, 0 opposed. The ordinance was described as declaring an emergency in the meeting text. No amendments or fiscal offsets were announced on the council floor; staff and the department will proceed with the advertised contracting process.