Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Fire Department topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Local body certifies fire marshal exam; Captain Derek Worminger placed on eligibility list
Summary
Members approved certification of the 2026 fire marshal exam results and placed Captain Derek Worminger on the eligibility list after he was the only candidate to complete the process with an 89.7 final score. Officials said captain testing will be restarted after no candidate completed that process.
A local governing body approved certification of the 2026 fire marshal exam and placed Captain Derek Worminger on the hiring eligibility list after he was the only candidate to complete the evaluation process, officials said.
The fire department representative said the department began the fire marshal exam cycle with three candidates; only one completed the entire process and received a final score of 89.7. "Derek is the only one on that list," the fire department representative said, adding that civil-service rules require a 70% minimum on both written and oral components before seniority points are added to produce a final score.
The certification makes the eligibility list effective for two years from the meeting date, until June 8, 2028, unless otherwise changed, the presenter said. The department emphasized that the written exam and scoring are handled by a contracted third party, MCO, which ships test materials by FedEx the day before and returns them the day of testing to avoid any appearance of favoritism.
Officials also discussed the separate captain testing process. Staff reported two candidates began the written exam for captain; one passed the written portion but failed the oral board and the other did not complete the process, so the department will restart the captain test cycle. The presenter described the oral board format, saying panels generally include two chiefs and an outside fire marshal to reduce familiarity, and that promotions are determined by ranked order and seniority once lists are certified.
When asked about staffing, the department reported it is "fully staffed," with 21 personnel in suppression and three in administration across three shifts. The chief said the department has seen turnover in prior years and that maintaining competitive recruitment and periodic testing is necessary to keep eligibility lists current.
Procedural motions on the agenda and minutes were approved by voice vote. The meeting record shows Commissioners Vincent, Bucksen and Frink voting in favor when the agenda was approved. Staff said they will coordinate with MCO to produce another written exam and schedule any needed oral boards; when the process is complete, they will report back to the governing body.
The meeting continued with other business and closed the item after the motions carried.
