07/21/2003 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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to the assessment center. It was discussed that there are currently 30 fire fighters eligible to take the Lieutenants exam and it was estimated that at least 15 or more would participate in the test. It was also reviewed that the oral assessment should not be limited as to how many candidates are allowed to participate. Ramsey & Associates voiced that a number of protests get filed by candidates indicating that they were not allowed to complete the test when the number of assessments are limited. Mr. O'Malley indicated that if the commission wanted he could do research on cases filed pertaining to limiting the number of candidates being allowed to take the oral assessment. Mr. Thomay questioned how the Fire Chief felt about only a written exam. Chief Mecan felt that both written and oral assessment is really needed. Mrs. Giesser voiced that she would like to give both an oral assessment and a written exam. Mr. Jesse voiced that he would like both a written and oral assessment tests with a passing score set at 70% or better to move on to the assessment. Furthermore, there should be no limit as to how many candidates can participate in the assessment. Mr. Thomay believes that they should follow Mr. Jesse and the Chiefs recommendations. Ms. Giesser indicated that although the commission would be moving into an unknown financial burden you can not limit the number of candidates on the assessment. The clerk was asked to get new quotes on administering a Lieutenants exam. Ms. Giesser requested the Law Department look into two issues A) in the handbook it talks about the written exam of each candidate being scored by an outside agency. The passing score for the examination shall be determined by the Civil Service commission prior to the identification of the contestants. This is under Rule V section (1). Could that ever be interpreted to her as the commission could give the exam, the testing company can tell the commission the scores without names and the commission then set the passing score to move onto the assessment. Alternatively, would there be legal issues with that. Mr. O'Malley indicated that he would have to review that question. He was not sure that the commission could not limit the number of candidates that would be allowed to move forward to the assessment. Ms. Giesser felt that would be passing a number not a score. Mr. O'Malley indicated that he would review past law regarding protests and weight measures. Ms. Rote indicated that one of the testing candidates questioned if they would be allowed to see their testing score sheets, so she contacted the testing company to see what they allow. Ramsey & Associates indicated that they do not usually allow the candidates to see their score sheets. They should be protesting the validity of a specific question, i.e. the wording or a specific answer or the format of the question not protest just because they did not get it right. However, she would do what ever the Civil Service Commission wanted. She will not send the originals but would fax copies to us. Mr. O'Malley read aloud Rule V section (2) governing protests and inspections. The handbook provides that the testing company's procedures are to be followed. However, Ramsey & Associates indicated that they would follow whatever the Commissioners preferred. Ms. Giesser and Mr. Thomay both felt that the candidates should be allowed to see their score sheets if they request to review the testing materials. VI. ADJOURNMENT: J. Thomay motion to adjourn the meeting. R. Giesser seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. John Thomay 6 Service Secretary Donna