Negotiators propose changes to firefighter promotion exams and expand promotional committee

The chair opened the examinations and promotions section and the presenter walked the group through several proposed language cleanups and procedural changes intended to clarify promotional timelines and selection criteria. “Three points will be added to the score of an applicant taking a promotional exam who holds a locally credentialed paramedic certification,” the presenter said, describing the scoring change designed to remove ambiguity.

Presenter also proposed changing language to reflect that the department maintains four assistant chiefs rather than three and suggested small wording changes such as replacing 'days' with 'calendar days' for 30‑ and 60‑day vacancy provisions in CBA Article 23 to avoid historical confusion.

Local 51’s proposal would expand the promotional committee to nine members selected by the fire chief and the union president; the committee’s duties would include researching third‑party test writing and testing facilities, developing rank‑specific testing and standardized testing procedures and manuals. Presenter said this aims to address member concerns about test validity, faulty questions and selection of study materials.

For specialized 40‑hour assignments (special operations, training academy, 40‑hour division head), the presenter proposed a new paragraph that would select candidates in order of certification and seniority, provided minimum qualifications are met, to prevent the skipping of eligible personnel. No formal action or vote occurred; the group scheduled follow-up discussion and asked for draft pay scales and related documents ahead of the May 1 meeting.