Fire Dept. may handle promotions differently
Ordinance would change procedure, weighting of tests
BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer
The procedure for promoting professional firefighters through the ranks will change if an ordinance introduced by the Edison Township Council is ultimately adopted.

The measure, introduced on Dec. 22 during the last council meeting of 2008, would change who administers tests as well as how tests are weighted versus other considerations.

During the meeting, Fire Chief Norman Jensen explained how the measure would work. If the ordinance is passed, then the written test that firefighters ordinarily take for promotions would be administered by a third-party testing service hired by the township. The oral exam also would be overseen by a third party. Under current procedure, the test is administered by the chief, deputy chief and a captain.

How much the exams weigh on a decision would also greatly increase. The written exam, which now accounts for 20 percent of an overall score, would increase to 60 percent, and the oral test, which currently also counts for 20 percent, would go up to 40 percent.

A review of the firefighter's file, currently part of the evaluation process, would be phased out except for use as a tiebreaker when all other things are equal.

During the meeting, Councilwoman Antonia Ricigliano asked how much the testing service would cost the township. Jensen said the administration is still looking into that figure, since it depends on which company they ultimately select, but he said there are few promotions within the fire department, so cost won't be a big factor.

"We don't have that many promotions in the fire department," said Jensen.

The councilwoman expressed concern about the phasing out of the file review, noting that one's file might include things that would ordinarily preclude a firefighter from being choice promotion material, such as policy breaches. It could also include things that help an individual's case, such as education level.

"It would seem to me that what is in their file should determine if they ever become eligible," said Ricigliano.

Jensen noted the concern but said that the ordinance itself addresses things like policy breaches. Further, he reiterated that the file is still used in the event of a tie.

The ordinance will have a public hearing during the council's Jan. 14 meeting, where residents can comment on the proposal before the council takes a vote on whether to adopt it.