Page 103 - Personnel Policy and Procedures Manual

5. Agility Test - Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) - All applicants who successfully complete
the entrance exam will progress to the CPAT. A CPAT video will be made available to all applicants
on the August website under Human Resources. Applicants will be provided the opportunity to
practice the CPAT for a minimum of two weeks prior to the test date. Upon arriving for this test,
applicants must sign a waiver to participate in the CPAT. With all forms submitted, the applicant is
allowed to attempt the CPAT. Applicants are notified of their status (pass/fail) in this segment of
the process before they leave the drill yard.
6. Acrophobia Test - All applicants who successfully complete the Entrance Exam and Agility Test
will progress to an acrophobia test. The applicant must sign a fitness acknowledgement and
certification that they possess the physical and mental attributes necessary to perform the tasks
required to participate in this exam. This exercise tests for fear of heights and leg and hand
coordination. The applicant, with a life safety belt on, must climb the ladder to the top, without
stopping and without placing both feet on the same rung at the same time, once at the top hook the
safety snap ring around the second rung from the top of the ladder, lean back taking the slack out of
the safety belt and clap the hands three (3) distinct and separate times over the head. Unhook the
safety belt and descend the ladder to the bottom without stopping. MAXIMUM TIME - Five (5)
Minutes . EQUIPMENT NEEDED - Applicant wears helmet, gloves and ladder belt.
7. Applicant Interview - Applicants who successfully complete all tests are scheduled for a structured
interview before a five (5) member diverse panel to include women and minorities of various ranks
from the Fire department. Human Resources and/or EEO will be present.
8. Candidates List - Candidates who obtain passing status on the Eligibility Exam, normally a score
of 70 or better, and pass all other requirements are then placed on an eligibility list by grouping. The
grouping is based upon total points from the exam, and the candidate interview in the following
categories -

1. Highly Qualified “HQ” (Top 20% to include ties)
2. Basic “BQ” (Middle 60 %)

3. Minimally Qualified “MQ” (Bottom 20% to include ties)
9. Eligibility List - Candidates successfully moving beyond the background check will be placed on
an eligibility list for consideration in hiring. This list may be used for consideration in selection for
up to one year from the test date.
10. Applicant Referral list - Depending on the number of vacancies, a list of referred candidates will
be forwarded to the Fire Department for hiring consideration. E.g., if the Fire Department has five
vacancies, HR may refer the top 10 candidates in alphabetical order for selection. The applicants
that are not selected will be returned to the eligibility list.

11. Conditional Offer of Employment - As the department needs to fill vacancies, candidates are
scheduled from the eligibility list for a conditional offer of employment. The candidates are to be
selected from the “HQ” list first. If there are less than (3) candidates on the “HQ” list, candidates
can be considered from the “BQ” list. If there are less than (3) candidates on the “BQ” list,
candidates may be considered from the “MQ” list or the position can be re-advertised.
12. Drug Test Screening - Within 24 hours of the conditional offer of employment, a drug-screening
test must be conducted and provide negative results.

13. Post Offer/Pre-Employment Medical Examination - Selected candidates will be scheduled for a
complete Firefighter pre-employment medical examination. A trained physician experienced in
Firefighter medical exams will conduct this exam. These exams are conducted to meet the NFPA

All Rights Reserved – As approved by the Commission on 05-07-2019 103 | P a g e