Promotional Requirements

Section 1 - ADMINISTRATIVE

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this policy is to set forth minimum requirements for promotion into higher grades and to define promotional assessment parameters.

PROCEDURE:

The requirements listed below are the minimum requirements necessary to hold a particular rank level.

• All members participating in the assessments must:
  • have an autonomous paramedic status with the department
  • have no disciplinary actions within one year of the posted test date*
  • meet all the requirements for the posted rank level
  • At the time of the promotional assessment test date, candidates must have attended the previous four shift-friendly FODA courses occurring on the first Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of February, May, August, and November. In cases of an unexpected circumstance, one of the classes may be substituted with an off-site approved officer related course. The Division Chief of Training must approve this course.
• Disciplinary action of a minor nature, such as, but not limited to, tardiness, rudeness, absenteeism, misuse of time, etc. within 6 months of the posted date may be waived at the discretion of the Fire Chief.
• Study information will be provided at least 30 days in advance of the date of testing.
• The study information will include specific version or volume of the books, SOG’s and Policies that will be utilized.
• There will be no make-up tests for any reason.
• After the assessment, a promotional list containing the names of all persons who completed the entire assessment successfully will be kept on file for one year and may be used for additional promotions within the assessed rank.

The list will become effective on the date the Fire Chief promotes a successful candidate.

RANK LEVELS:

• Battalion Chief
• Lieutenant/Paramedic
• Engineer/Paramedic

Battalion Chief

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Fire Administration, Homeland Security, Emergency Medical Services or a closely related field, from an accredited institution plus five (5) or more years of experience in fire or emergency medical service work, three (3) years of which must have been equivalent to fire lieutenant, or higher.
• Exceptions to degree requirements may be made on a case by case basis by the Fire Chief or his/her designee.
• Candidates testing for the position of Battalion Chief must have Florida Fire Officer III certification.
• Candidates must have the following ICS training (I-100, I-200 or I-220, I-300, I-400, I- 700)
• Candidates must have completed 240 hours of supervised ride up time in the Battalion Chief position. (To be achieved after completion of two (2) years as company officer.)
• The BC Ride Up Workbook must be completed during the 240 hours of ride up time and turned into the Division Chief of Training.

Assessment Process

• Written Communications Project
• Tactical Exam
• Interview Panel
• In Basket

Present Battalion Chief written endorsement / competency verification to include: (Must be completed within 1 year from promotional process date)

• Ability to direct others
• Scene Operations
• Administrative Duties
• Knowledge of Resources

Lt/Paramedic (Fire Officer I)

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be employed by Maitland Fire Rescue at least (3) three years.
• Candidates must hold autonomous Paramedic status, Firefighter II, and Fire Officer II. Candidate must have the following ICS training (I-100, I200 or I-220, I-300, I-400, I-700).
• Candidates must possess a minimum of an Associate’s Degree from an accredited institution at time of assessment. Exceptions to degree requirements may be made on a case by case basis by the Fire Chief.
• The candidate must complete on the job training consisting of shift and scene management. This training may begin after 1.5 years of employment and satisfactory completion of Firefighting Tactics I, and completion of the Department approved engineer training. On-the-job training must be supervised by a Lieutenant and consist of a minimum of 240 hours.
• The On-the-job training 240 - hour task book must be completed and turned into the Division Chief of Training.
• The appropriate supervisor must prepare a document which cites positive examples of each. (Must be completed within 1 year from promotional process date)
• A recommendation of competency by the supervisor will serve to meet this requirement.
• Knowledge of Policies
• Ability to Direct Others
• Knowledge of Communication Procedures
• Scene Operations
• Administrative Duties
• Logical Thought Process
• Knowledge of Resources
• Delegation Abilities

Assessment Process

• Tactical exercise
• Coaching/counseling exercise
• Written communications exercise
• Oral presentation
• In Basket Scenarios

Engineer/Paramedic

Minimum Qualification

• Must be employed by Maitland Fire Rescue at least two (2) years, hold autonomous Paramedic status, and hold level of Firefighter II.
• Candidates testing for the position of Engineer must have Florida Fire Officer I certification.
• Must have completed Company Officer Leadership, Firefighting Tactics I & II, Building Construction, Anti-Terrorism.
• Candidates must have the following ICS training (I-100, I200 or I-220, I-300, I-700)
• Must have a certificate of successful completion in Engineer training from a department approved training facility.
• Must have satisfactorily functioned as a relief driver for at least six (6) months. Exceptions to minimum relief driver time frame may be made on a case by case basis by the Fire Chief.
• The candidate must complete on the job training consisting of shift and scene management. This training may begin after 1.5 years of employment and satisfactory completion of Firefighting Tactics I, and completion of the Department approved engineer training. On-the-job training must be supervised by a Lieutenant and consist of a minimum of 240 hours.
• The On-the-job training 240-hour task book must be completed and turned into the Division Chief of Training.
• Engineer/Paramedic promotions made to individuals lacking the full 240 hours of supervised shift and scene management and the five (5) required courses may be made at the Fire Chief’s discretion.
• All other requirements must be complete prior to participating in the assessment.
• To be eligible to participate in the assessment associated with the above position, each candidate must be competent in the eight areas listed below. The appropriate supervisor must prepare a document which cites positive examples of each. A written recommendation of competency by the supervisor will serve to meet this requirement. (Must be completed within 1 year from promotional process date)

ο Knowledge of Policies

ο Ability to Direct Others

ο Knowledge of Communication Procedures

ο Scene Operations

ο Administrative Duties

ο Logical Thought Process

ο Knowledge of Resources

ο Delegation Abilities

Assessment Process

• Pump operator written examination
• Tactical exercise
• Coaching/counseling exercise
• In Basket Scenarios
• Pumping exercise
• Those possessing the Apparatus and Pump Operator Certification from the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office are exempt from taking the written exam.

All Positions Due to the fact that test scores do not influence the ranking of candidates, test scores will not be revealed to candidates. In addition to the aforementioned assessments (Lieutenants and Engineers), a review board will interview the top candidates. The review board will also consider the candidates employment history in their deliberations. At the discretion of the Fire Chief, the interview board may consist of the Deputy Fire Chief, Division Chief of Training, Chief Fire Marshal, and/or (1) one Battalion Chief or Lieutenant and/or a shift member that currently holds the same position as the one being filled, and/or the Medical Director and/or representatives from other emergency service agencies. The interview board will forward their recommendation(s) to the interview panel. A final interview will be held by a panel to consist of three of the following: Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, and a member of Human Resources or Department Head. In the event there are any conflicts with one of the members of this panel, that person/position shall be excluded from the final interview panel. The interview panel will be guided by such considerations as the candidate’s ability to positively interact and motivate other members, past work performance and length of tenure in the fire service and the department. Candidates who are granted an interview with the Fire Chief will remain on a promotional list for (1) one year in no particular ranked order. The Fire Chief may make subsequent promotions from this list during the effective period. Additional assessments may be conducted as needed. Scoring of sections may be performed by an impartial (non-city employee) third party. Specific components of each testing section will be provided by Fire Department Management. Additionally, candidates must attain a minimum of 70% in the written exams and an aggregate score of 70% for the remainder of the assessment categories (excluding interviews).