Firefighter 2 Promotional Process Your Local 660 understands

Firefighter 2 Promotional Process

Your Local 660 understands and acknowledges the right for any administration to add, remove or change any promotional process for any rank. While Captains and Battalion Chiefs were given over 6 months to prepare for their promotional processes, the Candidates for Firefighter 2 were given the information less than 4 weeks before the test. Also, this was the first time the test had been given in over 20 years. There was also some confusion on the dates the assessment was taking place and Candidates were given their reporting times less than ten days before the actual test. The timeline is shown here. All City of Charlotte employees must follow the policies, procedures and ordinances that have been passed by City Council as required by law.

Background • In the CFD Operations Manual, SOG 300. 03, Part 2, Section B, Subsection 2 describes the different Fire Department communications. • It states that the City Code of Ethics and HR Guidelines shall be strictly followed. • It also states that General Orders: • “A General Order is a policy mandated by City of Charlotte management and/or the administration of the CFD. A GO shall be strictly adhered to in all instances; deviations shall not be permitted without prior approval of CFD administration. ” • The City of Charlotte states the Code of Ethics and HR Guidelines are “absolute directives”.

• On July 1, 1998, a City Budget Ordnance took effect that provided the Charlotte Fire Department with unlimited Firefighter 2 positions with the criteria that anyone who met the objectives SHALL be promoted. • This council ordnance is still in effect today and can be seen in our operations manual GO 206. 01 “Promotional Requirements”. • In that GO, Part 2, Section C, Subsection 1, it states: • “ 1. Firefighter I to Firefighter II The Department has been approved for unlimited promotions of qualified Firefighter Is to Firefighter II. Therefore, each year, all candidates meeting the requirements shall be promoted. a. Completion of 3 years of service with the Department as a Firefighter I. b. Valid NC Class B driver’s license (or equivalent) and an acceptable driving record. c. Checked-out as a Driver on the apparatus to which they are currently assigned (see SOG 302. 02 – Driver Checkout Guidelines). d. Completion of ICS 200. ”

• Per the CFD Command Staff, Candidates will not be able to see the scoring sheets for any review of the process. • CFD Command Staff also stated this is a Promotional Test and should not be used as a diagnostic tool. • If it is a Promotional Exam, then Rule 9 of the Civil Service Board is in effect. • The entire text of Rule 9 can be seen here.

Civil Service Rule 9 • Rule 9, Section 6, Subsection E- Review of Test Material • “Any candidate shall have the right to inspect his own examination materials within 5 working days after the notice of examination results were mailed. Any error in computation or test validity, if called to the attention to the personnel director within this period shall be corrected. ” • The Administration's stance on the Firefighter 2 scoring sheets contradicts the adopted City Resolution.

Rule 9 Amendments • Section 8 of Rule 9 States: • AMEDMENTS TO THIS RULE MAY BE MADE WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD AND WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE AFTER ADOPTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL • (Emphasis added) • Local 660 is once again requesting the HR Director and Fire Administration to provide us any documentation from City Council resolutions or Civil Service Board amendments where Rule 9 has been changed. However, your Local 660 has researched this and the only amendment was made in 1980 to the appeal process

Your Local 660 Thanks You!!!! Be Safe!!!