Bridgeport Fire Dept. Plans Hiring Process (1/15/11)
From the office of Mayor Bill Finch:
City Plans Entry-Level Firefighter Examination in Summer 2011
Candidates must pass physical ability test before applying
BRIDGEPORT, CT – Mayor Bill Finch, Fire Chief Brian Rooney, and the Civil Service Commission announced today plans to conduct an entry-level firefighter examination for the City of Bridgeport Fire Department this summer. The last entry-level test was administered in 2005 and expired in 2007.
For the first time in the City’s history, the examination process will require that all firefighter applicants must possess a valid CPAT certification, dated June 1, 2010 or later, issued by the State of Connecticut Fire Academy. The CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) certification is a practical exam conducted by the Connecticut Fire Academy used to test a candidate’s physical ability to perform a job task related to firefighting.
“I fully endorse the use of CPAT certification for this upcoming entry-level testing, and encourage any Bridgeport resident interested in becoming a firefighter in the City they live in to apply to our Civil Service department,” said Mayor Bill Finch.
Fire Chief Brian Rooney said that “CPAT was developed in 1997 as a joint effort of the International Associations of Firefighters and the International Association of Fire Chiefs – through a joint wellness-fitness task force. It is a physically demanding test that requires a candidate to use his or her physical, mental abilities and, in some cases, balance. The CPAT involves eight events that must be completed in 10 minutes, 20 seconds. The CPAT process is used in the selection of firefighters in participating fire agencies throughout the United States, Canada, and the State of Connecticut.”
Rooney further noted that, “the CPAT testing has been adopted by 41 paid professional fire departments in the State of Connecticut, including New Haven, Stamford, Waterbury, Stratford, Milford, and Westport.”
Rooney also noted that the Board of Fire Commissioners for the Bridgeport Fire Department voted to endorse and encouraged the City to adopt CPAT testing requirements. Similarly, the Safety and Productivity Committee of the Bridgeport Fire Department, a joint management labor committee made up of Fire Union and City officials, also voted to endorse and encourage the City to adopt CPAT testing. Then, the Civil Service Commission voted in October 2010 to require the next entry level firefighter examination to comply with CPAT certification requirements.
David Dunn, Personnel Director, said “Candidates who are interested in applying to the Bridgeport Fire Department must have valid CPAT certification dated June 1, 2010 or later before they can take the written examination to be conducted by the Bridgeport Civil Service Department. The planned examination process includes a written examination, oral examination, psychological evaluation, as well as a thorough background investigation.”
Candidates interested in applying to the Bridgeport Fire Department can obtain CPAT information from the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control website at http://www.ct.gov/cfpc and application information from the City of Bridgeport website at http://www.bridgeportct.gov and click on the link to the Civil Service Department. Candidates who do not possess a valid CPAT certification should note that the deadline for registering for the spring 2011 CPAT program is February 25, 2011.
CPAT testing will cost candidates $150, however, Bridgeport residents who have demonstrated a commitment to their community may be eligible for scholarships sponsored by the law firm of Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder PC. Applicants can apply for a scholarship at http://www.koskoff.com. In addition to the CPAT fee, the cost for the written examination is $135 for non-residents and $35 for Bridgeport residents. Applications for the written exam given by the City of Bridgeport will be available to those candidates who possess CPAT certification, in May 2011.
Dunn stated that the “examination process will be similar to the recent entry-level police officer examination process. First, candidates must pass the physical ability test (CPAT test). Then they may apply to the City and show proof of CPAT certification for the written examination. Those who pass the written examination may proceed to the oral examination. Thereafter, based upon their rank order, candidates will be screened through psychological evaluations, and background investigations. With the exception of the written and oral examinations all phases of the examination process are pass/fail. Any questions regarding the examination, please contact the Bridgeport Civil Service Commission with your inquiries at (203) 576-7103.
Read MoreCity Plans Entry-Level Firefighter Examination in Summer 2011
Candidates must pass physical ability test before applying
BRIDGEPORT, CT – Mayor Bill Finch, Fire Chief Brian Rooney, and the Civil Service Commission announced today plans to conduct an entry-level firefighter examination for the City of Bridgeport Fire Department this summer. The last entry-level test was administered in 2005 and expired in 2007.
For the first time in the City’s history, the examination process will require that all firefighter applicants must possess a valid CPAT certification, dated June 1, 2010 or later, issued by the State of Connecticut Fire Academy. The CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) certification is a practical exam conducted by the Connecticut Fire Academy used to test a candidate’s physical ability to perform a job task related to firefighting.
“I fully endorse the use of CPAT certification for this upcoming entry-level testing, and encourage any Bridgeport resident interested in becoming a firefighter in the City they live in to apply to our Civil Service department,” said Mayor Bill Finch.
Fire Chief Brian Rooney said that “CPAT was developed in 1997 as a joint effort of the International Associations of Firefighters and the International Association of Fire Chiefs – through a joint wellness-fitness task force. It is a physically demanding test that requires a candidate to use his or her physical, mental abilities and, in some cases, balance. The CPAT involves eight events that must be completed in 10 minutes, 20 seconds. The CPAT process is used in the selection of firefighters in participating fire agencies throughout the United States, Canada, and the State of Connecticut.”
Rooney further noted that, “the CPAT testing has been adopted by 41 paid professional fire departments in the State of Connecticut, including New Haven, Stamford, Waterbury, Stratford, Milford, and Westport.”
Rooney also noted that the Board of Fire Commissioners for the Bridgeport Fire Department voted to endorse and encouraged the City to adopt CPAT testing requirements. Similarly, the Safety and Productivity Committee of the Bridgeport Fire Department, a joint management labor committee made up of Fire Union and City officials, also voted to endorse and encourage the City to adopt CPAT testing. Then, the Civil Service Commission voted in October 2010 to require the next entry level firefighter examination to comply with CPAT certification requirements.
David Dunn, Personnel Director, said “Candidates who are interested in applying to the Bridgeport Fire Department must have valid CPAT certification dated June 1, 2010 or later before they can take the written examination to be conducted by the Bridgeport Civil Service Department. The planned examination process includes a written examination, oral examination, psychological evaluation, as well as a thorough background investigation.”
Candidates interested in applying to the Bridgeport Fire Department can obtain CPAT information from the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control website at http://www.ct.gov/cfpc and application information from the City of Bridgeport website at http://www.bridgeportct.gov and click on the link to the Civil Service Department. Candidates who do not possess a valid CPAT certification should note that the deadline for registering for the spring 2011 CPAT program is February 25, 2011.
CPAT testing will cost candidates $150, however, Bridgeport residents who have demonstrated a commitment to their community may be eligible for scholarships sponsored by the law firm of Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder PC. Applicants can apply for a scholarship at http://www.koskoff.com. In addition to the CPAT fee, the cost for the written examination is $135 for non-residents and $35 for Bridgeport residents. Applications for the written exam given by the City of Bridgeport will be available to those candidates who possess CPAT certification, in May 2011.
Dunn stated that the “examination process will be similar to the recent entry-level police officer examination process. First, candidates must pass the physical ability test (CPAT test). Then they may apply to the City and show proof of CPAT certification for the written examination. Those who pass the written examination may proceed to the oral examination. Thereafter, based upon their rank order, candidates will be screened through psychological evaluations, and background investigations. With the exception of the written and oral examinations all phases of the examination process are pass/fail. Any questions regarding the examination, please contact the Bridgeport Civil Service Commission with your inquiries at (203) 576-7103.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL THAT APPLY!
I will post more info as it becomes available.