Jackson Free Press

The Mississippi State Minimum Standards Board voted down a critical exam for the city of Jackson's class of firefighters today, saying the city had broken a standard rule while administering the Candidate Physical Ability Test.

"In order to meet the entrance requirements for the certification, a Mississippi State Fire Academy representative or a monitor qualified by academy personnel needs to be at the location of the CPAT, and you're stating that you did not have that?" Board President Ellis Koonce asked Assistant Fire Chief Vernon Hughes at today's board meeting.

"I did not have a monitor from the state or a representative of the board, if that's what you're asking," Hughes replied.

"Were you advised of that (need)?" Koonce asked.

"I don't recall specifically as to what needed to be done or whose presence (was required) at that time. ... We were under considerable pressure by the administration because of the shortage of manpower, and we did the best we could under the circumstances," Hughes said.

Board member Reggie Bell argued on behalf of the city.

"I discussed with Chief Hughes the CPAT program. At that time he told me that he had permission from you (Koonce) to do the class and to do CPAT. ... We were told the dates you had given approval for, but (with) my schedule at the academy, I had nobody who (was available) on those dates," Bell said. "We're a board that's known for leniency. I stood for Vernon on that and (the CPAT) was conducted."

Hughes added that he had recorded the May 11 administration of the CPAT test for perusal by the board.

"We videoed the entire CPAT process and had persons from the personnel department and people from the legal department to see if the we were following guidelines," he said.

The recording wasn't enough to satisfy the board. A majority of members said they feared the board would be liable for potential legal problems if they approved an unsupervised test. That majority voted to nullify the certification.

"The motion fails," Koonce proclaimed after the vote. "Mr. Huges, we'll have another board meeting in June. ... Speak with the secretary, and we'll go from there."

Local firefighter's union president Capt. Brandon Falcon said the decision might mean that the 25 fire academy trainees--whittled down from 62 original applicants--who successfully passed background checks and completed the department's strenuous training period have likely wasted their time.

"May 25 is one year from the beginning of the testing cycle," Falcon said. "So the question is: Does our exam expire tomorrow? Do we have to start over from ground zero when we're already 50 firemen short?"

The delay in graduates comes at an inopportune time. The city's fire department is critically short 60 people, and about 80 firefighters on the payroll have filed their intent to retire soon. The shortage adds to overtime because federal requirements require a certain number of firefighters occupy each station at all times. The city reported in April that overtime in the fire departments was projected to run $1.1 million over budget, making up more than a quarter of the city's $3.9 million budget shortfall.

"This speaks to the lack of sound leadership in the fire department," Councilman Marshand Crisler said. "You cannot run a fire department without a director, and right now we don't have a director in this very critical city department."

Previous Comments

ID

92695

Comment

Well, isn't this just a mess?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-23T16:31:24-06:00

ID

92696

Comment

Sigh.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-05-23T16:33:02-06:00

ID

92697

Comment

My heart is with those recruits!

Author

JenniferGriffin

Date

2007-05-23T16:54:03-06:00

ID

92698

Comment

Local firefighter's union president Capt. Brandon Falcon said the decision might mean that the 25 fire academy trainees--whittled down from 62 original applicants--who successfully passed background checks and completed the department's strenuous training period have likely wasted their time. That's a shame. Because of incompetence, these guys will probably have to start over.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-05-23T17:00:46-06:00

ID

92699

Comment

I'm sure this will turn out to be part of Melton's Vast High-Level Conspiracy, or maybe just a simple personal slap at him and his "fire chief." Because they could never actually do anything wrong.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-23T17:04:49-06:00

ID

92700

Comment

What an embarrassment. Yet, it's the anti-Meltonites who have a problem. I think I'm gonna take a huge sigh as well.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-05-23T18:25:41-06:00

ID

92701

Comment

This is what Jackson wanted. I hope they're happy.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2007-05-23T18:33:59-06:00

ID

92702

Comment

Don't laugh. This is a very serious question: Is it possible for the city of Jackson to start a petetition to "recall" Frank Melton from public office, similar to what was done to recall the former Governor (Gray Davis) of California?

Author

blu_n_a_redstate

Date

2007-05-24T08:26:52-06:00

ID

92703

Comment

I feel awfully sorry for the recruits.

Author

Michele

Date

2007-05-24T10:53:02-06:00

ID

92704

Comment

Don't laugh. This is a very serious question: Is it possible for the city of Jackson to start a PETITION to "recall" Frank Melton from public office, similar to what was done to recall the former Governor (Gray Davis) of California? Sorry I misspelled petition earlier. ;)

Author

blu_n_a_redstate

Date

2007-05-24T11:02:29-06:00

ID

92705

Comment

This could have some serious fall-out for the City of Jackson. Those quys have wasted time and will recceive no money. I smell law suit. The recruits should not be sucking up this type of loss.

Author

justjess

Date

2007-05-24T11:02:41-06:00

ID

92706

Comment

Maybe we should just quit beefing about quality, competency, effeciency, and rational logical thinking. Just remember that the present top administrator for the city of Jackson (mayor) became the incumbent on promises such as: "I can do in 45 min what ____couldn't do in 4 years. " This was accepted as truth and possibility by the State's (then) leading newspaper (CL), not to mention 65% of the city's population. The same people would accept the idea that this mayor can end the drought in the Stouth East and keep the hurricanes from the ocean at bay. There isn't any wonder why MS is accused of having an incompetent workforceeand leads the nation in every negative socio-economic category, except gullability. Lordy, Lordy, please help up PO' Mississippians.!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ladd, I need you this morning because everytime I think that we are about to bounce from the bottom, along comes another stupid situation that tears this bottom out and plummets the city even further inato the ground.

Author

justjess

Date

2007-05-24T11:29:16-06:00

ID

92707

Comment

How long does the actual qualifying test take that requires attendance by one of these proper entities? Can't someone expedite the process to get this training class certified?

Author

bobnoxious

Date

2007-05-24T14:18:21-06:00

ID

92708

Comment

Frank can fight fires with his big stick! He don't need no stinking fire chief, fire truck, or fire hose! Just that stick! He'll tear that damn fire down! "Yeaa... Look at Riverwood. Be tearing up Northpointe!"

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-05-24T14:22:28-06:00

ID

92709

Comment

It is more than a shame that this will be allowed to done to these young men.I attended the graduation of these firemen and all of them had a desire to serve the city. All of them passed extensive background checks and the grueling fitness test that is in question. It appears that to not certify them because of admin errors is just wrong.The dept is so short of manpower right now that I would hope someone in leadership will step up and fight for these guys.Mr. Falcon what good is a union if you don't step up to the plate for the ones who need you.Please continue to keep us informed regarding this situation.

Author

GRNY1

Date

2007-05-27T15:54:56-06:00