HomeMy WebLinkAbout500.007 - TestingEffective Date: April 2007 Manuel Graves, Civilian Training Officer
Current Revision Date: 11/29/2023 Section 500.007
Next Revision (1) Date: 11/29/202 Page 1 of 3
Fresno City Fire Department
500 Firefighter Trainee Manual
SECTION 500.007 TESTING
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for testing during the Fresno
Fire Department (FFD or Department) firefighter trainee academy.
APPLICATION
Written and skills tests are used throughout the academy to evaluate the
performance level of firefighter trainees. Tests are delivered at identified and
designated intervals. Trainees will be made aware of the process and frequency
of tests.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
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OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
A flexible schedule is maintained throughout the academy. There are many
influencing factors outside of the academy which are beyond the control of
academy staff. The availability of subject matter experts, access to off-site training
locations, vendor availability, and major emergencies are just a few that can alter
the schedule. When changes must occur, notify the Training Chief of the proposed
changes; with his/her approval, make the change and notify the trainees. The
testing requirements for an Accredited Local Academy are covered in the
Firefighter Training Manual, 500.003 Accredited Local Academy.
1. Written Testing:
In addition to the accredited local academy testing requirements,
training officers should be prepared to deliver a minimum of one quiz
or exam per week. Traditionally, a quiz is administered each week.
Comprehensive exams have been used at the end of a module of
instruction, or as a benchmark. A benchmark would be a mid-term
or final exam. In a condensed academy, a quiz is issued weekly and
an exam at the end of the academy. If scheduling conflicts occur
that prevent a quiz or exam from being administered on the
Effective Date: April 2007 Manuel Graves, Civilian Training Officer
Current Revision Date: 11/29/2023 Section 500.007
Next Revision (1) Date: 11/29/2025 Page 2 of 3
scheduled date, the missed quiz or exam can be taken the following
day, or two quizzes/exams can be delivered at the next scheduled
testing period. If changes occur, notify the trainees.
Written quizzes and exams may be delivered using Target Solutions
Learning Management System (LMS). Quizzes/exams can either be
pre-assigned, or manually assigned via LMS. There are times where
both methods may be utilized. With multiple access points to LMS,
such as a phone, device, or outside computer, all trainees should be
advised of the Department’s ability to see when and who accessed
an assignment and that their access outside the given timeframes
would be considered cheating. Even though you may choose to
open a quiz/exam, the class should be together when the test is
administered.
2. Manipulative Testing:
To maintain fairness between trainees, manipulative testing should
be scripted to ensure the same directions are given to each trainee.
The order in which manipulative/skills tests are administered to
trainees should be random. This can be accomplished by having
trainees place one passport into a container and have a class
member draw names. The names should be placed on an
accountability board in the order drawn. The order drawn is the order
trainees will be called to complete the evolution/skill. This makes the
system random and produces a different testing order.
For a multiple-person, “company,” evolution/skill, such as the 35-foot
ladder, draw the required number of trainees so they perform the
evolution/skill together. This creates a realistic situation as it is not
uncommon to perform evolutions/skills on an incident with members
from various companies.
A minimum of a 10-minute rest period is required between a failed
first attempt and second attempt. A rest period may be longer and
should be consistent across specific tests. To ensure the required
rest period is observed, the administration of the retest may be
conducted after all trainees have completed their first round of tests
prior to any retesting. The method of drawing names lessens the
chance the same person will be first or last on a test. when a retest
is required, two different skills evaluators are to be utilized.
Effective Date: April 2007 Manuel Graves, Civilian Training Officer
Current Revision Date: 11/29/2023 Section 500.007
Next Revision (1) Date: 11/29/2025 Page 3 of 3
PROCESS
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INFORMATION
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DEFINITIONS
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CROSS REFERENCES
Firefighter Trainee Manual
Section 500.003, Accredited Local Academy
Section 501.003, Trainee Grading and Evaluation