Chapter 2 Preparing for promotion

Question 1

Assessment centers

Answer 1

A series of simulation exercises to identify a candidate’s competency to perform the job that is offered in the promotional examination.

Question 2

Class specification

Answer 2

A technical worksheet that quantifies the knowledge, skills, and importance for every classified job within the local civil service agency.

Question 3

“Data dump” question

Answer 3

A promotional question that asks the candidate to write or describe all of the factors or issues covering a technical issue, such as suppression of a basement fire in a commercial property.

Question 4

Dimensions

Answer 4

Attributes or qualities that can be described and measured during a promotional examination. On average 5 to 15 dimensions are measured on a promotional examination. The six most commonly addressed are oral communication, written communication, problem analysis, judgment, organizational sensitivity, and planning/organizing.

Question 5

In-basket exercise

Answer 5

A promotional examination component in which the candidate deals with correspondence and related items that have accumulated in a fire officer’s in-basket.
This is a timed exercise that measures the candidate’s ability to organize, prioritize, delegate, and follow up on administrative tasks.

Question 6

Job-content/criterion-referenced validity

Answer 6

A type of validity obtained through the use of a technical committee of job incumbents who certify that the knowledge measured is required on the job and referenced to known standards.

Question 7

Job description

Answer 7

A narrative summary of the scope of a job. It provides examples of the typical tasks.

Question 8

Knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs)

Answer 8

The traits required for every classified position within the municipality, KSAs are defined by a narrative job description and a technical class specification.

Question 9

Personal study journal

Answer 9

A personal notebook to aid in scheduling and tracking a candidate’s promotional preparation progress.

Question 10

Reliability

Answer 10

The characteristic where a test measures what it is intended to measure on a consistent basis.

Question 11

Spoils system

Answer 11

Also known as the patronage system; the practice of making appointments to public office based on a personal relationship or affiliation rather than because of merit. The spoils system scandals of the New York City “Tweed Ring” and the Tammany Hall political machine (1865-1871) resulted in Congress passing the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883.

Question 12

How long does the eligibility list from promotional exams last in most fire departments.

Answer 12

2 to 6 years

Question 13

The fire department usually establishes a test preparation committee consisting of

Answer 13

three or more officers, chaired by a chief officer. These individuals are the subject-matter experts and are responsible for validating the technical content of the promotional examination.

Question 14

The two documents used to define the KSA’s

Answer 14

A narrative job description
A technical class specification

Question 15

Which of the promotional exams has the longest and most diverse reading list?

Answer 15

The first level supervisory examination.

Question 16

What material is usually presented in the managing fire officers exam?

Answer 16

Fewer technical questions and more administration questions.

Question 17

A typical in-basket exercise contains the following items.

Answer 17

• Instructions for the exercise
• A calendar
• An organizational chart of list of personnel
• Ten to thirty items

Question 18

The following is a suggested method for handling promotional in-baskets:

Answer 18

• Review: Look at every item and determine which items are important (critical) and urgent (involving time constraints), which are important but not urgent, and which are unimportant.
• Prioritize: Handle the important and urgent items first, followed by the important and nonurgent items. When these are finished, you will have handled all items or will have only unimportant items left.
• Identify resources/ options/ alternatives: Determine who can handle the items, which options you may have in how they can be handled, and which alternative courses of action are available.
• Follow up: Provide some form of follow-up on all delegated items.
• Make notifications: Ensure that appropriate persons are notified of necessary and critical information.

Question 19

Promotional Examination: Emergency incident management

Answer 19

This usually occupies a small amount of an officers actual time, yet the required skill sets can be the most critical for evaluation in a promotional exam.

Question 20

Emergency incident simulations will take one of four formats.

Answer 20

1. Data dump question
2. The candidate is provided with a set of basic information concerning an emergency incident to begin the exercise. As the simulation progresses, the candidate is provided with additional updates of the situation.
3. Interactive emergency scene simulation in a classroom or incident simulation trainer.
4. Attempts to make the conditions as realistic as possible by having the candidate perform in a realistic scenario, with full PPE, the apparatus, and his crew.

Question 21

Interpersonal Interaction

Answer 21

Designed to test a candidates ability to perform effectively as a supervisor. In a typical interpersonal interaction scenario, the candidate has to deal with a role player who has a problem, complaint, or dilemma.

Question 22

Key points to meet during an interpersonal interaction:

Answer 22

1. Maintain control of the interview.
2. Tell the employee the exact behavior you expect
3. Give the employee a deadline to demonstrate a consistent behavioral change.
4. Specifically arrange for follow-up meetings.
5. Attempt to get the employee to buy into or take personal responsibility for the improvement plan.
6. Be an empathetic listener, but remain focused on reason for the interview.
7. Clearly explain the consequences if the employee’s behavior does not change or improve.
8. Try to finish the session on a positive note.

Question 23

Writing or speaking exercise

Answer 23

Expect to deliver a short oral presentation or write a memo or report as part of the assessment center process.

Question 24

One posible way to organize your personal study journal.

Answer 24

• The first section could include all of the information about the promotional exam.
• The second section would contain a calendar, usually in the one month per page format.
• The third section would contain the written reference materials. Subdivided by reference, the parts of this section would cover the items used to master the written material.
• The fourth section would cover information about the announced or anticipated components of the promotional examination.

Question 25

One of the best ways to prepare for the role playing portion of the exam is.

Answer 25

Working in one of the busiest fire stations under a widely respected officer.