Civil Service Commission Minutes - 06/03/2021 MINUTES OF THE FIRE FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS'
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
JUNE 3,2021
Present:
Jim Heiman, Chair § Commission Members
Laura Fidelie §
John Buckley §
Christi Klyn, Civil Service Director §
Julia Vasquez, First Assistant City Attorney §
Manuel Borrego, Police Chief § City Administration/Staff
Ken Prillaman, Fire Chief §
Guy Gilmore, Deputy Police Chief §
Donald Hughes, Deputy Fire Chief §
Brian Lester, Human Resources Supervisor §
Holly Morgan, HR/EBT Specialist §
Linda Merrill, Recording Secretary §
Daniel Ordofiez, Lieutenant § Wichita Falls Fire Department
Al Vitolo, Lieutenant §
1. Call to Order
Chairman Heiman called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m.
2. Approval of Minutes (12/3/20)
John Buckley moved for approval of the minutes. Seconded by Laura Fidelie, the motion
carried 3-0.
3. Review Appeals of the Fire Lieutenant Exam Administered on May 13, 2021.
Question 76. This appeal was withdrawn.
4. Review Appeals of the Fire Captain Exam Administered on May 13,2021.
Question 5. Stage of a fire at which all exposed combustible surfaces and objects within a
compartment have been heated to their ignition temperature and ignite almost simultaneously is
known as which of the following?
A. Ignition
B. Decay
C. Flashover
D. None of the above are correct.
This question was appealed by Lt. Dan Ordofiez. He said `flashover' is not a stage of a
fire; rather, it is an event. He asked the Commission to either accept more than one answer as
correct, or to throw out the question. Commissioner Buckley moved that the Commission accept
more than one answer as correct for Question 5. Seconded by Commissioner Fidelie, the motion
carried 3-0.
Civil Service Commission Minutes June 3,2021 2
Question 8. What Incident Scene Control Zone would you fine witnesses and family
members of victims?
A. Hot Zone
B. Outer Boundary of Cold Zone
C. Warm Zone
D. Inner Boundary of Cold Zone
The appellant of this question was not in attendance at the meeting. Commissioner
Heiman said the word "fine" in the question made him think of dollars and cents. He asked the
Commissioners for their input. Commissioner Buckley stated he shared that concern.
Lt. Al Vitolo spoke against this appeal. The test was the hardest the members have ever
taken, but was well written. It tested not only verbatim memory, but the base theory behind what
was being presented. He felt the typographical error should be disregarded, as the meaning of the
sentence can be gleaned from knowing the concept.
Deputy City Attorney Julia Vasquez said the appeal of this question was not based on a
misspelling, so that is outside the scope of what the Commission can consider in making their
determination. The appeal states the source material does not specify inner or outer boundary of
the cold zone. Commissioner Fidelie moved to sustain the answer key for Question 8. Seconded
by Commissioner Buckley. the motion carried 3-0.
5. Report from Fire Chief
Chief Ken Prillaman said the 68th Academy ended in May, with eight graduates. The 69th
Academy started yesterday. The Department has five openings, and has made offers to 12, as
iiye more retirements are anticipated by the end of August. A change in the department's pension
system has prompted some members to retire.
6. Report from Police Chief
Chief Manuel Borrego thanked the Commission for their time. The Department's last
Academy had five graduates. During the last Commission meeting, he discussed moving to a row
test for physical fitness. Having more than one eligibility list was also discussed. The
Department has started a new Academy and is using the 200-meter row test. There were no
issues. He did note that females had more success getting through this testing. They had two
tests, so it was good to have two eligibility lists.
The Department is still short personnel. There are a few expected retirements coming up.
There are 10 in this current Academy, plus one former deputy sheriff from the Metroplex who
was put through a short Academy. He was sworn in today and will go into the FEO program. He
will graduate with the 10 in the Academy when the time comes.
7. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m.
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im Peter Heiman, hairman