Civil Service Commission Minutes - 10/12/2022 IV1!MATS OF THE: FIRE: FI(:HTFRS AND POLICE OFFICE:Rs'
, CIVIL, SERVICE: COMMISSION
It OC-rOI;FR 12, 2022
Present:
Jim Ileiman. Chair Commission \lembers
Laura Fidelie
John Buckley ti
Christi KI}n. ()Nil Seri ice Director ti City Administration Stall
Julia Vasquei, First Assistant City Attorney
Manuel Borrego. Police Chief
Guy Gilmore. Deputy Police Chief
Scott Vaughn, Deputy Police Chief ti
Donald Hughes, Deputy Fire Chief ti
I lolly Morgan, FIR Generalist
Alfonso Vitolo. Captain ti Wichita Falls Fire Department
John Riley Schreiber, Fire Equipment Operator ti
l. Call to Order
Chairman Ileiman called the meeting to order at 3:31 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes (3/2/22)
John Buckle} mo\ed for appros.al. Seconded by Laura Fidelie, the motion carried 3-0.
3. Review Appeals of the Fire Lieutenant Exam Administered September 22, 2022.
Question 49. Chapter 3, Page 144. Answer Key A
is an organisational le\el having responsibility for operatiyns within a
geographic area.
A. Division
B. Section
C. Branch
D. Unit
Fire Equipment Operator John Riley Schreiber contests this question and asks for it to be
thrown out. FF O Schreiber states that the tlucstiOn seemed vague. Commissioner I leiman states
that it is verbatim from the text material.
Commissioner Fiddle moved that the answer key be upheld. Seconded by Commissioner
Buckle. the motion carried 3-0.
Cir it Service Commission Minutes
4. Review and Approval of Amendments to the City of Wichita Falls Police Officers'
physical/ practical ability test as outlined in the Local Civil Service Commission Rules and
Regulations, Section 143.024 "Entrance Examination Notice" item 1.b.
Commissioner Heiman asks for clarification on the change. Civil Service Director Christi
Klyn explains that currently candidates may only test one time. The change would allow for a
retest of the physical portion only. It has been successful in fire testing and police would like to
try it as well.
Commissioner Heiman clarifies when applicants are eligible to retest. Christi Klyn states
the same day after everyone has completed the first round of testing.
Commissioner Fidelie moved that the amendment be approved. Seconded by
Commissioner Buckley, the motion carried 3-0.
5. Report from Fire Chief
Deputy Chief Hughes thanks the commission for their time. States we have an academy
of five in progress currently. They will be in station around January. Currently nine people short,
so will be starting another process and academy.
6. Report from Police Chief
Chief Borrego thanks the commission for their time and for the approval of the testing
change. Hiring is becoming difficult and we are trying to make the process more functional. Just
graduated an academy of thirteen who are now in the FTO program and it will be January before
they are working by themselves. Currently around six officers down and looking at five to six
retirements between now and the next academy. Dealing with low application count like many
others. Hopeful to receive enough qualified applicants to get an academy started.
Commissioner Heiman asks about quality of quantity. Chief Borrego states that they are
better quality. However, this year is the first time we are concerned about the low count of
applicants. We do not get many officers from other areas. It's been a tough couple years for law
enforcement.
Seeing the same problem in dispatching. We have great support from our community but
the national native toward law enforcement is hard.
Deputy Chief Hughes states at their last testing there was only eight-one applicants and
forty-one showed up to test. Lose 30°o at testing and another 30% at physical. Also having
trouble with candidates thinking they want to be a firefighter and then getting into the career and
discovering it is not for them.
Deputy Chief Hughes states that three hundred to four hundred people testing was normal
back in him and Chief Borrego's day but it is not that way anymore.
Commissioner Heiman asks two questions that came to mind, the applicants know what
the physical portions are prior to testing. Both Chief Borrego and Deputy Chief Hughes state,
yes, there are practice opportunities. Mention of training for fire is the medical training, has
fentanyl changed that? Chief Borrego states they have new gloves that prevent transfer of drugs
( Rd Scr\ice ct„nin scion Minute,.
(et- - , on skin and the) nokk cam Ndtcau for okerdose kkhich thek hake not done before. I)eputk Chid
IIughestates the hake prokidcd c\int training and are up on skills to deli ke Narcali if needed
and the are .seein4t it more.
7. Adjourn
I he meeting adjourned at 3:49 h.nm.
9:,,
,,,Peter I Iciman. CI airman