This Regular Meeting of the Orland Fire Protection District Board of Fire Commissioners was called to order on December 12, 2005 at 7:04 P.M. by Chairman James Walsh.  Notice of the Meeting was posted as required by law.

CALL TO ORDER

On call of the roll, Commissioners Donahue, Michalek and Walsh answered present.

Others present: Chief Donald Bettenhausen, Deputy Chief Arthur Granat, Attorney Carolyn Clifford (arrived at 7:05 P.M.) and Recording Secretary Mary Beth Bowdish.

ROLL CALL

Chairman Walsh stated that Commissioner Donahue had previously been appointed to the position of Secretary.

DISCUSSION AND APPOINTMENT OF A COMMISSIONER TO THE POSITION OF SECRETARY FOR THE COMMISSION

Chairman Walsh reviewed a communication received from a company by the name of PCI Fire Division, a psychological testing agency and requested the information be placed in a file for future reference.

The Commission also received additional information from Ergometrics responding to the Commission’s questions raised from viewing the video tape.  The firm apologized for not responding to the initial request, then when they did respond, it went into the Chief’s spam folder automatically.  The response was reviewed. 

The Commissioners agreed that they are interested in using Ergometrics for the upcoming Battalion Chief promotional testing. The subjective vs. objective aspects of the testing was discussed with Attorney Clifford.  The District is required to give the reading list to the candidates at least 90 days in advance of any testing to comply with current guidelines.  The new guidelines being discussed in negotiations would have to be followed after 3 years.  Percentages were discussed as to the weight of the various testing components.

Chief Bettenhausen expressed his disappointment in Ergometrics in their follow-up and stated he felt the Commission might want to use their product, but not their services.  This would go along with the Commissions desire to change the testing process.    

The Commission participated in a conference call with Carl Swander of Ergometrics.  The conference call included a history of the company, its experience, customer base and staffing level.  The Commission could use Ergometrics in lieu of an Assessment Center.  The Battalion Chief testing is very fluid and would be based on whatever the Commission was looking for.  Standardized written tests are usually for Captains and Lieutenants. 

Battalion Chief testing could be accomplished with a tactical or in-basket exercise for the subjective evaluation.  The first day on site would be training the panel for the role play and in the afternoon, run through the assessment.  Ergometrics would facilitate the performance and then facilitate reviews the second day on a person to person basis. There would also be a consensus review.  The panel would be composed of whoever the Commission decided.  Could be in house personnel, or local Chiefs or personnel totally from outside the area.

Mr. Swander reviewed the preparations and process Ergometrics would perform for the testing.  The Commission requested a written proposal from Ergometrics for 30 candidates to go through different phases of the testing to allow the Commission to determine the level they wish the vendor to participate.  References are also to be provided.

After discussion, the Commissioners agreed that the elements of the testing would include (1) a written exam based on a reading list and OFPD SOP’s; (2) Seniority points; and (3) Subjective Evaluation based on (a) Oral Interviews with the Fire Commission; (b) Video Testing possibly provided by Ergometrics; (c) Chief’s Evaluation; and (d) an in-basket exercise (which could be considered part of the written exam.)

The Chief is to provide the Commission with guidelines as to the type of candidate he is looking for in a Battalion Chief. The Commission also requested the information on the consultants for the written and in-basket exercise, compiling the information, with the fees for the Commission’s review.  Attorney Clifford will research the possibility of a typo in the pre-requisite clause between FO II vs FO III and put together the components and time frame for the Commission’s consideration.  Also the past history information on the BC process, a review of Ergometrics and a start of the timeline should be available at next meeting. 

DISCUSSON REGARDING TESTING PROCEDURES AND TESTING FIRMS

Chief Bettenhausen reviewed his list of items from the last meeting and advised the Commission of the Trustees contract with ESCI for an Agency Evaluation, Risk Assessment and Master Plan for the District.

A motion was made by Commissioner Michalek to adopt Resolution No. 2005-17, A Resolution Setting Forth the Regular Meeting Schedule for the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Orland Fire Protection District for 2006, as amended.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Donahue.  Same carried unanimously on roll call vote.

RESOLUTION REGARDING 2006 REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULE

The meeting adjourned at 9:14 P.M., on motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried on roll call vote.

ADJOURNMENT