Article Last Updated:
Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 3:43:09 AM MST

More job applicants take firefighter test
By AARON LEO

BRIDGEPORT - Fifteen percent fewer people applied for the written firefighter exam last month, but a higher percentage of applicants took the test.

Of 1,842 applicants for the Fire Department test, 1,487 took the written exam administered Sept. 14, said Jack Colligan, the city's personnel director.

That means about 79 percent of applicants showed up, compared to the last test in 1997, when 76 percent who had applied actually took the test.

The city had 2,164 applications for 1997's exam, but 1,635 people took the test, according to Colligan.

"I think we did very well on the turnout," he said.

Fire Chief Michael Maglione said the recruiting drive was successful, with the help of a team aimed at attracting minorities and women to become firefighters.

About 49 percent of applicants were white, 27 percent black, 21 percent Hispanic and 1 percent each Asian, Native American and undeclared, Colligan said. About 92 percent of applicants were men.

That's a "slight" increase in minorities and women over the previous exam, he said, although he did not have statistics from the last test.

Roger Kergaravat, president of Bridgeport Firefighters Local 834, was satisfied with the results.

But "I would have expected a lot higher number of applicants," he added.

An independent examiner in Washington, D.C., is grading the exams, and Colligan said he hopes to receive the scores within three weeks.

Candidates then have 30 days to review the pass-fail exam, which is graded by computer.

The agility test follows, which is also pass-fail, and then an oral exam, the personnel director said.

He said he hopes to schedule the agility test for November.

The written exam had been scheduled for August 2001 but was delayed when the City Council wanted to revamp the testing process.

City residents who advance to the next level, an oral exam, will receive a 10 percent bonus on their score, Colligan said.

The applicants are then ranked based on their oral scores, and then face physical exams and background checks, he said.

If the Fire Department hires them, the top scorers must take the department's 14-week training course, Maglione said.

He hopes to start hiring in April.

The remaining people on the list are backups in case a candidate drops out, Colligan said.

The department currently employs 339 uniformed personnel and 16 civilians, the fire chief said. But a full complement of staffing is authorized at 376, he added.

Aaron Leo can be reached at 330-6222.