JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Only 2 of 28 Jackson Fire Department fall recruit graduates passed a Mississippi Fire Personnel Minimum Standards Certification test.
Fire Department spokesman Deputy Chief R. D. Simpson says the department appealed the test results to the Minimum Standards Board, after concerns were raised about the testing process.
"When it came time for testing, we were tested on the curriculum based on the official state curriculum, that we did not have and could not get, and that's where the problems came from." Chief Simpson said.
Simpson says the recruits studied off board approved JFD curriculum, which was somewhat different from what was on the test.
A committee for the board reviewed the appeal and has ruled the recruits can be re-tested later this month.
JFD officials say their staffing is at full strength, the new recruits will allow them to avoid an overtime crunch, trying to keep all engines staffed.
Rescue 1 and truck 19 are not staffed from time to time.
Fire officials say there are other units in those areas that can provide the coverage, so fire protection is not at risk," Chief Simpson said. "We have not come up with a shortage, our minimum standard staffing has remained the same."
Ty Windham, the Mississippi State Rating Bureau's Superintendent of Public Protection, says he has talked with the Jackson Fire Department and says under current staffing, their fire rating is not in jeopardy.
Any reductions in staffing could change that.
Currently the City of Jackson has a fire rating of "3", the highest fire rating of any other city in Mississippi.
Copyright 2012 WLBT. All rights reserved.
WLBT 3 - Fox 40
