Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Preface
Contents
Figures and Tables
Summary
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
CHAPTER ONE: Introduction
Time Constraints
Objectives Guiding the Project
Increase the Demographic Diversity of New Firefighter Hires
Minimize Costs for the City of Los Angeles and Its Applicants
Drawing on Existing Expertise and Past Research
Exploratory Interviews to Understand Stakeholder Perspectives
Job Incumbent Focus Groups to Confirm and Identify New Key Duties, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics for Firefighter Service
Organization of This Report
A Framework for Understanding Recruitment
Firefighter Recruiting Practices
Key Comments on Recruiting from the Interviews
The Emphasis Should Be on Finding Highly Qualified Candidates, Not Merely on Increasing the Quantity of Candidates
CHAPTER THREE: The 2013 Firefighter Selection Process
Step 2: Describing the Minimum Requirements
Test of Reading Comprehension, Arithmetic, and Mechanical Aptitude
Test Development
Step 4: Candidate Physical Ability Test
Job Interview with a Firefighter and Interview Specialist
Collection of Preliminary Background Information Using Applicant-Provided Information
Two Fire Captains Review the Candidate’s Initial Background Application Package
In-Depth Background Check
Step 10: Medical and Psychological Evaluations
Certification
Data
Reduction of Applicants in the Selection Process
The Selection Process’s Impact on Minorities
Caution in Interpreting These Estimates Is Warranted
CHAPTER FIVE: Recommendations
Objective 1: Identify Applicants Most Likely to Be Successful Firefighters
Objective 2: Ensure Equal Opportunity Throughout the Hiring Process
Objective 4: Minimize Costs for the City of Los Angeles and Its Applicants
Start a New Citywide Outreach and Recruiting Campaign for the LAFD
Validate Selection Criteria by Establishing Relationships to KSAOs Required to Be an Effective Firefighter
Explore Options for Reducing the Applicant Pool to a Manageable Size
Establish a Robust Appeals Process for Applicants Who Believe That They Have Been Wrongly Deselected
Increase Electronic Documentation and Use of Online Technology During the Selection Process
Align the Content in Each Selection Step with the Job Analysis and Deconflict It with Other Elements in the Process
Step-by-Step Recommendations for Improving the Selection Process
Suggested Changes to Step 1: Preliminary Background Application and Step 2: Minimum Requirements
Suggested Changes to Step 3: Written Test
Suggested Changes to Step 4: Candidate Physical Ability Test
Suggested Changes to Step 5: Oral Interview, Step 6: Background Investigation and Preliminary Investigative Questionnaire, and Step 8: Field Investigation
Suggested Changes to Step 10: Medical and Psychological Evaluations
A. Key Considerations in Evaluating the Selection Process
B. Defining Critical Firefighter Tasks, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics
C. Outsourcing the Written Test for Entry-Level Firefighters
D. The Impact of Chance Variability in Simple Random Sampling
E. Mathematics and Examples of Key Considerations for Stratified Sampling
References
Back Cover
