FDNY candidates will take an entry exam that quizzes them on topics like African killer bees and on math questions such as comparing veggie chips to pretzels, but little on firefighting.
With the city planning to give the first FDNY entry exam in five years in 2017, critics say the test has been dumbed down since a judge ruled a former exam discriminated against minorities.
A recently posted preparation manual asks aspiring Bravest to practice by watching videos produced by Lowe’s hardware store on how to install a toilet, replace a sink, and lay a tile floor.
“It’s great to prepare firemen for their second jobs as plumbers,” an insider quipped. “The FDNY might as well call this the ‘Side Job Preparation Guide.’ ”
To test reading comprehension, the tutorial asks applicants to read a 1998 Tampa Tribune article, “Natural Born Killers,” on African bees migrating to the United States.
On math, it first gives tips on solving word problems, then a sample exercise showing the nutritional labels for vegetable chips, rice cakes, trail mix and pretzel twists.
The first of 10 multiple-choice questions says: “Firefighter Harris ate one cup of Fruit & Nut Trail Mix. What percentage of Saturated Fat did she have (% Daily Value)?” Other questions ask test-takers to compare the snacks for fat, carbohydrates and protein.
In another exercise, applicants read labels on bottles of aspirin and acetaminophen, then answer questions such as: “Which medicine relieves pain from toothaches?”
The sample exam includes a video on “How to do CPR on an infant,” but a veteran paramedic says it does not conform to American Heart Association methods taught by the FDNY.
One section seems job-related. It requires applicants to read several rules on safety procedures for entering a construction work site, and to answer simple questions such as putting three steps in the right order.
The test is apparently meant to level the playing field so those more familiar with firefighting don’t have an advantage.
“I think what they’re trying to accomplish is to measure a candidate’s ability to comprehend information and instructions,” an FDNY official said.
In contrast, the NYPD’s sample entry test questions all involve crime-fighting and patrol-related scenarios.
In January 2010, Brooklyn federal Judge Nicholas Garaufis ruled the FDNY exams first given in 1999 and 2002 discriminated against black applicants and halted their use. The city later agreed to pay $98 million in back pay to those minorities passed over, and give some a second chance to join the department.
The city and the Vulcan Society, a fraternal group of black firefighters, devised a new exam that Garaufis approved in 2012. Of 9,400 who scored high enough to be hired, 42.3 percent were minorities — more than ever.
“We have hired more than 1,400 outstanding firefighters who performed well on the 2012 exam, and will continue to use the civil-service list from that test until the new exam is given,” said FDNY spokesman Frank Gribbon.
Sample questions from a test preparation manual:
Reading-comprehension question on a 1998 Tampa Tribune article, “Natural Born Killers.”
Scientists hope to stop killer bees by:
a. using poison
b. controlling breeding
c. removing their stingers
d. importing bees from Africa
Math: Study and compare nutritional labels on four snacks.
FF Johnson was thinking about the Mini Rice Cakes on his way to work and had 36 Mini Cakes as soon as he got to the Firehouse. How many total Calories did he consume?
a. 140
b. 240
c. 280
d. 210
Comprehension question on Lowe’s hardware video instruction in “Replacing and installing a toilet.”
What are most toilets made of?
a. Glass
b. Clay
c. Ceramic
d. Marble