City Commissioner Randy Leonard today released the results of an investigation into whether firefighters cheated on the promotional exams that govern their advancement and compensation.
The investigation found that former a Portland Fire & Rescue training officer, Scott Fisher, shared testing materials and coached selected firefighters on how to succeed on exams. but the investigation concluded that his conduct was not contrary to city rules.
Leonard says that, if Fisher were still working for the bureau, he would be demoted for his actions.
John Klum
"A recent investigation conducted by BHR and Bill Sinnott confirmed allegations
that former Division Chief Scott Fisher provided a copy of a Captainâs promotional exam to a
prospective future candidate. Although the findings did not identify a specific rule that was
violated, I am very troubled by Mr. Fisherâs actions as they serve to undermine the integrity of
Portland Fire & Rescueâs promotional system.
In the report, Mr. Sinnott and BHR make three recommendations. I am directing Portland Fire &
Rescue to implement these recommendations as soon as possible: 1. Increase the security of examination materials by insuring that all draft and final
examination documents, both electronic and paper copies, are retained by BHR.
BHR shall take steps to insure that no party receives a copy of the examination
except for BHR personnel and Subject Matter Experts from external agencies
designated to assist with promotional examinations.
2. Discontinue the practice of ad hoc practice examinations. If PF&R wishes to offer
practice promotional examinations, they should be developed in partnership with
BHR and offered to all prospective promotional candidates.
3. Communicate security measures with prospective candidates to reduce fear of
manipulation of promotional examinations.
Additionally, I am disturbed that Mr. Fisherâs actions do not violate any PF&R and/or BHR rules
or policies. Therefore, I am directing PF&R to work with BHR establish rules prohibiting actions
like Mr. Fisherâs, as well as generally prohibiting the sharing of any information obtained by
PF&R personnel in the examination process, including prohibiting the sharing of questions asked
on written promotional examinations.
no individual or systematic cheating
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