BY ANTHONY (ANDONI) KASTROS
More and more fire departments are using assessment centers for promotion. Candidates for lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, and higher ranks are likely to face this type of test. Some fire departments are using a “modified” assessment center for entry-level testing. Some agencies even use assessment centers for fire marshal and fire chief promotional processes. Why? Candidates cannot hide deficiencies in assessment centers as they can in interviews. It is easy to say you have people skills and can perform under pressure. Assessment centers make you prove it. You must actually showcase your skills and preparation (or lack thereof).
Fire departments are also facing many new challenges today, necessitating a more in-depth process for supervisors. Although no testing process for a job as complex as a fire officer is perfect, assessment centers offer a much greater opportunity to see the candidate in simulated “day in the life” scenarios.
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