In August of 2003, the Fire Department Promotion Act (50 ILCS 742) became law. This act specifically modified the terms of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners Act (65 ILCS 5/10-2.1-1), the Civil Service Commission Act (65 ILCS 5/10-2-1), and the Fire Protection District Act (70 ILCS 705/16.01) as they pertained to the promotion of personnel in the fire service. Effective January 1, 2010, only individuals who are certified in accordance with the provisions approved by the Office of the State Fire Marshal may be employed to grade candidates participating in the assessment center testing process. It is important to note that these certification requirements do not apply to persons employed or appointed by the jurisdiction administering the test. Departmental staff or fire commissioners who oversee the testing process are not required to be certified.
The JLMC wants to emphasize that to become a Certified Assessor, an individual needs to possess a minimum of ten years of service as a full-time sworn firefighter including at least three years of service as a company officer or higher.
An individual may attend the Basic Assessor Certification Course but will not be certified until the requirement of both ten years of service as a full-time sworn firefighter including at least three years of service as a company officer or higher.
Assessor Certification Requirements
An individual desiring to be a certified assessor must apply to the Joint Management Labor Committee (JMLC) and meet the following minimum requirements established by the JLMC:
JLMC Basic Assessor Certification Course (BACC)
The 24-hour BACC complies with the JMLC minimum initial standard for the qualification of certified assessors covering both lecture and practical components based upon the approved syllabus and Assessor Job Performance Requirements. Attendees will be educated and trained in the numerous exercises that are used in promotional process. Using assessment center practical exercises in small breakout groups, the attendees will learn the skills needed to be a certified assessor.
All coursework will be in electronic format and each attendee must bring their own laptop computer.
Meals and lodging during the three-day course will be the responsibility of each individual.
More information on the OSFM Rules may be found in the Illinois Administrative Rules, Title 41, Part 145.