Cost-effective selection of fire fighter recruits

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Abstract
To discriminate suitable fire fighters from recurring large groups of applicants, an objective test battery was developed which screended applicants on the basis of physical, psychomoter, and mental abilities. The physcial and psychomotor selection procedures first involved fundamental tests of general aerobic endurance, upper body stength, and anaerobic endurance. Successful candidates progressed to more specific tests. Measurements were made of height, weight, hamstring flexibility, balance, strength upper body flexibility, handeye coordination, and the ability to negotiate a fire fighting simulation course. Results of these tests were weighted, allocating 25% to physical tests, 20% to psychomotor tests, and 39% to the simulation course. These scores were then combined with scores of several knowledge tests weighted to be 16% of the whole. This provided a computer-generated ability profile of the top applicants which was considered at their interveiw before an final selection board of fire service officers. Selected candidates were then required to pass a medical examination. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis of 1984 test results demonstrated general independence of the tests (R = -0.34 to R = 0.52), with the exception of bilateral grip stength (R = 0.77). The first four trials of the selection procedure screened 3.172 applications, 16.4% of whom were finally selected for interview. City officials estimated that based on a comparison of new and previously used selection procedures, cost savings of $92.500 were being achieved by 1984.

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