Lauren Samuels, CSC Docket No. 2023-1539

BackgroundLauren Samuels appeals her score for the physical performance portion of the examination for Fire Fighter (M1880W), West Orange.

The record establishes that appellant took the subject portion of the examination on January 18, 2023. The physical performance portion of the exam consisted of three parts, the obstacle course, the ladder climb, and the darkened maze, and each portion had a passing point. The passing time for the obstacle course was 5 minutes, the appellant completed the course in 5 minutes, 43.51 seconds, and therefore, the appellant failed the examination.

At the test center, the appellant stated that the bag strap was too long and non-adjustable. She stated that it tapped her leg, causing her to stumble, and was a hazard based on her height.

CONCLUSION

N.J.A.C. 4A:4-2.15(b)2, Rating of examinations, states that, “examinations consisting of more than one part may be rated independently, and candidates who do not receive a passing score on one part of an examination shall be deemed to have failed the entire examination.” Thus, it was necessary to pass all three portions of the physical performance examination in order to pass the exam. If a candidate did not complete any one of the three physical performance exercises in under the allotted times, that candidate failed the examination.

The appellant has not presented a persuasive argument for a retest. Each candidate had access to the Firefighter Physical Performance Test Conditioning Manual on the Internet, which explained the test in detail. This test was physically demanding, and involved cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility. The obstacle course was evaluated by the time necessary to perform a series of activities, and one of these activities included proceeding from the Simulated Ladder Fly Hoist to a 50-pound simulated high-rise pack. Candidates were required to pick the pack up, and using the shoulder strap or the hand grip to support the weight, proceed 25 feet to the stairs and ascend and descend them twelve times. They wear a 40-pound weighted vest through the entire exercise as well. The strap, could rest on either shoulder, either on the same side as the pack, or on the shoulder opposite the weight, and the handrails could be used throughout the course.

Each candidate was responsible for completing the obstacle course in a proper manner. Each Center Supervisor makes notes of non-routine occurrences in the testing center. In this case, the Center Supervisor notes indicate that the appellant was visibly fatigued during the stairs, and she proceeded through the rest of the course at a slower pace. He noted that the high-rise bag is never adjustable, and every candidate used the same non-adjustable bag. The appellant competed in the examination with other candidates under similar conditions, and dissatisfaction with a test score is not a basis for make-up examination. The appellant will not be provided with a retest.

A thorough review of the record indicates that the determination of the Division of Test Development and Analytics was proper and consistent with Civil Service Commission regulations, and that the appellant has not met her burden of proof in this matter.

ORDER

Therefore, it is ordered that this appeal be denied.

ClosingThis is the final administrative determination in this matter. Any further review should be pursued in a judicial forum.