This is from an article in the Chicago Tribune about a lawsuit settlement between the Chicago Fire Department and more than 100 women:
About 138 women who were denied jobs with the Chicago Fire Department following a test seven years ago will have a chance to reapply to be a firefighter on Monday after reaching an agreement with the city in a federal class-action lawsuit.
The women were part of a group of 187 who had passed the written test in 2006 but were later denied jobs because they failed the department’s physical abilities test. Close to 50 of the original applicants no longer meet the eligibility requirements.
In 2011, Samantha Vasich, one of the rejected female candidates, filed a lawsuit in federal court in Chicago, alleging the test was unfair to women because it placed too much emphasis on strength rather than firefighting skills.
Last month, the city agreed to use the Candidate Physical Ability Test, a more accurate test developed by the International Association of Firefighters, to assess the rejected women candidates for the next two firefighter classes, said Marni Willenson, one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs.
“It’s a vast improvement over what was there,” Willenson said.
Under the new agreement, women who were denied jobs and who pass the new test will be given first priority.
Those who are not granted jobs, no longer want to apply or are ineligible will share about $2 million in damages, said Willenson.
The entire article is HERE.
#1 by SMP on May 9, 2013 - 3:39 PM
CPAT is a nationwide standardized test. It has nothing to do with NIPSTA or SUFD. Yes, they make some money, but they are still just the test administrators. Chris, maybe you can’t pass the CPAT and that is why your “kinda angry”?
#2 by chris on May 8, 2013 - 10:36 PM
CPAT is nothing but a money maker for sufd and nipsta
#3 by Drew Smith on May 8, 2013 - 4:28 PM
As far as I know, no one is being given a job yet. Those who passed the 2006 written but failed the physical agility were given the chance to reapply and take the CPAT. This includes all men and women of both the majority and minority. My understanding is that the 2006 physical agility was not pass/fail, it was scored, and no one was told the scale and scoring mechanism. Having watched hundreds of applicants take the CPAT I am sure more than a few will not pass. For those that do not like the CPAT there must be some value in it as many FDs in the U.S. use it and it is licensed by the IAFF who strictly control the quality and evaluate it for adverse impact. NIPSTA and SUFD have tentatively agreed to perform the testing for the City of Chicago. Last year the IAFF made an inspection and audit of NIPSTA’s CPAT equipment, course and records to validate that the testing is being conducted properly. Those who do pass will still need to complete the rest of the hiring process if they are chosen for a position.
#4 by John H on May 7, 2013 - 11:04 PM
We live in a world now where EVERYONE needs to pass…EVERYONE is a winner. And if someone is deemed unqualified, well, then it’s the system’s fault that they failed–can’t possibly be the individual’s fault. Pretty soon we’ll have folks in wheelchairs claiming that the process discriminates against them and that there needs to be an accommodation for them to become fire men and women, as well. We live in a world where everyone is supposed to be able to do every job–any sort of standards, be damned.
#5 by Bob on May 7, 2013 - 10:22 PM
Should be a 5th generation Chicago Firefighter, but I’m a white male so my chances of getting hired are slim to none. Its a damn shame because I would work for free if I had a chance to wear the uniform that’s how much I want it.
#6 by jacob on May 7, 2013 - 9:57 PM
doesn’t strength fall under firefighter skills? you got to be able to pull at charged line in a building or vent or a whole list of things that you need strength for.
#7 by Mike on May 7, 2013 - 7:26 PM
Seems like now a days all u need is a crayon and a piece if toliet paper to sue the city
#8 by Scott on May 7, 2013 - 9:20 AM
Failed the department’s physical ability test? Um, wouldn’t that mean you fail the testing process all in all?? Note the sarcasm…but call me stupid. If you can’t pass every aspect of a testing process, you do not belong. Plain and simple…
#9 by Chuck on May 6, 2013 - 11:51 PM
So…let’s recap…we’ve given 111 candidates of a certain background the job, free and clear, with 19 years seniority and pension, plus paid several hundred more for NOT getting on the job, we’re about to give preference to 138 more individuals of a certain gender a free pass at the job (and goodness only knows how much back pay and seniority THEY will attempt to claim,) and there’s still yet ANOTHER lawsuit pending over paramedic applicants and the physical agility test for the fire paramedic job, which will no doubt result in possibly dozens more uniquely UNQUALIFIED individuals being handed a job without lifting anything stronger than a pen to sign on to the lawsuit. Ah, the beauty of the American Fire Service, exemplified here in the Chicago Fire Department and its hiring practices. How come you never read of the suburbs being sued for all of this nonsense? Because they go after the places with the deep pockets, i.e. the City of Chicago, and ultimately, the taxpayers.