Firefighter Qualifications

  1. General Promotion Policy
  2. Eligibility Requirements
  1. Applicants must be 20 to 34 years of age at the time of testing. Applicants must not have reached their 35th Birthday at the time of their appointment.
  2. Applicants must be a United States Citizen able to furnish proof of citizenship
  3. Applicants must be high school graduates or possess a General Equivalency Diploma
  4. Applicants must be capable of reading, writing, speaking and understanding the English language
  5. Applicants must pass a background investigation free of disqualifying offenses
  6. Applicants must be able to perform the essential duties of a firefighter and meet all job description requirements

C. Causes for Disqualification:

  1.  Applicant does not hold United States citizenship. (Temporary disqualification until citizenship is obtained.)
  2. Applicant cannot demonstrate his/her ability to read, write, and fluently speak the English language. (Temporary disqualification until the next testing cycle)
  3. Applicant is unable to perform the essential functions of the position to which he/she seeks appointment. (Temporary disqualification until the next testing cycle)
  4. Applicant is unable to successfully complete the Hot Springs Fire Department Physical Agility Test within one (1) attempt during the time allotted. (Temporary disqualification until the next testing cycle)
  5. Applicant has been convicted of a felony under State Law, Federal Law or the Uniform Code of Military Justice. (Permanent disqualification)
  6. Applicant has admitted to conduct that constitutes a felony under State Law, Federal Law, or the Uniform Code of Uniform Military Justice. (Permanent disqualification)
  7. Applicant is a registered “sex offender”. (Permanent disqualification)
  8. Applicant has been convicted of a Misdemeanor offense with in the last five years.   (Temporary disqualification)
  9. Applicant has admitted to committing a misdemeanor offense within the past five years. (Temporary disqualification)
  10. Applicant has demonstrated or admitted to conduct inconsistent with the character required of a firefighter.
  11. Applicant has pending criminal charges of any type, or is on “probation” for a criminal offense other than minor traffic violations.
  12. Applicant has made a false statement in any material fact; withheld information, practiced or attempted to practice deception or fraud in his/her application, examination, background investigation, interview or medical examination. (Permanent disqualification).
  13. Applicant has failed to complete or satisfactorily meet the employment process requirements of the Fire Department including, but not limited to, missed appointments, failure to return application package or other necessary paperwork, failure to promptly notify the Fire Department of changes in address or telephone numbers, or who otherwise fail to complete the application process. (Temporary disqualification until next testing period)
  14. Applicant has failed to satisfactorily complete the written examination, civil service oral interview or any other component of the process of candidacy
  15. Applicant failed to communicate effectively and appropriately in written and oral forms of communication
  16. Applicants did not demonstrate an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a Hot Springs firefighter
  17. Applicant did not exhibit the level of maturity or qualities expected of a Hot Springs firefighter. The determination of an applicant’s level of personal maturity or qualities rests solely with the civil service commission and the chief of the Hot Springs Fire Department
  18. Applicant failure to accurately and precisely respond to the questions of the Civil Service Commission, fire chief and or any other persons designated to make inquiry on behalf of the city
  19. Applicant has used illegal drugs or misused prescription medication:
    1. Admission of illegal use of marijuana five or less times (experimentation) within the last two years. (Temporary disqualification until two years has passed from last use.)
    2. Admission of illegal use of marijuana more than five times within the last five years. (Temporary disqualification until five years has passed from last use.)
    3. Admission of abuse or misuse of legally obtained prescription medication(s), or illegal use of the prescription medication(s) of another person. Conduct involving the use abuse and/or misuse of prescription medication(s) will be considered on a case by case basis with consideration given to circumstances and elapsed time since last drug use. (Permanent or temporary disqualification based on circumstances.)
    4. Admission of illegal use of felony grade substances as defined under the Arkansas Criminal Code. (Temporary disqualification until ten years has passed since last use.)
    5. Admission of illegal use of anabolic steroids. (Temporary disqualification until ten years has passed since last use.)
    6. Admission of the illegal use of one or more of the following common name drugs and/or their chemical analogs:
      1. Crystal Methamphetamine or Methamphetamine
      2. Heroin
      3. OxyContin
      4. Crack Cocaine
      5. PCP
  20. Driving Record: Applicant has a poor driving record incompatible with the safe operation of emergency vehicles or which present  potential liabilities to the City of Hot Springs
    • Three or more events (moving violations or preventable accidents) in the preceding thirty-six months. (Temporary disqualification until standard met.)
    • Reckless driving or similar conviction within preceding sixty months. (Temporary disqualification until standard met.)
    • Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs within the preceding sixty months. (Temporary disqualification until standard met.)
  21. Prior Employment: Has a history of unstable work including, but not limited to, short terms of employment over the candidate’s employment history; employment in an illegal occupation; termination of employment without proper notice; and/or dismissal from any public safety position. Has been disciplined, dismissed, or resigned in lieu of dismissal from any employment for inefficiency, delinquency, misconduct or policy violations. Applicants will be considered on a case by case basis with due consideration of the situation(s). (Permanent or temporary rejection based on circumstances.)
  22. Judgment Issues: Exercised poor judgment skills within the preceding five years. The applicant has demonstrated either immaturity or poor judgment in the applicant’s decision making process. Examples of such conduct would include, but is not limited to: attendance at parties or social functions at which controlled substances or dangerous drugs are consumed, and such activity is known or should have been known by the applicant; silent acceptance of known illegal conduct by others in his presence; workplace behavior/decisions that adversely affect the business or associates, with little or no objectivity justifiable need for such behavior; arrests for misdemeanor offenses other than minor traffic violations. (Temporary disqualification based on circumstances or until the applicant can demonstrate that the applicant’s judgment skills have developed.)
  23. Medical: Has failed to receive the required recommendation for employment by the Commission’s medical doctor. (Temporary or permanent rejection based on nature of the rejection.)
  24. Required Minimal Education: Has failed to meet and/or provide documentation of the minimal educational requirements in accordance with Commission rules. (Temporary disqualification until next examination)