PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- City officials announced Tuesday that they are adopting a new, merit-based system for choosing fire department battalion chiefs.
Mayor David Cicilline and Fire Chief David Costa said the system will help assure department members that promotions are based on what they know rather than who they know.
''We need the confidence of all the men and women of this department,'' Costa said.
He said the system will rely on a test written and evaluated by an outside firm as well as credit for experience in the department and good conduct. Credit will also be given for attending department-sponsored training seminars and college courses.
The first test will be given in May. The company preparing and scoring the test already provides the tests used for promotions to the ranks of captain and lieutenant.
Costa and Cicilline said the battalion chief promotions system was developed in collaboration with the firefighters' union.
''I hope today's announcement is a stepping stone for further work with Local 799, the firefighters' union,'' Costa said.
The union is involved in an ongoing contract dispute with the city, and firefighters have been without a contract for more than four years. The mayor said Tuesday that negotiations are continuing.
According to Costa, there are a total of eight battalion chief positions in the city. He said he expects six of those will be filled with candidates chosen through the new system.
Right now, three of the battalion chief positions are vacant, and another three are expected to open up soon as people are promoted.
