Civil Service Commission

History of the Civil Service Commission

The Civil Service Commission oversees the hiring and promotion process for the Battle Creek Fire Department. The Commission has been in place since 1962, when Battle Creek voters approved State Act 78 of 1935, which created a civil service system for fire departments.

The Civil Service Commission meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 9:00 a.m. Meetings are held in the City Hall Commission Chambers.

View current and past Civil Service Commission agendas and minutes.

Purpose of the Commission

The purpose of the Civil Service Commission is to establish and maintain a fair civil service system for the City’s Fire Department. The Commission oversees examinations and investigations related to:

• Merit, efficiency, and fitness for appointment
• Employment and promotion of full-time, paid fire department personnel

The Commission also regulates:

• Transfers and reinstatements
• Suspension and discharge of firefighters
• Appeals, disciplinary actions, and prescribed remedies

Responsibilities

The Civil Service Commission is responsible for:

• Directing recruitment for firefighter positions
• Administering written and oral examinations
• Overseeing physical agility testing
• Presiding over appeal and disciplinary hearings

Commission Members

The Civil Service Commission is a three-member board. The City Clerk serves as an ex-officio member. Commissioners serve six-year terms and include:

• One City representative
• One Fire Department representative
• One neutral member of the public

Current Commissioners

Civil Service Rules and Governing Law

• Download the Civil Service Rules (PDF)
• Read Act 78 of 1935 – Firemen and Policemen Civil Service System

Employment Process

Individuals interested in a career with the Battle Creek Fire Department should follow these steps:

1. Visit the City of Battle Creek Career Opportunities page and subscribe to receive notifications about firefighter vacancies.
2. Complete the entry-level written Civil Service Examination.
   • A recommended study guide is available online at Public Safety Compass
     Entry-Level Firefighter Online Study Guide from Public Safety Compass.
3. Earn a score of 70 percent or higher on the written examination to advance to the physical agility exam.
4. Complete the Battle Creek Fire Department physical agility examination, which includes a timed obstacle course simulating firefighting tasks.
   • Review the BCFD physical agility exam candidate guide (PDF).
5. Participate in an oral interview upon successful completion of the agility exam.
6. Placement on the firefighter eligibility list
   • Written and oral exam scores are combined.
   • Candidates with a combined score of 70 percent or higher are placed on the eligibility list.
7. Consideration for employment
   • Candidates are considered in groups of five, beginning at the top of the eligibility list.
   • The eligibility list remains active for two years.

Learn more on the Battle Creek Fire Department Careers page.