An investigation by the Tacoma Fire Department determined two new recruits cheated on an EMT test and recommended they be terminated, despite acknowledgement from a private company involved that an "administrative error" allowed the pair to get questions ahead of time. A department spokesperson also called the incident "not malicious" and a "coincidence."
The two recruits are not being named since they are still employed and have not been disciplined.
Both men took an EMT class last year with Seattle-based Remote Medical International. Many prospective firefighters take courses to improve their resumes when applying for full-time work.
In this case, according to the investigation, both men were given "test banks" as study guides, even though the material is "only for instructors." The department also learned some students were spotted in an instructor's office, against company policy. Students were also taking pictures of tests during review, the report states.