The city of Springfield lowered the passing grade on a written exam to become a firefighter, a change that concerns union leadership.
Every prospective firefighter for the Springfield Fire Division must pass a written exam. Before, the minimum score was 70. Now, the passing grade is 66, which the city said is to expand its pool of potential candidates.
“Having the standard lowered diminishes the quality of the candidate,” said Andrew Rigsbee, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 333 in Springfield.
City Manager Jim Bodenmiller said consultants recommended lowering the score, and he said the difference would not affect the quality of applicants.