Feds sue city, claim biased FDNY exams

To say that minorities could not do well in the FDNY tests of 2002 is racist in itself. I am a minority. I took the test. I got a 97. The majority of the test was TOO straightforward, simple reading comprehension on a grade school level. If ANYONE did poorly, the problem lies in the education that they received. I found nothing in the test geared towards caucasians or screening out minorities. "littered with SAT-like questions"??? are you F-ing kidding me??? My dog could pass that test. The scrutiny should be directed towards inner city schools where apparently minorities aren't being taught the basics in reading comprehension.

And all this controversy about the most recent test having questions about morality and washing dishes, etc... Look at it this way. A firehouse is a family. Lives depend on one another. This is no office job. Attitude in the house is part of the job, as are cooking and cleaning both dishes and life saving equipment. This job is all about sacrifice and trust. Many work for 48 hours straight. If an applicant has the audacity to refuse to wash dishes on a test question, he/she would be a damper on the fire company during a tour. Someone not willing to sacrifice in an everyday setting may not be ready to act in a time where lives are at stake.

I cannot believe the Vulcan society FDNY is involved in this law suit. How many experts have to make up a test before it can be given? Perhaps they can give it to the vulcans to pre approve it? The idea that they can't pass the test is racist ! There must be some other reason the test is flawed.How many minorities failed the test, How many passed?

All this proves is that blacks are dumber than whites as a whole. That test is an absolute joke. I've never heard of anyone getting less than a 97 on it, and I'm talking some dumb kids I went to high school with who went to summer school every year from 6th grade through 12th.

"The rates for the 2002 exam were 97.2 percent for white applicants, 85.6 percent for black applicants and 92.8 percent for Hispanic applicants, court records stated."

The test is written on a fifth grade reading level. Low scores is what you get when you do NOT prepare for a exam.(also known as studying) The lower your score the lazier you are.

There must be a million black people in NYC that would prefer to be a rapping b-baller than actually complete high school. Which is why these savages need to sue to pass a test designed for children.

They should not change the test, they need some kind of brains if they are going to be backing up other firefighters in bad situations. If they can can't pass it look elsewhere for a job. Otherwise we would all have the dream job of choice!!! We could all be Lawyers, doctors, models even if your ugly!!!

Batman wrote:

To say that minorities could not do well in the FDNY tests of 2002 is racist in itself. I am a minority. I took the test. I got a 97. The majority of the test was TOO straightforward, simple reading comprehension on a grade school level. If ANYONE did poorly, the problem lies in the education that they received. I found nothing in the test geared towards caucasians or screening out minorities. "littered with SAT-like questions"??? are you F-ing kidding me??? My dog could pass that test. The scrutiny should be directed towards inner city schools where apparently minorities aren't being taught the basics in reading comprehension.
And all this controversy about the most recent test having questions about morality and washing dishes, etc... Look at it this way. A firehouse is a family. Lives depend on one another. This is no office job. Attitude in the house is part of the job, as are cooking and cleaning both dishes and life saving equipment. This job is all about sacrifice and trust. Many work for 48 hours straight. If an applicant has the audacity to refuse to wash dishes on a test question, he/she would be a damper on the fire company during a tour. Someone not willing to sacrifice in an everyday setting may not be ready to act in a time where lives are at stake.

Amen brother.

Great!!!!!!!!! Once again we wil dumb down the people that are paid to protect us.

I hope these idiots that are suing do not have to be rescued by someone that can't read an exit sign. Maybe if these idiots knew how to read and studied they could pass the test like everyone else.

Batman wrote:

To say that minorities could not do well in the FDNY tests of 2002 is racist in itself. I am a minority. I took the test. I got a 97. The majority of the test was TOO straightforward, simple reading comprehension on a grade school level. If ANYONE did poorly, the problem lies in the education that they received. I found nothing in the test geared towards caucasians or screening out minorities. "littered with SAT-like questions"??? are you F-ing kidding me??? My dog could pass that test. The scrutiny should be directed towards inner city schools where apparently minorities aren't being taught the basics in reading comprehension.
And all this controversy about the most recent test having questions about morality and washing dishes, etc... Look at it this way. A firehouse is a family. Lives depend on one another. This is no office job. Attitude in the house is part of the job, as are cooking and cleaning both dishes and life saving equipment. This job is all about sacrifice and trust. Many work for 48 hours straight. If an applicant has the audacity to refuse to wash dishes on a test question, he/she would be a damper on the fire company during a tour. Someone not willing to sacrifice in an everyday setting may not be ready to act in a time where lives are at stake.

I agree with what you say, you have some good points. If they cannot pass the test then they should be looking into the schools they attended.

Here is a typical question from an FDNY test. I made this up, but honestly, it's not too far off:

Some fire fighting tactics may appear to be destructive, but often serve specific needs. For example, during "ventilation" firefighters are often forced to open holes in the roof or floors of a structure (called "vertical ventilation") or open windows or walls (called "horizontal ventilation") to remove smoke and heated gases from the interior of the structure.

During a fire, Firefighters ventilate structures by opening holes in:

A) Computers
B) Concrete and masonry foundations
c) Roofs and windows
D) Enchiladas

Batman wrote:

Here is a typical question from an FDNY test. I made this up, but honestly, it's not too far off:
Some fire fighting tactics may appear to be destructive, but often serve specific needs. For example, during "ventilation" firefighters are often forced to open holes in the roof or floors of a structure (called "vertical ventilation") or open windows or walls (called "horizontal ventilation") to remove smoke and heated gases from the interior of the structure.
During a fire, Firefighters ventilate structures by opening holes in:
A) Computers
B) Concrete and masonry foundations
c) Roofs and windows
D) Enchiladas

They have enchiladas at the test?...Where?

"The rates for the 2002 exam were 97.2 percent for white applicants, 85.6 percent for black applicants and 92.8 percent for Hispanic applicants, court records stated."

How do these scores indicate a discriminatory testing practice?!? What's wrong with using SAT like questions anyway?? Don't minorities go to college??

Batman wrote:

To say that minorities could not do well in the FDNY tests of 2002 is racist in itself. I am a minority. I took the test. I got a 97. The majority of the test was TOO straightforward, simple reading comprehension on a grade school level. If ANYONE did poorly, the problem lies in the education that they received. I found nothing in the test geared towards caucasians or screening out minorities. "littered with SAT-like questions"??? are you F-ing kidding me??? My dog could pass that test. The scrutiny should be directed towards inner city schools where apparently minorities aren't being taught the basics in reading comprehension.
And all this controversy about the most recent test having questions about morality and washing dishes, etc... Look at it this way. A firehouse is a family. Lives depend on one another. This is no office job. Attitude in the house is part of the job, as are cooking and cleaning both dishes and life saving equipment. This job is all about sacrifice and trust. Many work for 48 hours straight. If an applicant has the audacity to refuse to wash dishes on a test question, he/she would be a damper on the fire company during a tour. Someone not willing to sacrifice in an everyday setting may not be ready to act in a time where lives are at stake.

Well said Batman. People, ALL PEOPLE, need to be more accountable for themselves. Stop trying to blame where you're from or who raised you. If you want to improve your life then just DO IT!!

I have had to overcome some physical handicaps. On several occasions I've had to change direction in my career choices. A heart condition kept me out of the Marines, a condition known as periodic paralysis forced me out of the printing trade. But I didn't blame my parents or the government or society. I didn't go crying to the ADA either. I worked that much harder and now I own a home, married a wonderful woman and found a career I love and were my physical condition is irrelevant.

Batman wrote:

Here is a typical question from an FDNY test. I made this up, but honestly, it's not too far off:
Some fire fighting tactics may appear to be destructive, but often serve specific needs. For example, during "ventilation" firefighters are often forced to open holes in the roof or floors of a structure (called "vertical ventilation") or open windows or walls (called "horizontal ventilation") to remove smoke and heated gases from the interior of the structure.
During a fire, Firefighters ventilate structures by opening holes in:
A) Computers
B) Concrete and masonry foundations
c) Roofs and windows
D) Enchiladas

Margaritas?

How rediculous that the federal government even entertains this BS. I guess they want the test to be rap music and HO dancing. Get a life, study, pass the test and get the job.

qwerty wrote:

There must be a million black people in NYC that would prefer to be a rapping b-baller than actually complete high school. Which is why these savages need to sue to pass a test designed for children.

I b one of dem dog. Ballin.

"In the 1999 test, about 90 percent of white applicants had a passing score, but only 61.2 percent of black and 77 percent of Hispanic test-takers passed, according to the complaint."

Notice no Asians?

Must be a racist examination. Or perhaps Asians, being a minority, actually scored better than whites?

The results may in fact indicate a level of Darwinism at work.

So because minorities can't pass a simple test their solution is to dumb it down. This is great for the future of America. I'm sure the rest of the world will dumb everything down so even the most intellectually challenged can compete. All this test proves is that whites are smarter...which everyone already knew anyway. Some people just don't want to admit that because it's not PC.

Is it just a coincidence or is this payback for Bloomberg's attempts to get Gonzales to repeal the prohibition of information sharing between Federal and state govts regarding illegal guns.