Sec.7-323l-21a. Appeal

(a) A candidate may appeal any examination grade in writing to the fire service analyst not later than 30 calendar days after the mailing of grades. The fire service analyst shall schedule and conduct a hearing not later than 30 calendar days after receipt of the appeal. At such hearing, the fire service analyst shall take evidence and testimony and may permit the candidate to inspect the candidate’s practical skills grading summary sheet to verify the mathematical accuracy of the grade. The candidate may, upon request, be apprised as to which section needs further preparation for both practical and written examination. The fire service analyst shall issue a written decision by certified mail not later than 30 calendar days after the hearing.

(b) In the event the candidate is not satisfied by the written decision issued by the fire service analyst pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, a candidate may make a further appeal in writing to the state fire administrator, not later than 30 calendar days after receipt of the written decision. The state fire administrator shall schedule a hearing on such appeal not later than 30 calendar days after the receipt of the appeal. Such hearing shall be conducted by a hearing board. The hearing board shall be composed of the state fire administrator and three certified fire service instructors appointed by the state fire administrator. The hearing board shall take evidence and testimony and issue a written decision by certified mail not later than 30 calendar days after the hearing.

(c) In the event the candidate is not satisfied by the written decision issued by the hearing board pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the candidate may make a final appeal in writing to the commission not later than 30 calendar days after receipt of the written decision. The commission shall conduct a hearing during a regularly scheduled commission meeting not later than 60 calendar days after the receipt of the appeal, and shall notify the candidate of such hearing date not less than twenty days prior to the date of said hearing. The commission shall take evidence and testimony and issue a written decision by certified mail not later than 30 days after the hearing.

(Effective October 5, 2018)