Frank Lewis

PDT Staff Writer

The Scioto County Civil Service Commission met last week to move forward with plans to schedule exams for the Portsmouth Police Department and the Portsmouth Fire Department.

“So far they still have the chief’s exam to give, which is the 20th of November,” Commission Executive Secretary Jo Ann Aeh said. “We have entrance exams that we’re going to give for police and fire. Those are scheduled for the 10th of November and the 17th of November. (Portsmouth Fire Chief) Bill Raision is going to need a captain and a lieutenant, but he doesn’t need those right away.”

Aeh said Portsmouth Police Chief Robert Ware, who, along with Captain Lynn Brewer, is scheduled to take the chief’s exam, needs tests for a sergeant and a lieutenant, and those are scheduled for Jan. 23, 2013. And in 2013 he’s going to need a captain. A captain’s slot has been vacant since David Thoroughman left to become director of security at Shawnee State University.

Aeh said she will administer the entrance exams. At the Commission meeting, it was determined there was no reason for the city to pay an employee of Daniel T. Clancy & Associates, Inc., to come down from Cleveland to give the test.

“They (Commission) agreed that I could give the exam, but they (Clancy) still want to grade them,” Aeh said. “Christine McGee Hall, Vice President of Daniel T. Clancy & Associates, Inc., will grade them.”

Aeh said the tests have always been administered by the Executive Secretary of the Scioto County Civil Service Commission.

“There will be a list of who is going to take those tests once everyone signs up for them,” Aeh said. She said the deadline to apply to take the police entrance exam is Oct. 29, 2012, and the last day for any fire recruit to sign up is Dec. 3, 2012.

Aeh said anyone wishing to apply can get an application online at the city of Portsmouth’s website, or they can pick up an application in the office of Portsmouth City Solicitor Mike Jones. All applications have to be turned in at the Solicitor’s office.

Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 232, or at flewis@heartlandpublications.com