According to Waterbury Fire Department officials, an investigation found seven cadets cheated on the exam, which is a required portion of training for the fire service.
After the investigation and before discipline was issued, the seven fire cadets resigned, according to Waterbury Fire Chief Javier Lopez.
“This is the first time that it has happened,” Lopez said. “It is extremely disappointing for us.
“We strongly feel that firefighters should possess a strong set of moral values,” he said. “Firefighters are held to the highest standards and should conduct themselves with integrity. Unfortunately they fell short of our expectations.”
Lopez said the department is insisting on better training protocols including having the department’s training officers in the room during an exam so they can assist.
“We also insist the vendors, whoever they may be, provide extra training and vetting of their proctors,” he said.
The EMT exam is administered through a third-party vendor, Seymour EMS.
Lopez said this is the first time the test was conducted on a computer.
“The vendor wanted them to be better prepared for the national registry exam,” Lopez said of the change in how the test is conducted.
During the EMT exam on Aug. 15, the proctor observed one of the students had a split screen on his computer, with one side of the screen showing the test and the other a Google page for checking answers, Lopez said.
Lopez said the cadet admitted to cheating, leading the city to conduct a further investigation including reviewing video surveillance to identify others who may have been involved. In total, 13 cadets took the EMT class, with seven resigning.
The proctor conducting the examination was not doing his job, Lopez said, adding that he was observed continuously looking at his computer and his phone instead of looking around the room. And he left the room twice, Lopez continued.
Seymour EMS could not be reached for comment in time for this article.
Waterbury Mayor Paul Pernerewski Jr. also called the incident disappointing.
“We are placing a lot of trust in them,” he said. “They are going to be serving our community.
“They are EMTs. We expect they can perform the medical care adequately. To cheat on an EMT test raises concerns. We are fortunate that we found out about it before they were out in the community. It seems we ought to be able to trust fire recruits to take exams and not cheat. This is not a middle school class.”
Lopez said it is integral that the firefighters are proficient at their jobs.
“EMS calls are the majority of our work right now so to be cheating on something that you are supposed to be proficient in,” he said. “How can I trust that you are proficient at it?”
Instructors in Connecticut classrooms across all age levels are grappling with students using AI and technology to cheat on exams and papers and artificial intelligence has become ubiquitous in job seekers’ resumes, letters and even interviews. The technology has been embraced in some aspects of health care, from screening imaging results to virtual care but still concerns remain.
David Sikes, president of the Waterbury Firefighters Association IAFF Local 1339, said he believes adding a member from the training division to oversee the process is the best way forward.
“Integrity is important to the union, its members and for the service we provide to the public,” he said.
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