By David Matthews
New York Daily News
WATERBURY, Conn. — Six fire department cadets in Connecticut have resigned after cheating on an exam.
They allegedly cheated on an emergency medical technician (EMT) exam, Waterbury Mayor Paul Pernerewski said.
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The cadets were accused of looking up answers with computers and cellphones during the proctored exam.
“You would expect that you wouldn’t have this problem with professionals, but it is what it is,” Pernerewski told CT Insider. Fortunately, they found out and they were able to do the investigation and get it taken care of.”
The exam, which is administered through a local ambulance company, is a required component of firefighter training.
“It is very disappointing that this situation occurred,” Pernerewski said in a statement. “Firefighters are held to the highest standards of integrity and professionalism, and honesty is a fundamental part of serving our community.”
The mayor said there had been 13 cadets in the training program. The seven who were cleared of wrongdoing by the fire department and the city’s human resources department have been sworn in as probationary firefighters.
Pernerewski said the six cadets who were found to have “violated exam protocols resigned before the disciplinary process was completed, which closed the matter without appeals.
“While this is not the type of conduct we expect from our recruits, I am grateful that the fire department and human resources department quickly investigated the matter and took the appropriate steps to ensure accountability,” Pernerewski said.
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