Emergency services exams go online
According to the training academy manager, the new system is fair and reliable.
The City of Ekurhuleni’s DEMS training academy at the Leon Ferreira Fire Station, in Trichardts Road, has entered a new era by transitioning to digital theory exams.
According to the training academy manager, Theresa Geldenhuys, this marks the first time in history that firefighting exams are being conducted digitally in Ekurhuleni.
She explained that 29 students are in the midst of taking their rope-rescue exams using electronic devices, such as laptops.
“I’ve been at Leon Ferreira for 21 years and this is the first time everything is being done digitally,” she said.
“Each student has login details for the programme. They write the exams and receive their results within minutes after submitting.”
Regarding the reasoning behind the move to digitisation, Geldenhuys explained that the SA Emergency Services Institute implemented this change to ensure a standardised approach to exams across the country.
“Whether you’re writing the exam in Ekurhuleni or Tshwane, it’s the same exam, at the same time,” she said.
The academy gradually phased the digital exams in to allow everyone to become accustomed to the new system.
Geldenhuys emphasised that the new system is not only fair but also reliable.
“The instructors now have more time to focus on their work instead of spending hours manually marking papers.
“Previously, marking could take anywhere from three to eight hours per set of exams. This new system significantly reduces that burden on assessors.”
She is proud of the academy’s accomplishments, stating, “I believe we are doing an amazing job here.”
