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9 Investigates allegations of firefighters cheating on tests

An alleged cheating ring involving Orange County firefighter made use of a website sources described as a collection of test questions. The website has the same questions that would show up during certification in pediatric advanced life support, according to those sources.
 
That means it was allegedly designed to help firefighters avoid having to study the actual procedures for keeping a young child alive in an emergency.
 
Those sources told Channel 9's Field Sutton that it was a firefighter from the Orlando Fire Department who put the site online.
 
They said three Orange County firefighters were granted access to the site. The county would neither confirm nor deny that number. Officials would only say, "A situation was brought to our attention regarding these allegations. We take such matters very seriously. We are currently conducting an investigation and will release our findings following the conclusion of the investigation."
 
Questions about whether the test was administered or firefighters were on the streets with bogus certifications remain unanswered.
 
The county has not responded to Channel 9's questions about what those fire fighters stood to gain by getting certified, nor have they responded to a request for confirmation that one of the three firefighters has resigned.
 
When asked about the reportedly high-ranking firefighter accused of facilitating the cheating, Orlando Fire Department officials said, "The Orlando Fire Department has received a complaint on allegations of malfeasance and has initiated an internal affairs investigation."
 
The American Heart Association creates guidelines for the test but told Channel 9 that the testing is up to individual instructors working from course materials.