The assessment laboratory function is supplementary and subsequent to the usual mass testing procedures. It is designed to elicit information not furnished by older more traditional methods, e.g., assessment of personal attributes, communication skills, etc. The exam involved participation by the candidates in both individual and group exercises. The individual exercises included a 5-minute oral presentation; the assembly of a fire hydrant, hoses, and nozzle; a multiple choice test on the identification of tools; and the writing of a report. Group exercises included small group interaction, an unstructured group discussion requiring solutions to a variety of problems, and a leaderless group experience requiring the reproduction of a model. All candidates were given a presentation by the department training officer followed by a written examination on the material offered. (NTIS)