It was a massive medical failure for hundreds of FDNY medics who hoped to get promoted, as a measly eight out of 721 city Emergency Medical Service workers passed the most recent lieutenant exam.

The 1.1 percent pass rate for the 2008 test is about 38 percentage points lower than the last time the exam was given, in 2004, when 1,044 medics took the test and 409, or 39 percent, passed, The Post has learned.

The FDNY was at a loss to explain how so many medics bombed the test.

"It's our understanding that this test was fairly similar to the one given four years ago," said FDNY spokesman Steve Ritea.

The poor results could leave the FDNY short on supervisors. Lieutenants function as mid-level managers in the field and are responsible for evaluating the performance of the rank-and-file emergency medical technicians and paramedics. The FDNY can request another exam from the city if empty slots pile up.

Some steamed EMTs are considering filing a protest against the recent exam, which could force a do-over. "The questions in this exam were based on obscure, outdated information," fumed one veteran medic who got a failing grade.

The lieutenant exam is designed to assess candidates' "sensitivity," as well as their ability to analyze information, delegate authority and exhibit good judgment, according to city documents.

Last week's dismal results could be attributed to a lack of interest in actually getting promoted by FDNY medics, say some EMS workers.

Lieutenant pay starts at $48,900 annually, according to the city's exam notice. Top paramedics can expect a base salary of $59,000, and several thousand dollars more in meal money, overtime and shift-differential pay.

Republished with permission from the New York Post