Firefighter Physical Ability Test

Firefighter Physical Fitness Test

STRUCTURE FIRFIGHTING PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST:

1. Hose Advance - The candidate is required to pull an S-laid, charged 1 ¾ inch attack line, using an over the shoulder grip a distance of 100 feet and possibly into a confined space.

2. Ladder Extension - A 24-foot extension ladder is affixed and secured to the drill tower in a vertical position rendering it immobile. Using hand over hand motion, the candidate must extend the fly section vertically until the fly section strikes the stops and locks in place and then retract the fly section returning it to the start position.

3. Forcible Entry - The candidate will use a 9-pound molded plastic sledgehammer to drive a 160 pound steel beam on the Keiser Force Machine a horizontal distance of five feet.

4. Victim Rescue - The candidate will drag a 185-pound rescue mannequin a set distance.

3. High-rise Pack Carry/Stair Climb - The candidate is required to pick up a standard high-rise pack weighing about 75 pounds and carry it up five (5) floors using the exterior stairs of the drill tower. The candidate drops the high-rise pack on the 5th floor landing.

Crawl - The candidate is required to get on hands and knees and crawl 36 feet around traffic cones placed on the floor of the 5th floor of the training tower. The crawl is out and back, starting and finishing and the same point.

The most qualified candidates that successfully complete the physical ability test will be invited to interview.

WILDLAND FIRFIGHTING PHYSICAL TEST:

1. Wild land firefighting is arduous work requiring above average physical fitness. Often the work is performed in extreme weather conditions and on steep terrain. To assure wild land firefighters can perform the work safely, the Federal government requires wild land firefighters to pass a work capacity or "pack test" test. This fitness test, developed by exercise experts, measures aerobic capacity (endurance) and muscular fitness. The test is simple. The candidate must hike 3 miles with a 45-pound load (pack/vest) in 45 minutes. The test is performed on a pre-measured relatively level course.

2. Additional requirements may apply for State, City or Private departments often requiring running, hose pulls and equipment remove and replacement.

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Physical Agility Test (PAT) This is not an example of the CPAT or Biddle Tests

The entry-level firefighter physical ability test (PAT) consists of three (3) events that require candidates to perform simulations of important tasks that are part of the firefighter job. These events require strength, endurance, and coordination. Each event is timed and each event is scored pass/fail. Passing scores are set in a manner that is consistent with normal expectations of proficiency within a local entry-level firefighter workforce. Cut-off scores have been determined by using times established by the local firefighter workforce. Job candidates must pass all events to pass the PAT. Candidates who take the PAT will wear a helmet, gloves, bunker coat, and a self-contained breathing apparatus. This closely corresponds to actual personal protective gear that firefighters must wear on an emergency fire scene. When the test is administered, candidates must walk immediately from one event to the next. The test administrator shows the candidate his/her score on the stopwatch at the conclusion of each event. Event times are verified and documented on the candidate’s score sheet.

EVENT #1 CHARGED HOSE PULL - This event simulates the muscular strength necessary to advance a charged hose line. The candidate will pull a charged 1¾-inch hose line a distance of 100 feet. Candidates are shown how to hold the hose. A candidate’s score is the time it takes to pull the hose 100 feet. This time is compared to a maximum allowable time (23 seconds). Any time equal to or less than the maximum allowable time results in a “pass” score.

EVENT #2 FORCIBLE ENTRY AND VENTILATION - This event simulates the muscular strength necessary to open holes in structures using forcible entry tools. The candidate uses an 8-pound sledgehammer to drive a beam a distance of 5 feet. Candidates are shown how to use the hammer and how to position their feet. The candidate’s score is the time it takes to move the beam the required distance. The time is compared to a maximum allowable time (47 seconds). Any time equal to or less than the maximum allowable time results in a “pass” score.

EVENT #3 FIRE EXTINGUISHING AND RESCUE - This event simulates the strength, endurance, and coordination necessary to perform tasks necessary for fire extinguishing and victim rescue. The five components of the event are: (1) dry hose drag; (2) ascend stairs with high rise hose pack; (3) tool hoist; (4) descend stairs with high rise hose pack; and (5) victim rescue. These components are performed in a timed sequence starting with (1) dry hose drag and ending with (5) dummy drag. Candidates are shown how to drag hoses, carry hose bundles, hoist equipment, and drag victims. The candidate’s score is the time it takes to complete the five test components.

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Firefighter Exam Practice - Test Your Skills

Bryan Hurley E-mail: bryan_hurley@yahoo.com start: 0000-00-00 end: 0000-00-00