FIRE DEPARTMENT
PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST
The candidate will wear a bunker coat, helmet, fire gloves and a Scott SCBA throughout the test. This equipment will be supplied if the applicant does not have his or her own protective gear. An additional high-rise pack will be added during the stair climb event. The events are listed below.
Throughout all events, the candidate shall wear long pants (sweat pants OK), either sneakers or shoes with no open heel or toe, a helmet with chinstrap, and firefighting gloves (supplied). Watches will not be permitted. An evaluator will follow the candidate throughout the test. The evaluator will time, monitor for safety, and provide direction during the events. For safety, additional spotters will be available during other portions of the test.
The events are placed in a sequence that best simulate their use in a fire scene. To ensure the highest level of safety and to prevent candidates from exhaustion.
EVENT 1
Aerial Ladder Climb
Purpose of Evaluation: The event is designated to simulate the critical tasks of climbing the aerial ladder in full protective equipment to access rooftops and other elevated structures. It measures the candidate’s aerobic capacity, lower body muscular endurance and ability to balance. It also serves to identify individual tolerance for performing work requirements at height.
Event: The candidate will be required to wear a bunker coat, helmet with chinstrap, firefighting gloves, 4.5 Scott SCBA and a ladder belt. The candidate will be required to access the aerial ladder and at a signal, climb the ladder which will be set at an approximate 70 degree angle of deflection, touch the top rung then return down the ladder the starting point. Candidate may start with one foot on the bottom rung. Time stops when both feet are back off the ladder.
This is a pass/fail event with a three-minute time limit.
Failures: The candidate may pause as often as necessary. If the candidate is unable to complete the event in the required time frame the candidate will fail the test. The candidate will not continue the testing process.
The exercises from this point are cumulatively timed (405 seconds or less)
Continue to Event 2 - Equipment Carry >>
Go to the top of the page.