Physical Agility Test Description

 

PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST
The physical agility test is offered after the written examination for those who pass the examination.  It is important that you dress in clothes and shoes that would be comfortable to exercise in.  Applicants participating in the physical agility test will wear a fire coat, helmet, gloves, and SCBA backpack with steel bottle during the test.  These items will be provided by the Department. 

PREPARING FOR THE PHYSICAL AGILITY EXAMINATION
This physical agility examination is more difficult than it appears.  The chances of passing the examination will be greatly increased if adequate preparatory training has been undertaken.  Physical training should emphasize cardio-respiratory fitness.  Strength, muscular endurance, and proper lifting techniques should be a high priority.  Practice makes perfect.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHYSICAL AGILITY EXAMINATION
The physical agility examination consists of 6 tasks that must be completed in order to pass this portion of the physical agility examination.  This event will be a timed exercise and will be scored pass/fail.

At the end of the course, the candidate will be required to perform one special task consisting of climbing a 50 foot ladder at 75 degrees. The ladder climb will be a pass\fail score and is not timed. The remaining tasks that you will be asked to perform are as indicated on the following pages.  Failure to perform any of these tasks within the required time limit will constitute disqualification from the entire testing process. 

MEDICAL EMERGENCY
If at any time you experience chest pain, dizziness, difficulty breathing or any other symptoms of cardio-pulmonary difficulties or injuries please let the nearest evaluator know so medical assistance can be rendered.

WITHDRAWAL FROM THE EXAMINATION
If you are unable to complete any portion of the physical agility examination you will be disqualified from the testing process.

SCORING THE PHYSICAL AGILITY EXAMINATION
The candidate must complete the course within 7 minutes or he/she will be disqualified from the entire testing process.  Successful completion of the ladder climb will constitute a passing grade for this task.  Unsuccessful completion of the ladder climb will also constitute disqualification.

PHYSICAL AGILITY EXAMINATION REFERENCES

 

Several references were used for the Marion Fire Department physical agility examination. They are as follows:

 

            * Burlington Fire Department Recruitment Procedure, Burlington,Ia
            * Cedar Rapids Fire Department, Cedar Rapids,Ia
            * Iowa City Fire Department Test Information, Iowa City,Ia
            * Waterloo Fire Department, Waterloo, Ia
            * Firefighter Combat Challenge, I.A.F.C.

 

We feel that this examination is a fair representation of the tasks performed as a professional firefighter to accomplish our mission at the Marion Fire Department.

 

PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST DESCRIPTION

 

SPECIAL TASK- LADDER CLIMB

 

A. Requirement: Climb a 75 degree ladder to the elevation of 50 feet then       descend down the ladder to the ground level.

 

B. Procedure: Proceed from the designated location at ground level to the base of the aerial ladder where a harness and safety line will be connected to you.  Climb the ladder to the point that your hands touch the marked ladder rung then proceed back down the ladder to the ground level.   Failure to reach the designated height, stopping during the climb or descent, or falling will result in a failure and disqualification from the entire testing process.

 

C. Job Relatedness: Firefighters are required to climb ladders during emergency operations to perform fire suppression and rescue duties.  It is imperative that the firefighter does not have acrophobic tendencies (fear of heights).

 

OBSTACLE COURSE- TIMED EVENTS

 

STATION 1- HYDRANT OPERATION

 

A. Requirement: Perform eight (8) complete revolutions of a fire hydrant valve stem using a wrench.

 

B. Procedure: While standing within the designated area, the candidate must perform eight (8) complete revolutions of the fire hydrant stem with the attached hydrant wrench.  The candidate must remain in the designated area during each revolution.  Any revolutions done while out of the designated area will have to be done over.

 

C. Job Relatedness: Firefighters are required to operate fire hydrants during     emergency firefighting operations.  While the average fire hydrant begins flowing water after approximately six (6) turns of the stem, it usually requires about twenty (20) turns to completely open the hydrant valve.  Fire Hydrants require an average of 80 lbs. of twisting force through the first eight (8) turns of the valve stem, and then become appreciably easier to turn.

 

STATION 2 -  2 1/2 INCH COUPLING CONNECTION AND HOSE EXTENSION

 

A. Requirement: The candidate must perform a series of coupling connections, nozzle removal, hose coupling connection and extension of a 2 1/2 inch hoseline.

 

B. Procedure: The candidate will approach 50 feet of dry 2 1/2 inch hose and     nozzle, which is in an accordion fold.  Candidate must pick up the female coupling and attach it to the designated discharge on the pumper.   Candidate must then pick up the nozzle and extend the dry hoseline until 50 feet of hose is stretched out.  The candidate must then go back to the pumper, pick up another 50 foot of 2 1/2 inch hose line, go to the nozzle of the out stretched 50 feet, remove the nozzle, attached the female end of the 50 foot hoseline and re-couple the nozzle to the added 50 foot hose.  Candidate must then pick up the nozzle and extend the line until the 50 feet is completely out stretched.  This is to be completed as quickly as     possible, and without stopping.  Stopping or failure to perform the hose couplings and hose extension will constitute disqualification from the entire testing procedure.

 

C. Job Relatedness: 2 1/2 inch hose is carried by the engines in various lengths.  A firefighter must be able to accomplish a series of coupling and hose connections, and extending hoselines to the point of the attack.

 

STATION 3- FORCIBLE ENTRY

 

A. Requirement: Move a weighted beam the designated distance by striking with a sledge hammer.  The Kaiser machine will be used for this test.

 

B. Procedure: The candidate proceeds to the designated area, picks up the       sledge hammer, strikes the beam as many times as it takes to move the beam     the designated distance.  The force needed would require the sledge hammer to be raised to shoulder height prior to each blow. This is to be done as quickly as possible and without stopping. Failure to move the beam the designated distance, for every one foot not completed, ten (10) seconds will be added to your time.  If you stop during this task, the evaluator will then add on the penalty seconds.

 

 

C. Job Relatedness: During emergency firefighting operations forcible entry may be required to enter a structure.  Firefighters must be able to demonstrate the upper body strength needed to accomplish forcible entry in a safe manner by using various tools such as the ram, a pick axe, sledge hammer or other tools carried by the Marion Fire Department.

 

STATION 4- LADDER HANDLING

 

A. Requirement: Remove a 14 foot ladder from the rack, carry it a distance of 20 feet and replace it on the identical rack.

 

B. Procedure: The candidate will approach a 14 foot ladder which is hanging on the engine mounted 67 1/2 inches above the ground.  The ladder must be removed from the rack, carried approximately 20 feet, and placed back in the original position on the same rack as quickly as possible.  The ladder must not be dropped or allowed to touch the ground.  If the ladder touches the ground, ten (10) seconds will be added to your time.  If the ladder is dropped, the candidate will be disqualified from the entire testing procedure.

 

C. Job Relatedness: Ladders carried on our engines are mounted 67 1/2 inches     from the ground level.  A firefighter must have the ability to reach and maneuver these ladders at the scene of an emergency.

 

STATION 5- HOSE PULL

 

A. Requirement: Extend 150 feet of 1 3/4 inch charged hoseline

 

B. Procedure: The candidate will approach 150 feet of charged 1 3/4 inch hoseline and nozzle.  The candidate will place the nozzle on the shoulder, then moves forward until the entire 150 feet of hose is stretched out.  This is to be completed as quickly as possible and without stopping.  Stopping or failure to advance the 150 feet will constitute disqualification from the entire testing process.

 

C. Job Relatedness: 1 3/4 inch hose with Task Force nozzles are carried on the engines and are usually the first attack lines used in fire situations.  A firefighter occupying the nozzle position is responsible for extending the line to the point of the fire attack.  This event demonstrates both upper and lower body strength.

 

STATION 6- RESCUE CARRY/DRAG

 

A. Requirement: Carry/drag a 145 pound rescue dummy 100 feet.

 

B. Procedure: Candidates must, while walking backwards and gripping both of      the arms, carry/drag the rescue dummy 100 feet to the finish line as quickly as possible without stopping.  Stopping or failure to carry/drag the rescue dummy 100 feet will constitute disqualification from the entire testing process.

 

C. Job Relatedness: When performing a rescue in a fire situation, most adults     are not carried from the building, but rather, the fire fighter drags them.  To remove the victim to a safe location, this task may be completed by one firefighter, and it is not unusual to travel a distance of 80 to 120 feet or more.