AFD Recruitment Physical Ability Test
The Firefighter Applicants must complete eleven continuously timed stations/tasks within 8 minutes and 27 seconds, wearing full turnouts (jacket, pants, gloves, and helmet) that weigh approximately 35 pounds and carrying (on their back) an air-pack weighing approximately 30 pounds.
Event 1: Dry Hose Deployment
Applicant advances pre-connected 1.75-inch dry hose line for 120 feet. Each 50-foot section weighs 11 pounds, for a total of 33 pounds of dry weight. This event simulates extending a dry offensive hose line from an apparatus to a fire scene for fire fighting operations.
Event 2: Charged Hose Deployment
Applicant advances pre-connected 1.75-inch charged hose line for 70 feet. This event simulates extending a charged offensive hose line to the seat of a fire for fire fighting operations.
Event 3: Halyard Raise
Applicant raises and lowers the fly section of a 24-ft aluminum extension ladder with a halyard. The pull resistance of the ladder is approximately 26 pounds. This event simulates raising and lowering the fly of a 24-foot aluminum extension ladder in order to access higher floors for rescue, ventilation, and other fire fighting operations.
Event 4: Roof Walk
Applicant ascends and descends an 11-foot distance walking/crawling on the rungs of a 14-foot roof ladder while carrying a simulated 18-pound chain saw. This event simulates walking on a roof ladder with the appropriate equipment in order to perform ventilation operations.
Event 5: Attic Crawl
Applicant crawls a distance of 20 feet across a simulated attic area while carrying a simulated flashlight in his/her hands. This event simulates walking/crawling on joists in an attic to search for the extension of a fire.
Event 6: Roof Ventilation
Applicant stands on a pitched rooftop and strikes the roof 30 times with a 14-pound sledge hammer. This event simulates making a ventilation opening in a roof with an axe or sledge hammer in order to ventilate a fire.
Event 7: Victim Removal
Applicant carries or drags a dummy for 18 feet. This event simulates removing an injured or unconscious victim from a hazardous area.
Event 8: Ladder Removal/Carry
Applicant removes a 24-foot aluminum extension ladder from mounted hooks, carries the ladder 54 feet around a diamond shaped course, and replaces the ladder to the mounted hooks. The weight of the ladder between 68-70 pounds. This event simulates removing an extension ladder from an apparatus, carrying it to the site of use, and replacing it to the apparatus.
Event 9: Stair Climb with Hose
Applicant climbs four flights of stairs with a 40-pound hose bundle and places the bundle on the landing of the fourth floor. This event simulates climbing stairs with a hose bundle in order to fight fires in multiple-story buildings.
Event 10: Crawling Search/Stair Descent
Applicant crawls on the platform of the fourth floor for a distance of 60 feet. Applicant places the hose bundle on his/her shoulder and takes it back down the four flights of stairs. Applicant places bundle down at the bottom floor. This event simulates crawling while conducting search and rescue, hose deployment, or attic operations in a burning structure.
Event 11: Stair Climb with Equipment/Hose Hoist
Applicant picks up two air bottles (with a shoulder strap), places air bottles over his/her shoulder, and returns up the stairs to the third floor. On the third floor the Applicant places the air bottles on the floor and hoists a 100-foot section of an extended hose line up and over the balcony rail. The Applicant then picks up the air bottles and returns to the ground floor to end the test. This event simulates hoisting an extended hose line and carrying equipment in a multiple story building to facilitate fire fighting operations.
Only those applicants, who successfully complete the physical ability test within the maximum allotted time (8 minutes, 27 seconds) will be advanced to the B-PAD portion of the testing.