Hey everybody,
I am an aspiring firefighter. Any idea of what are the physical requirements? Is there a pre-requisite similiar to the Nany Seals?
Here in the states its alittle different with every state, most of the time its different in every county. I am also persuing a career in this field and I know that there are a few physical ability tests.
First thing you take in the states is an s-190 which is composed of a 2 mile walk with a 45lb pack, which needs to be done under a pre-determined time limit. No jogging or running either. They also test on push-ups, sit-ups, and flexibility. This is only the initial test which determines your eligibility.
Through an academy(which you will most likely attend) you will be trained rigorously throughout the course.
Now I am not a pro and I am a newbie to this site, I do offer this little bit of advice though. If you don’t already have a good training regimen look for something that is focused on strength and endurance. If you can successfully achieve the two, that will be your edge against your competitors.
Every fire department is different.
This link describes the fitness test required of applicants in Toronto:
Scroll down for a detailed description of the test.
The Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal has a huge collection of fire-fighting links here:
http://www.ofm.gov.on.ca/english/resources/firelink/default.asp
[quote]Chivas989 wrote:
Hey everybody,
I am an aspiring firefighter. Any idea of what are the physical requirements? Is there a pre-requisite similiar to the Nany Seals?[/quote]
In the US I’ve heard of many departments gearing towards a program called CPAT (Candidate Physical Agility Test) which is a test of “functional” events of a fire fighter. Stuff like sledge hammer work, ladder raising, walking stairs, and carry equipment and deadweight bodies. There are numerous sites on the test, search for what I wrote above. I’ve only done it once, but not for entry purposes, when I was already in the fire service. It is difficult if you do not train for the test. I can’t even say that training for this type of test will carryover 100% into the field, but I am sure it will help lots.
Rumor has it that the CPAT puts the bigger, built guy at a disadvantage because of all the maneuvering and endurance work. It’s true, if the guy just thinks his size and weight room strength is good enough to muscle his way through. Any bozo knows that you gotta have decent GPP to be able to accomplish such demands, and knowing what’s in store in the CPAT exam helps formulate GPP and SPP workouts- no matter what the size of the person. Every candidate has to work at it in different ways.
Some departments before used to use the combat challenge or something similar as the physical entry test. I heard some places stopped because it did not allow easier access for women. Maybe that’s why some old timers kinda shun the thought of females in the fire service. Most of the female fire fighters I know can run with the pack and leave some smoke eaters in the dust too (strength endurance and the job).
Hope some of this helped.