Physical Ability Test
Video
View a short video that highlights the physical ability test.
The physical ability assessment will be administered as a part of the candidate assessment process for a Firefighter/EMT position with Chesterfield Fire and EMS.
Procedure
The physical ability assessment will consist of seven skill stations. These stations are a representation of common physical tasks required of Firefighter/EMTs. The procedure is as follows:
- The first six skill stations are one continuous, timed measured event. Successful completion of all six stations in seven minutes or less is required to move forward and complete the entire assessment. Additional causes for failure are listed for each station.
- Skill station seven is an individual event and is not timed.
- The candidate shall don a weighted vest (50 pounds), helmet and gloves prior to attempting the timed event. The department will provide all of the equipment items.
- Recommended attire for this test shall be athletic clothing and tennis shoes. Candidates are asked to remove jewelry (i.e., watches, bracelets and rings).
- All stations shall be scored pass or fail.
Skill Stations
- Ceiling Breach & Pull Event
- Hurst Tool Event
- Hose Drag Event
- High-Rise Pack Event
- Ladder Raise Event
- Rescue Event
- Aerial Ladder Climb Event
Timed Event
Ceiling Breach & Pull Event
The candidate removes the pike pole from the bracket. Timing for the events will begin when the candidate enters the boundary established by the equipment frame which is painted yellow. The candidate must stand within the boundary established by the equipment frame and place the tip of the pole on the green painted area of the hinged door in the ceiling.
The candidate will then completely push the hinged door up into the ceiling with the pike pole three times. Next, the candidate will hook the pike pole to the ceiling device painted green and pull the pole down completely five times. This constitutes one set. To complete this event the set is repeated four times. Each set consists of three pushes and five pulls.
Dropping The Pike Pole & Ending The Event
The candidate is permitted to stop and, if needed, adjust their grip on the pike pole. If the candidate releases their grip or allows the pike pole handle to slip without the pike pole falling to the ground, it does not result in a warning or constitute a failure. The candidate may re-establish their grip and resume the event. One warning is given if the candidate drops the pike pole to the ground.
If the pike pole is dropped, it must be picked up without the evaluator’s assistance within 10 seconds to resume the event. If the candidate does not successfully complete a repetition, the evaluator will call out “miss” and the candidate must fully push or pull the apparatus again to complete that repetition. The event ends when the candidate completes the final pull stroke repetition as indicated by the evaluator who calls out “complete.” The candidate then proceeds to the next event.
Critical Failures
Critical failure can include:
- Stepping on or outside of the yellow painted boundary during the event
- Dropping the pike pole and being unable to pick it up and resume the event within 10 seconds
- Dropping the pike pole a second time
Timed Event
Hurst Tool Event
The candidate will pick up and carry a Hurst tool training prop a distance of 50 feet, cross over a yellow painted line and put the prop down. The candidate and the prop must cross over the line completely before putting the prop down (opposite the starting point). The candidate will then immediately pick the prop up and return to the starting point.
The candidate must make sure that they and the prop have fully crossed the yellow painted line before putting the prop down. When the prop is placed down across the start line the event has been completed. The candidate then proceeds to the next event.
Critical Failures
Critical failures can include:
- Dropping the prop or putting the prop down other than as described above
- Dropping or putting the prop down on the yellow painted line or while standing on the yellow painted line
- Not crossing the yellow painted line fully prior to putting the prop down
Timed Event
Hose Drag Event
The candidate will drag uncharged lengths of 2.5 feet hose with nozzle attached, a distance of 150 feet. After the candidate and nozzle cross the 150 foot mark, indicated by a yellow painted line, the candidate will lay the nozzle down to complete the event. The candidate then proceeds to the next event.
Critical Failure
Critical failure includes dropping the nozzle/laying the nozzle down other than as described above, or being unable to drag the hose across the line completely.
Timed Event
High-Rise Pack Event
The candidate will pick up and carry a modified hose pack to include, 100 feet of 1.88 inch hose without a nozzle or appliances, from the designated area, indicated by a yellow painted box at the base of the training tower, to the third landing of the training tower.
The candidate must completely cross the yellow painted line on the third level landing of the tower, then return the hose pack to the starting position and lay it on the ground within the yellow painted box. The candidate then proceeds to the next event.
Critical Failures
Critical failures include the following:
- Not placing the hose pack back inside the yellow painted box
- The hose pack cannot be laid down or dropped on the stairs at any point during the event
Timed Event
Ladder Raise Event
The candidate must completely raise and lower a 28-foot aluminum extension ladder prop, using a hand over hand method of extension and retraction. The candidate must stand on the concrete slab within the designated area at the base of the ladder, which is indicated by a yellow painted box. After completely raising and lowering the ladder, the candidate then proceeds to the next event.
Critical Failures
Critical failures include the following:
- Stepping on or out of the yellow painted box during the event
- Candidates are not permitted to let the ladder halyard (rope) slip through their hands
- Not completely raising and lowering the ladder
Timed Event
Rescue Event
The candidate will drag or carry a 100 pound rescue dummy 200 feet across the yellow painted finish line. The candidate may stop their forward progress to adjust their grip on the rescue dummy for 10 seconds or less. At the end, the entire rescue dummy and candidate must cross the yellow painted finish line completely, which will end the timed events.
Critical Failures
Critical failures include the following:
- Not fully crossing the yellow painted finish line with the rescue dummy
- Stopping longer than 10 seconds to re-adjust your grip on the rescue dummy
- Dropping the rescue dummy to the ground while adjusting your grip
Non-Timed Event
Aerial Ladder Climb Event
The candidate will climb an aerial ladder extended to 75 feet at a 60-degree angle, touch the top ladder rung and climb back down. Climbing will be continuous with no stops. The department will provide the required helmet, gloves, and ladder belt (with lifeline attached).
Pauses on the ladder, for no longer than 10 seconds, are permitted only to check/re-establish safe footing. Personnel monitoring the climb will fail the candidate if it is evident that the candidate is not ascending/descending the ladder at a safe and reasonable pace.
Critical Failure
Critical failure is stopping while climbing and not touching the designated rung at the top of the ladder.