New Hire Physical Agility Process 2018

Transcription

1 New Hire Physical Agility Process 2018 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 currently in service with the North College Hill Fire Department. These items will be provided by the department. Preparation 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 high priority. Practice makes perfect. Description A. The physical agility examination consists of 6 tasks that must be completed in order to pass this portion of the physical agility examination. Stopping during this test, for any greater than 1 minute, will constitute disqualification from the entire testing process. This event will be a timed exercise, so speed is extremely important to the candidate in terms of a final time. B. 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. C. FAILURE TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE EXAMINATION Applicants unable to complete any portion of the physical agility examination will be disqualified from the hiring process. D. 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. Note: Practice sessions have been developed to help each candidate become familiar with the agility test. It is ultimately the responsibility of the candidate to remain in optimal physical condition to successfully pass the examination.

2 OBSTACLE COURSE- TIMED EVENTS PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST A. STATION 1 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Requirement: The candidate must don proper personal protective equipment for firefighting operations. This equipment shall include turnout coat, helmet, gloves and self-contained breathing apparatus (no air). To ensure all PPE has been donned correctly candidates will be evaluated by a preceptor prior to being allowed to continue to Station 2. Procedure: The candidate will approach their personal protective equipment pre-staged in the designated area. Candidates must quickly and correctly don all personnel protective equipment needed for firefighting operations. When the candidate feels all PPE has been donned correctly they must signal to the evaluator that they are ready to be evaluated by raising both hands. Candidates failing to properly don PPE will be required to correct problem prior to proceeding to Station 2. Job Relatedness: Due to the urgent nature of fire responses, firefighters are required to quickly and correctly don personal protective equipment. Failure to do so can lead to unnecessary response delays and increased the risk of civilian and firefighter injury or death. B. STATION 2 - STAIR CLIMB Requirement: Climb the interior firehouse stairwell three (3) times while carrying 150 of bundled 1 ¾ inch hose with attached nozzle (high rise pack). Procedure: The candidate will approach the base of the stairway and be required to lift the high rise pack from the floor to a carry position of their choosing without outside assistance. The candidate will then ascend and descend the stairway three (3) times with high rise pack, making sure that every stair is utilized on the way up and down and at least one foot touches the landing at each level. Failure to complete this station will result in disqualification of the testing process. Job Relatedness: Firefighters are required to carry bundled hose loads (high rise packs) to the upper floors of large commercial occupancies. Firefighter must possess adequate upper and lower body strength as well as cardiovascular fitness to accomplish this.

3 C. STATION 3 - FORCIBLE ENTRY Requirement: Move a weighted beam (165lbs) the designated distance by striking with a sledge hammer. The Kaiser machine will be used for this test. 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 will result in disqualification of the testing process. 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 a pick axe, sledge hammer or other tools carried by the North College Hill Fire Department. D. STATION 4 - LADDER HANDLING Requirement: Remove a 14 foot ladder from the ground, carry it a distance of 50 feet and replace it on the ground. Procedure: The candidate will approach a 14 foot ladder which is lying in on the ground. The ladder must be lifted from the ground, carried approximately 50 feet, and placed back in the original position on the ground as quickly as possible. The ladder must not be dropped or allowed to touch the ground while being carried. 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. Job Relatedness: Ladders carried on nearly all fire apparatus. A firefighter must have the ability to carry and maneuver these ladders at the scene of an emergency. E. STATION 5- HOSE PULL Requirement: Extend 150 feet of 1 3/4 inch charged hose line Procedure: The candidate will approach 150 feet of charged 1 3/4 inch hose line 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 testing process. Job Relatedness: 1 3/4 inch hose with various nozzles are carried on the engine 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.

4 F. STATION 6 - RESCUE CARRY/DRAG Requirement: Carry/drag a rescue dummy (145 lbs) dressed in firefighter turnout clothing (total weight of approximately 160 lbs) 100 feet. Procedure: Candidates must carry/drag the rescue dummy 100 feet to the finish line as quickly as possible without stopping. Candidates are permitted the optional use of webbing (drag strap) that will be pre-staged near the rescue dummy. Stopping or failure to carry/drag the rescue dummy 100 feet will constitute disqualification from the testing process. 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 100 feet or more. Scoring The physical agility test is Pass/ Fail. Physical agility test will be all timed events. All events must be completed within eight (8) minutes. Candidates who finish with times greater than eight (8) minutes will be disqualified from the hiring process REFERENCES Several references were used for the North College Hill Fire Department physical agility examination. They are as follows: Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), I.A.F.F. Firefighter Combat Challenge, I.A.F.C. Designing the Fitness Program: A Guide for Public Safety Organizations, Fire Engineering Smith v. City of Des Moines, 561 N.W.2d 75 (1997) Zamlen v. City of Cleveland, 906 F.2d 209 (1990) Berkman v. City of New York, 812 F.2d 52, (1987) Thomas v. City of Evanston, 610 F. Supp. 422, 431 (1985) Cf. Guardians Association v. Civil Service Commission, 630 F.2d 79, (2d Cir. 1980) We feel that this examination is a fair representation of the tasks performed as a professional firefighter to accomplish our mission at the North College Hill Fire Department.

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