Individual Physical Ability Test (IPAT) Instructions The Sioux Falls Fire Rescue IPAT will consist of 7 events including two 100 foot recovery walks in the following order: Event 1 Stair Climb with shoulder weights Event 2 - Recovery Walk #1 Event 3 - Victim Rescue Event 4 - Forcible Entry Simulation Event 5 - Recovery Walk #2 Event 6 - Stair Climb without shoulder weights Event 7 - Hose Advance The events will run sequentially and must be completed in 6 minutes 40 seconds or less. The test subject will present for the testing wearing PT gear consisting of shorts or sweatpants, t-shirt, and athletic shoes. The test subject will be wearing a 50 pound weighted vest, helmet, and gloves during the entire test. The test subject must use the vest, helmet, and gloves provided and cannot bring their own equipment. The test subject is not allowed to use any music storage device with earphones during the testing, such as an ipod or MP3 player. Two 12.5 pound shoulder weights will be worn during Event 1, and removed by the event proctor before proceeding to Event 2. The lead proctor will maintain a stopwatch. There will be one large timer clock visible by the test subject while on the course. The large timer will count down from 06:40 to 00:00. If any mechanical device or piece of equipment either breaks or malfunctions during the testing procedure, and as a result of the malfunction, the test subject fails the test, the test subject will be rescheduled to take the test. This does not include a helmet or weighted vest that comes loose because of improper adjustment prior to the test. The testing subject is allowed to readjust the vest or helmet during the test, however the time will continue to run and if on the stepmill, the stepmill will continue to run. The Lead Proctor will stop the test if the test subject appears to be straining and continued participation may result in a medical condition.
Event 1 Stair Climb with Shoulder Weights The test subject will don a 50 pound weighted vest. The test subject will don a helmet and gloves. The event proctor will place a 12.5 pound shoulder weight on each shoulder. The subject will step up onto the Stairmaster Step Mill. The event proctor will ask if the test subject is ready to go. Once the test subject indicates they are ready, the event proctor will verbalize ready, set, go. When the event proctor says go they will start the stepmill, and the lead proctor will simultaneously start the stopwatch and the large timer clock. The stepmill gradually increases to a rate of 60 steps per minute. The test subject will walk on the stepmill for 1 minute 42 seconds. The event proctor will begin a countdown with 10 seconds remaining. At 1 minute 42 seconds the event proctor will stop the stepmill. The test subject will then dismount the stepmill and the event proctor will remove the shoulder weights. The test subject will then proceed to Event 2 Recovery Walk #1. The test subject is allowed to momentarily touch the stepmill handrails with the back of their hand for balance. The test subject is given up to two warnings for grabbing the handrails or bearing their body weight on the handrails. The test subject falls or voluntarily dismounts the stepmill. The test subject asks the event proctor to stop the stepmill. The test subject commits a third infraction for grasping the handrails or bearing weight on the handrails after the start of the test. If the event proctor gives the first or second warning call to the test subject for grasping the hand rail and they refuse to immediately release their grasp, this will constitute a failure. Event 2 Recovery Walk #1 The test subject takes a 100 foot recovery walk on the designated area around the green cones. After the shoulder weights are removed at the end of event 1, the subject will turn to their right and proceed to the green cone. Take a turn around the green cone, then proceed to the second green cone at the opposite end of the testing area. Take a turn around that cone and proceed back to the starting point of this recovery walk. Then proceed to Event 3 Victim Rescue.
Warning: The test subject s feet must go completely around the green cones in the recovery walk or the lead proctor will yell warning and the test subject will have to go back to the cone and clear it completely. Event 3 Victim Rescue The test subject must drag a 165 pound Rescue Randy a distance of 50 feet. The rescue randy equipped with a strap, rope for the hands, and a plastic protector for the feet, will not exceed 175 pounds. The Rescue Randy will be placed facing up with the head at the start line. The entire Rescue Randy will be placed on the side of the start line away from the finish line. A rescue strap (webbing) will be in place on the Rescue Randy which can be utilized for dragging the victim. The test subject may lift or drag the Rescue Randy in any way, but must be moving backwards while dragging or lifting. The test subject and the entire Rescue Randy must be across the finish line before this event is complete. Once the test subject and the Rescue Randy have crossed the finish line proceed to Event 4 Forcible Entry Simulation. The test subject can fall while pulling the victim backward. If this happens, just get back up and continue pulling the victim to the finish line. The test subject can use the strap to pull the victim. The test subject can lift the victim, wrapping arms around the victim s chest, and walk backwards to the finish line. The test subject can drag the victim by its arms. The test subject cannot walk forward and drag the victim. The test subject will be given 1 warning for walking forward. If the test subject commits a second infraction for walking forward, it will constitute a failure. The test subject must stay within the marked boundary of the victim rescue. The test subject will be given up to two warnings for stepping outside the marked boundary. If the test subject commits a third infraction for stepping outside the boundary, it will constitute a failure.
Event 4 Forcible Entry Simulation The Forcible Entry Simulation is conducted on a prop based upon the Keiser Force Machine. The test subject will take a 9 pound Dead Blow shot mallet and strike the sled a distance of 37 inches. The sled is placed in a metal tray so the front is lined up with the red tape. The subject must strike the sled until the back reaches the red taped line, essentially moving the sled a distance equal to its own length, 37 inches. The face of the mallet must squarely strike the beam. The event proctor will yell good when the sled has been moved the required distance. Once the sled has been moved the required distance, proceed to Event 5 Recovery Walk #2. One warning will be given, if the test subject steps off the forcible entry simulator before the event is competed. One warning will be given if the test subject strikes the sled with the mallet handle. If any part of the test subject s helmet or vest becomes loose or falls off during this event, they will be allowed to readjust or re-don the piece and continue the test, however time will continue to count down. The test subject is allowed to set down the hammer to make these adjustments. A failure will result if the test subject steps off the forcible entry simulator a second time prior to event completion. A failure will result if the test subject strikes the sled with the mallet handle a second time. A failure will result if the test subject loses control of the mallet, and the mallet falls (or flies) completely free of the test subjects hands. The face of the mallet must squarely strike the beam, hooking by using the handle to pull the sled is not allowed. A failure will result if the test subject hooks the sled with the mallet. Event 5 Recovery Walk #2 The test subject takes a 100 foot recovery walk on the designated area around the green cones. After the test subject steps off the forcible entry simulator, proceed to the green cone. Take a turn around the green cone and proceed to the second green cone at the opposite end of the testing area. Take a turn around that cone and proceed to the base of the stepmill for Event 6 Stair Climb without shoulder weights.
Warning: The test subject s feet must go completely around the green cones in the recovery walk or the lead proctor will yell warning and the test subject will have to go back to the cone and clear it completely. Event 6 Stair Climb without Shoulder Weights The subject will step up onto the Stairmaster Step Mill. The event proctor will ask if the test subject is ready to go. Once the test subject indicates they are ready, the event proctor will start the stepmill. The stepmill gradually increases to a rate of 60 steps per minute. The test subject will walk on the stepmill for 1 minute 42 seconds. The event proctor will begin a countdown with 10 seconds remaining. At 1 minute 42 seconds the event proctor will stop the stepmill. The test subject will then dismount the stepmill. The test subject will then proceed to Event 7 Hose Advance. The test subject is allowed to touch the stepmill handrails with the back of their hand for balance. The test subject is given up to two warning for grabbing the handrails or bearing their body weight on the handrails. The test subject falls or voluntarily dismounts the stepmill. The test subject asks the event proctor to stop the stepmill. The test subject commits a third infraction for grasping the handrails or bearing weight on the handrails after the start of the test. If the event proctor gives the first or second warning call to the test subject for grasping the hand rail and they refuse to immediately release their grasp, this will constitute a failure. Event 7 Hose Advance This event has two 50 foot sections of 2 ½ inch hose coupled together. The test subject grabs the end of the hose and places it over their shoulder while maintaining control of the end. The test subject advances the hose by walking/running with the hose a distance of 50 feet on the marked course. After advancing the hose and arriving in the 6 foot by 6 foot marked box, the subject will remove the hose from their shoulder, turn around, face the hose, place one knee on the ground in the marked 6 foot by 6 foot designated area. The test subject must have one knee in contact with the ground at all times while pulling the hose. Pull the hose hand over hand until the
middle coupling crosses the finish line. The test subject must stand up after the middle coupling crosses the finish line. This concludes the event and the overall test. The lead proctor will stop the stopwatch when the test subject stands up. The test subject may walk while advancing the hose. The test subject may run while advancing the hose. Once kneeling on one knee and advancing the hose hand over hand, the test subject will be given up to two warnings for placing a foot outside the designated and marked 6 foot by 6 foot area. The test subject will be given up to two warnings for their knee losing contact with the ground. The test subject must stay within the marked boundary of the hose advance while walking/running with the hose. The test subject will be given up to two warnings if they step outside the marked boundary while walking/running with the hose. The following practices will result in a failure: The test subject walks/runs beyond or through the designated 6 foot by 6 foot marked area. A failure will result if the test subject is given a third infraction for placing their foot outside the designated and marked 6 foot by 6 foot area while kneeling on one knee and advancing the hose hand over hand. A failure will result if the test subject commits a third infraction for stepping outside the boundary while walking/running with the hose. A failure will result if the test subject commits a third infraction for their knee losing contact with the ground.